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 JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 59+ Program Director jobs











La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.
The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.
Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County
Job Description
SUMMARY: This position’s primary responsibility is to provide hiring, training and retention for new Skill Advancement Coaching (SC) staff. Provides ongoing training and support to new hires for the first year of employment. In addition, this position will assist with clinical supervision of staff and will provide training for staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 90%
- Assumes 100% of administrative responsibility related to the program’s hiring, training and retention of the full team of Coaches: leads the hiring process; provides new employee training/orientation and all required paperwork
- Assumes responsibility for program’s QI process, both internally and as dictated by DCFS.
- As needed, plans and facilitates didactic training to the Coaches for new employee orientation as well as based on ongoing needs assessments, and will identify additional training resources for the entire team or on an individual need basis related to training. Coordinates with DCFS staff regarding required trainings for team.
- Review and analyze data related to Coaching activities, outcomes, and the targeted audience’s progress.
- Ensure Coaching practices align with program models, DCFS policies, and evidence-informed frameworks.
- Partner with CQI staff and administrators to ensure accurate reporting and application of findings.
- When applicable, provide trainings related to the SC program to stakeholders, such as community-based partners.
- Meets with CWCA/DCFS staff and other personnel to ensure timely and high-quality services are delivered.
- Provides clinical and administrative coverage to the Program Director and SC Coaches. This includes coverage for all Coaches when an SC Supervisor is out, as well as administrative tasks for DCFS and may include taking on Coaching teams during periods of low hiring and/or increased program need.
- Attends weekly supervision with the Program Director. Participates in weekly program meetings with supervisory and management staff. Participates in team meetings and facilitates training and/or case consultation for the Coaches’ growth and development.
- Provides weekly clinical, reflective, and administration supervision for SC Supervisors.
- Plans and manages assigned staff toward accomplishment of La Rabida’s mission including recruitment; scheduling; training and development; counseling/Coaching; appraisal and recognition; and recommending salary, promotional, disciplinary, and other personal actions in accord with existing policies and procedures.
- Ensures the SC program is utilizing trauma informed perspectives and at a minimum of quarterly provides support to the SC team surrounding the impact of secondary trauma.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS: 10%
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Ph.D./Psy. D. or LCSW/LCPC. Psychologists and Social Workers must be licensed in Illinois. Psychologist must have completed an APA accredited internship in clinical child or pediatric psychology.
Related Work Experience: Five years of post-graduate experience with the population of children served by this program as well as supervisor/managerial experience and experience training others. Direct Coaching experience preferred, as well as experience designing and implementing coaching frameworks or training curricula. Experience providing coaching, mentoring, or training to supervisory or leadership staff. Ability to mentor and guide staff in skill development and reflective practice. Familiarity with implementation science and CQI processes.
Licensure/Certification: Must possess current Illinois clinical license.
Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of DCFS foster care system. Excellent verbal and writing abilities are essential, as are a high level of computer skills. Must be an excellent communicator and team player.
Schedule: While hours are generally Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., some flexibility is required with early or late scheduling.
Employee must maintain automobile insurance. La Rabida strongly recommends that the employee maintain the following liability limits:
Automobile liability/$100,000 per person per accident; bodily injury/$300,000 aggregate per accident; property damage/$50,000 per accident; and automobile medical payments/$1,000 per person.
Additional Information
La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.
La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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 JobsProgram Director Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Director Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



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