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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents Additional Documents section for each application.
Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at
[email protected] or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.
Sponsorship for Employment
The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Disclosure of Salary Information
In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
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Date: Jul 21, 2026
Location:
Chicago, IL, US, 60603
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Job Requisition ID: 57385
Job Requisition ID: 57385
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 08/04/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $11,000 per month ($114,000 - $132,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook; Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment/ Agency
A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.
Position Overview
The Department of Early Childhood is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Project Management to support the agency’s mission of delivering high-quality early childhood services. This role provides executive-level project and operational support, driving process improvement, performance management, and cross-divisional collaboration. The ideal candidate will partner with senior leadership to implement strategic initiatives, align policy and operations, and enhance service delivery across the Department. If you are passionate about public service and leading complex projects that impact children and families, this is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Essential Functions
Subject to Management Approval, plans, develops, organizes, controls, and manages the agency’s Project Management Office (PMO) framework and governance processes.
Serves as the business owner for any PMO support tools, such as Microsoft Planner, to maintain project management tracking and support executive-facing dashboard creation.
Serves as the executive project management resource for IDEC managerial staff, developing templates, including materials for establishment of governance structures, project documentation, and standardized practices for complex initiatives. This position directly or indirectly facilitates project management meetings and ensures projects are aligned with agency priorities, scope, and timelines.
Establishes project lifecycle processes for onboarding new projects and offboarding completed projects across all divisions.
Serves as full line supervisor.
Supports IDEC business owners directly and indirectly in establishing project management support for implementation of systems and technology solutions.
Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college, with coursework in public administration, early childhood education, social work, program management, business administration, or a related field.
Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in project or program management, policy analysis, operational oversight, or process improvement within public-sector, social service, or education-focused organizations.
Requires professional credential or education validating expertise in leading projects, such as Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM) to advanced Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP), Scrum, Waterfall, Masters in Business Administration (MBA), or comparable certification or degree.
Preferred Qualifications
Prefers three (3) years of experience in advanced project and program management within a complex public-sector, government, or large-scale human services organization, including supporting cross-functional and interagency initiatives.
Prefers three (3) years of professional experience meeting deadlines with strong attention to detail and the ability to utilize critical thinking skills while multi-tasking multiple projects.
Prefers three (3) years of experience in strategic planning, performance management, and KPI development, including translating agency goals into measurable operational outcomes and using data to inform executive decision-making.
Prefers three (3) years of experience applying process improvement and operational excellence methodologies, such as Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable continuous improvement frameworks, across multiple divisions or programs.
Prefers three (3) years of experience partnering with executive leadership, including Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Directors, or equivalent senior leaders, to develop governance structures, recommend policy and program improvements, and support agency-wide change initiatives.
Prefers three (3) years of experience demonstrating leadership, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to guide cross-divisional teams, manage competing priorities, and build consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
Employment Condition
Requires the ability to successfully pass an agency criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
- The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
About the Agency
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026.
Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603 or 4800 West Wabash Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62711
Work County: Cook or Sangamon
Email: [email protected]
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Early Childhood’s discretion.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
