Program Director Jobs in Chicago, IL
Program Director jobs in Chicago are in strong demand, concentrated in the Loop, River North, and the Illinois Medical District across healthcare, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Employers hiring right now include Aon, VML, and BRAVEN. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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.
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Top Industries Hiring
- Fintech
- Education
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
Program Director Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a program director job in Chicago?
The strongest path is targeting Chicago's dominant hiring sectors: healthcare systems on the Near West Side, large nonprofits headquartered downtown, and universities anchored in Hyde Park and Lincoln Park. Candidates who stand out typically combine cross-functional team leadership with experience managing budgets and stakeholder reporting. PMP certification or a relevant master's degree gives an edge in Chicago's competitive, credential-conscious market.
Which companies hire program directors in Chicago?
Companies currently hiring program directors in Chicago include Aon, VML, and BRAVEN, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's hiring mix leans heavily toward health systems, large foundations, federal grantees, and mission-driven organizations with significant local footprints.
Are there remote program director jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though it depends on the sector. Program director roles in healthcare, social services, and facilities management are largely on-site by nature, while those in policy, philanthropy, and tech-adjacent fields tend to allow more flexibility. About 67% of program director openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. Grant-funded and corporate social responsibility roles in the Loop are among the most likely to offer hybrid schedules.
How can I get a program director job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is moving up from a program manager or program coordinator role within a large nonprofit, hospital system, or university. Chicago Public Schools, city sister agencies, and major foundations like the MacArthur Foundation regularly hire junior program staff who can advance internally. Building experience with grant administration, community engagement, or project management in Chicago's dense nonprofit corridor strengthens any candidacy for director-level roles.
Which industries hire the most program directors in Chicago?
The sectors hiring the most program directors in Chicago are Fintech, Education, and Banking & Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's concentration of major health systems, federally funded community organizations, and Big Ten universities creates consistent, year-round demand for program leadership across these fields.
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