Program Director Jobs in Illinois

Program Director jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in healthcare administration, nonprofit management, public health, and technology program management at levels from entry-level coordinator through senior director. Chicago anchors the market and draws the widest range of openings, while Evanston and Springfield add meaningful volume through higher education and state government respectively. Major employers with lasting Illinois footprints include Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and the University of Illinois System. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Program Director Jobs

Overview

Open roles59
Top employerSevita
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring34
Work type47% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 59+ Program Director jobs

La Rabida Children's Hospital
Associate Director of Skill Advancement Coaching Program
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La Rabida Children's Hospital
Added 1d ago
Associate Director of Skill Advancement Coaching Program
La Rabida Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
Doctoral degree in psychology
201-500

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Salesforce
Technology Program Management Director
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Salesforce
Added 2d ago
Technology Program Management Director
Salesforce
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Success
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$171k - $273k/yr
10,000+

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BRAVEN
Associate Director, Program Operations
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BRAVEN
Added 2d ago
Associate Director, Program Operations
BRAVEN
Chicago, Illinois
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Growth Marketing
$63k - $74k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
2-10

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Centerstone
Program Director, School Based Services
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Centerstone
Added 2d ago
Program Director, School Based Services
Centerstone
Alton, Illinois
Account Management
Business Development
Customer Success
$68k - $101k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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University of Illinois Springfield
Program Director, Research and Innovation
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University of Illinois Springfield
Added 2d ago
Program Director, Research and Innovation
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$33.33/hr
Master's degree in business administration
2-10

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See All 59 Program Director Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Program Director Jobs

Program Director Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Springfield
4 jobs
Decatur
3 jobs
Joliet
2 jobs
Elmhurst
2 jobs
Downers Grove
2 jobs
Alton
1 job
Elgin
1 job
Olney
1 job

Program Director Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Sevita
Sevita4 open roles
Healogics
Healogics3 open roles
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Fintech
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Investment & Asset Management

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in program director jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in public administration, healthcare administration, business, or a related field
  • Five or more years of progressive program management experience in a relevant Illinois industry sector
  • Demonstrated experience managing budgets, cross-functional teams, and multi-site program delivery
  • Proficiency with project management methodologies such as PMP certification or equivalent Illinois employer standard
  • Strong knowledge of Illinois regulatory and compliance environments relevant to the program area
  • Experience collaborating with Illinois state agencies, funders, or community stakeholders in grant-funded programs

Program Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a program director in Illinois?

Most program director roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree at minimum, with a master's degree in public administration, healthcare administration, social work, or business preferred by major employers. Illinois does not issue a universal program director license, but sector-specific credentials matter: healthcare program directors often need Illinois Department of Public Health familiarity, while nonprofit directors benefit from CFRE certification. Building management experience through coordinator or assistant director roles at Illinois institutions is the most common path to promotion.

Which companies hire program directors in Illinois?

Employers hiring program directors in Illinois right now include Sevita, Healogics, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of hospital systems, large nonprofits, and state-funded human services agencies means program director demand stays consistent across both the Chicago metro and downstate regions.

Which Illinois cities have the most program director jobs?

Chicago, Springfield, and Decatur have the most program director openings in Illinois. Chicago leads decisively because it houses the state's largest hospital networks, corporate headquarters, and nonprofit sector, while suburban hubs like Evanston benefit from major university and health system campuses, and Springfield generates openings through state government agencies and associated contractors.

Are there remote program director jobs in Illinois?

Yes, though they are more selective than in purely desk-based fields, since many program director roles involve on-site team oversight or community-facing operations. About 53% of program director openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote availability most common in technology program management and grant-funded administrative roles that do not require physical site presence.

How can I get hired as a program director in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a program coordinator or project associate role at a large Illinois employer and advancing from within. Northwestern Medicine, the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services, and major Illinois nonprofits such as Metropolitan Family Services regularly hire coordinators who can grow into director-track positions. Earning a PMP credential or a master's in public administration from an Illinois university significantly strengthens candidacy when competing against more experienced applicants.

Where can I find and apply to program director jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to program director jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across healthcare, nonprofit, technology, and public sector employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly through each listing.

See All 59 Program Director Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Program Director Jobs