Program Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Program director roles in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's healthcare, nonprofit, and higher education sectors, with major employers like Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago, and Advocate Health Care regularly hiring. Illinois sponsors program directors through H-1B and O-1 visas, particularly for roles requiring specialized degrees in public health, education administration, or technology.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Center for Workforce Equity (CWE) at Chicago State University is a groundbreaking initiative uniquely designed to address workforce disparities and inequities through a research-driven approach to issues that affect black and brown professionals. The Center focuses on economic development, racial equity, workforce data analysis by actively preparing professionals for sustained career success beyond the university setting.
The Center for Workforce Equity collaborates with employer partners to develop practical solutions for the unique challenges facing today’s workforce, while leveraging research and experience to anticipate future opportunities.
The Center for Workforce Equity is seeking a dynamic Program Director to lead and expand our efforts in developing innovative, research-driven solutions to the evolving challenges of today’s workforce. In this role, you’ll work closely with employer partners, grow strategic initiatives, and help shape the future of workforce equity.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead Program Logistics & Coordination: Direct the planning, logistics, and execution of workforce related programs for a network of 30+ partner organizations, ensuring smooth operations and alignment with program goals.
-
Oversee Workforce Readiness Activities: Manage the implementation and quality of soft skills training, professional development exercises, and resume review sessions designed to enhance the partner’s employee readiness for the workforce (non-career counseling).
-
Design Experiential Learning Opportunities: Create, interpret, and implement special programs such as corporate mentorships, networking initiatives, and on-site partner visits to strengthen student-employer engagement and drive a 25% increase in student employment outcomes.
-
Foster Strategic Partnerships: Serve as a primary liaison to CSU campuses, employer partners, university departments, and external agencies. Represent senior leadership on workforce-related committees and initiatives.
-
Research Funding Opportunities: Identify and track potential grants and funding sources to support workforce equity initiatives. Collaborate with development teams or grant writers as needed (note: this role does not manage a budget).
-
Ensure Program Growth & Innovation: Contribute to the strategic expansion and continuous improvement of the Center’s workforce equity efforts, ensuring alignment with industry trends and student needs.
-
Other Duties as Assigned: Support additional initiatives or tasks in alignment with the mission of the Center for Workforce Equity.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER
-
Bachelor’s degree.
-
A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position. (Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.
-
Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Certification in workforce development, HR, or learning and development (e.g., SHRM-SCP, CPTD, PMO).
- Experience with remote and hybrid workforce training strategies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
-
Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
-
Skill in scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Skill in oral and written communication.
-
Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.
-
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
-
Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
-
Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups.
-
Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of others.
-
Ability to utilize various computer software packages, such as Accounting Software, query, etc.
-
Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems.
-
Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures and systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT/ DEMANDS
Work Environment
Administrative, On site and Off Site events and occasional travel local and long distance.
INTRODUCTION
The Center for Workforce Equity (CWE) at Chicago State University is a groundbreaking initiative uniquely designed to address workforce disparities and inequities through a research-driven approach to issues that affect black and brown professionals. The Center focuses on economic development, racial equity, workforce data analysis by actively preparing professionals for sustained career success beyond the university setting.
The Center for Workforce Equity collaborates with employer partners to develop practical solutions for the unique challenges facing today’s workforce, while leveraging research and experience to anticipate future opportunities.
The Center for Workforce Equity is seeking a dynamic Program Director to lead and expand our efforts in developing innovative, research-driven solutions to the evolving challenges of today’s workforce. In this role, you’ll work closely with employer partners, grow strategic initiatives, and help shape the future of workforce equity.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead Program Logistics & Coordination: Direct the planning, logistics, and execution of workforce related programs for a network of 30+ partner organizations, ensuring smooth operations and alignment with program goals.
-
Oversee Workforce Readiness Activities: Manage the implementation and quality of soft skills training, professional development exercises, and resume review sessions designed to enhance the partner’s employee readiness for the workforce (non-career counseling).
-
Design Experiential Learning Opportunities: Create, interpret, and implement special programs such as corporate mentorships, networking initiatives, and on-site partner visits to strengthen student-employer engagement and drive a 25% increase in student employment outcomes.
-
Foster Strategic Partnerships: Serve as a primary liaison to CSU campuses, employer partners, university departments, and external agencies. Represent senior leadership on workforce-related committees and initiatives.
-
Research Funding Opportunities: Identify and track potential grants and funding sources to support workforce equity initiatives. Collaborate with development teams or grant writers as needed (note: this role does not manage a budget).
-
Ensure Program Growth & Innovation: Contribute to the strategic expansion and continuous improvement of the Center’s workforce equity efforts, ensuring alignment with industry trends and student needs.
-
Other Duties as Assigned: Support additional initiatives or tasks in alignment with the mission of the Center for Workforce Equity.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER
-
Bachelor’s degree.
-
A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position. (Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.
-
Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Certification in workforce development, HR, or learning and development (e.g., SHRM-SCP, CPTD, PMO).
- Experience with remote and hybrid workforce training strategies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
-
Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
-
Skill in scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Skill in oral and written communication.
-
Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.
-
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
-
Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
-
Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups.
-
Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of others.
-
Ability to utilize various computer software packages, such as Accounting Software, query, etc.
-
Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems.
-
Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures and systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT/ DEMANDS
Work Environment
Administrative, On site and Off Site events and occasional travel local and long distance.
Program Director Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Program Director Jobs in IllinoisProgram Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for program directors in Illinois?
Healthcare systems and universities account for a significant share of program director sponsorships in Illinois. Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago, Rush University Medical Center, and Advocate Health Care have documented H-1B sponsorship histories for program-level roles. Large nonprofits and technology firms headquartered in the Chicago area, including Morningstar and Salesforce's Chicago offices, also sponsor program directors in qualifying specialty occupations.
Which visa types are most common for program director roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for program directors in Illinois, provided the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as public health, computer science, or education. Candidates with exceptional records in research, arts, or program leadership may qualify for the O-1A. Some university-affiliated program directors may also explore J-1 exchange visitor status if the role meets program requirements.
Which cities in Illinois have the most program director sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of program director sponsorship opportunities in Illinois, driven by its concentration of hospital systems, universities, nonprofits, and corporate headquarters. Evanston is a secondary hub due to Northwestern University's presence. Smaller clusters exist in Oak Brook and Schaumburg, where regional corporate offices occasionally sponsor program directors in operations or technology functions.
How to find program director visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters program director jobs in Illinois specifically to employers with active or historical visa sponsorship activity, saving you from sifting through postings where sponsorship is unavailable. You can browse roles by city, industry, and visa type. Given that Chicago's healthcare and higher education sectors are the most active sponsors, filtering by those industries on Migrate Mate will surface the most relevant opportunities for program director candidates.
Are there state-specific considerations for program directors seeking sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois employers filing H-1B petitions for program directors must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage requirements tied to the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan statistical area, which sets the wage floor for the role and location. Program directors at Illinois public universities may also fall under institutional H-1B cap-exemptions, meaning those employers can file petitions year-round without being subject to the annual lottery.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program director jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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