Position Title: Director of Professional Programs
Department: Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development
Reports to: Executive Director of Continuing Education
Appointment: Full-Time (24 months)
Status: Exempt
The Director of Professional Programs is a full-time, 24-month exempt position within the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development (CEPD) funded through IT Workforce Accelerator grant funding and related revenue. The position reports to the Executive Director of Continuing Education.
This role offers an extraordinary opportunity for a strategic, relationship-driven professional who excels at building partnerships, identifying growth opportunities, and translating market demand into innovative professional programming. This position is structured as a 24-month performance-based appointment; continuation beyond the initial term is contingent upon demonstrated metrics for revenue generation, sustained employer partnerships, and measurable contribution to the Division’s long-term financial sustainability.
For nearly 70 years, Continuing Education and Professional Development (CEPD) has connected Bradley University with the greater Peoria community through non-credit educational programs and services for professionals, employers, alumni, youth, and lifelong learners. The Division works closely with Bradley’s academic colleges, departments, and units to advance community and professional education and engagement initiatives aligned with the University’s One Bradley framework.
The Director of Professional Programs plays a critical leadership role in expanding CEPD’s non-credit portfolio by building employer-aligned programs, strengthening corporate partnerships, supporting lifelong learning for alumni, and developing sustainable revenue streams. This position further strengthens the connection between the community and the University, advancing operational excellence, enrollment responsibility, and cross-campus collaboration.
Specifically, the Director of Professional Programs will:
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Lead compliance of grant-funded programming during the initial 14-month period, including coordination of employer engagement, instructor and learner support, enrollment tracking, and required federal reporting.
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Develop and steward relationships with employers, unions, trades, and professional organizations to identify emerging workforce and professional skill needs and develop programs aligned to those needs.
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Establish and convene an Employer Advisory Council to provide ongoing input on skills gaps, program relevance, and emerging industry needs.
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Collaborate with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to align non-credit programming with academic strengths, experiential learning opportunities, non-credit to credit pathway development.
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Serve as the division’s lead for Workforce Pell Grant readiness, coordinating cross-campus efforts with university leadership to identify eligible programs, support compliance, and align non-credit offerings with federal funding requirements.
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Identify and pursue external funding opportunities to support program growth and innovation.
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Develop and maintain program performance and revenue tracking systems, including enrollment data, outcomes, and pipeline projections.
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Provide regular updates on program performance and growth opportunities to division and university leadership.
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Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational consistency across non-credit initiatives in alignment with One Bradley principles.
Specific Requirements Include:
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Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
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Demonstrated experience developing employer-aligned programs, professional education initiatives, or partnership-based programming in higher education, nonprofit, or related settings.
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Proven ability to cultivate and sustain external partnerships that lead to program development, participant engagement, and long-term collaboration.
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Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate employer and learner needs into high-quality, accessible learning opportunities.
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Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while maintaining organization, follow-through, and operational consistency.
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Demonstrated ability to balance independent work with regular in-person engagement both on campus and within the community.
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Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships within the regional employer and professional community through regular in-person engagement.
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Willingness and ability to travel within Illinois; must hold a valid driver’s license and be able to lift and transport materials (up to 50 lbs.) for outreach and program support.
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Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in alignment with program schedules, employer meetings, and community engagement activities.
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Experience with program performance tracking, enrollment analysis, and data-informed decision-making.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively and professionally with a wide range of audiences, including faculty, staff, employers, community members, and executive-level leaders, with a commitment to service, learning, and relationship-building.
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Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic units and administrative divisions in a coordinated, team-oriented environment.
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High level of initiative, accountability, and follow-through, with the ability to take ownership of projects from concept through implementation.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and learning management systems, with the ability and willingness to learn additional institutional and data systems as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience in education, professional development, or higher education administration.
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Familiarity with grant development and compliance processes.
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Demonstrated success in developing and sustaining employer-aligned programs or partnership-based initiatives.
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Experience working with adult learners, alumni populations, or community-based educational programs.
TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates MUST submit the following:
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A cover letter that addresses the qualifications of the position,
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Current resume
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Complete contact information for three professional references.
Please upload all documents at the time of initial application.
Employment with Bradley University is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students’ opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.
Bradley University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, FSA, HSA and retirement plan options. Bradley also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees and dependents through the Tuition Remission program. More information regarding our benefits is available here: www.bradley.edu/offices/business/human-resources/benefits.
Bradley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented groups.
