Director Continuing and Professional Education
Posting Category: E
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.
Application deadline: 8/11/2026
Application Procedure: Applicants will be asked to submit a letter of application, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references via the application system. Transcripts may be requested from finalists.
Annual Starting Salary: $90,000
Summary:
The Director of Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) is responsible for expanding the delivery of high-quality non-credit and professional learning at scale, managing and expanding partnerships, and planning and executing complex, multi-phase program development initiatives across extended timelines. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across three interconnected program lines, including 1) continuing and professional education portfolio (including the ION eLearning program), 2) Office of Medicaid Innovation (OMI) instructional programming, 3) LMS and technical administration, and 4) Innovate Springfield instructional programs. Because CAPE is a self-supporting unit, the Director must ensure that programs generate sufficient revenue to cover operational costs while funding program growth and new development.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Multi-Unit Administration - Through independent judgment and decision-making, plan, develop, and administer high-quality continuing and professional education programs across all CAPE program lines that reflect community, industry, and state agency needs. This position carries principal accountability for the strategic direction and operational performance of all program lines. Develop and implement strategic plans for all CAPE program lines in alignment with UIS's institutional mission and regional workforce and educational needs. Provide direct supervisory leadership to the Associate Director of ION Programs, the Associate Director of Program Development and Partnerships, and the LMS Technical Lead; set unit goals, manage performance, and support professional development across all three lines. Analyze program feasibility through needs analyses, labor market data, and partner input; identify and prioritize new program opportunities across all three lines. Oversee enrollment management, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement across all CAPE program offerings. Plan and manage complex, multi-phase program development and implementation projects spanning extended timelines, coordinating across internal teams, external partners, and academic units. This includes developing project scopes, managing milestones, allocating resources, and maintaining accountability across concurrent initiatives. Serve as a senior institutional leader for continuing and professional education, representing CAPE on campus committees and contributing to university policy on non-credit programs. Oversee authorship of the annual CAPE impact report and other unit communications to internal and external stakeholders.
External Partnership Development and Management - Develop, manage, and grow CAPE's portfolio of partnerships with OMI, Innovate Springfield, government agencies, and other critical stakeholders. This duty encompasses full partnership lifecycle management: from initial development through contract execution, program delivery, compliance, and renewal. Serve as the primary institutional liaison for CAPE's external partnerships, maintaining strong relationships with agency and organizational contacts and ensuring consistent, responsive communication. Negotiate and manage partnership agreements, including contract compliance, reporting timelines, deliverable tracking, and performance accountability. Develop and implement cost-sharing and billing structures for CAPE services delivered through partner agreements. Identify, evaluate, and pursue new partnership opportunities in workforce training, healthcare education, government agency programming, and professional development sectors. Coordinate the integration of partner-funded instructional staff and program resources into CAPE operations, including onboarding, role alignment, and performance management. Ensure all partner programs meet CAPE's standards for quality, accessibility, and compliance with applicable institutional and regulatory requirements.
LMS and Technology Platform Oversight - Provide operational leadership and strategic direction for CAPE's learning management systems and technical infrastructure, working through the LMS Technical Lead. This position is responsible for ensuring that CAPE's technology platforms support program quality, learner experience, and the operational requirements of the UI System's shared platform initiative. Oversee the administration of Canvas LMS, Canvas Catalog, and related platforms across all CAPE program lines, working through the LMS Technical Lead. Provide leadership direction for the transition to the UI System's shared non-credit learning platform, coordinating with the Office of Strategic Initiatives and campus IT partners. Ensure CAPE's LMS infrastructure meets accessibility requirements, FERPA compliance, and data governance standards applicable to multi-campus system deployments. Support the LMS Technical Lead in recruiting, onboarding, and supervising technical staff, including LMS administrators, developers, and help desk personnel. Evaluate emerging technologies and platform enhancements that advance CAPE's program delivery and learner experience goals.
Fiscal Management and Financial Oversight - Through independent judgment and decision-making, oversee budgeting and fiscal officer responsibilities across all CAPE program operations, including partner-funded programs. Ensure financial sustainability of the unit while supporting program growth and new development. Plan and manage an annual budget that supports existing programs while generating sufficient revenue to fund operational costs, new program development, and staffing growth. Coordinate with the Business Administrative Associate to develop monthly budget updates; maintain accurate financial records across all program lines. Review and approve financial transactions for CAPE, including expense reports, purchasing, contract approvals, and software agreements. Develop and maintain revenue models across all program lines, including cost-sharing structures for partner-funded programs and fee schedules for external clients. Oversee design, development, and analysis of enrollment and sustainability reports across all CAPE program lines.
Partnership Development and External Engagement - Develop and strengthen UIS's reputation in continuing, professional, and workforce education at the regional and state level. Build partnerships with employers, state agencies, professional associations, and higher education partners that expand CAPE's reach and revenue. Represent UIS at regional and national conferences to promote CAPE as a provider of high-quality non-credit and professional education. Develop and sustain partnerships with business, industry, educational institutions, and government agencies to identify training needs and co-develop program solutions. Recruit subject matter experts and non-credit instructors; ensure credentials meet institutional requirements and that instructional content aligns with program goals. Participate in and provide leadership to professional associations in continuing and workforce education. Identify and pursue grant and external funding opportunities that support CAPE's mission and program expansion. Develop program and course descriptions, marketing content, and promotional materials in traditional and digital channels.
Human Resources and Personnel Administration - Provide ongoing personnel leadership across CAPE, ION, and program partnership operations. The Director is accountable for building and sustaining a high-performing team, maintaining an effective and equitable workplace, and ensuring that HR practices comply with University of Illinois System policies and applicable regulations. Foster a culture of professional growth and accountability; conduct regular performance evaluations and guide individual development planning for all direct reports. Manage human resource transactions for CAPE in university systems, including faculty contracts, service in excess of 100% forms, and related personnel actions in Cornerstone and JDXpert. Partner with UIS Human Resources on classification, compensation, employee relations, and workforce planning matters. Establish and maintain effective onboarding practices for new staff, ensuring role clarity, tool access, and integration into CAPE operations.
Program Quality and Instructional Standards - Provide quality improvement leadership in instructional content and pedagogies across all CAPE program lines. Establish and uphold standards for course design, delivery, and evaluation that reflect best practices in continuing and professional education for adult learners. Guide the Associate Director of Program Development and Partnerships in maintaining instructional design quality across the instructional design team's work. Document and administer continuing education credits; oversee professional advisory committees as applicable. Establish program review and evaluation cycles that use enrollment, completion, and partner satisfaction data to drive continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in education, instructional design, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in continuing and professional education, adult learning, workforce development, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple program lines, teams, or units, including direct supervisory experience.
- Experience developing, managing, and evaluating non-credit or professional education programs for adult learners.
- Experience with LMS platforms (Canvas preferred) in an administrative or program leadership capacity.
- Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and/or fiscal officer responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage partnerships with external organizations, including government agencies, employers, or professional associations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
- Experience in higher education administration, including familiarity with university HR, procurement, and compliance processes.
- Experience working with state government agencies, healthcare organizations, or workforce development entities.
- Experience with Canvas LMS and Canvas Catalog in a non-credit or professional education context.
- Experience with Slate CRM or comparable enrollment management and relationship management platforms.
- Experience leading or contributing to LMS migrations, platform transitions, or digital transformation initiatives.
- Experience developing grant proposals or managing externally funded programs.
- State, regional, or national recognition in continuing education, workforce development, or related fields.
- Experience conducting or applying research in adult learning, online education, or program evaluation.
- Familiarity with DCEO, HFS, or other Illinois state agency funding and compliance frameworks.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Ability to provide strategic leadership and direct supervision across multiple concurrent program lines, including setting unit goals, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
Skill in planning and managing complex, multi-phase projects across extended timelines with multiple stakeholders, including developing project scopes, tracking milestones, and maintaining accountability across concurrent initiatives.
Ability to build and sustain partnerships with external organizations including government agencies, employers, and institutional partners, encompassing contract management, compliance, and relationship stewardship.
Knowledge of continuing and professional education program development, including curriculum design, instructor recruitment, and quality evaluation for adult learners.
Working knowledge of LMS platforms sufficient to provide strategic oversight of technical staff and make informed decisions on platform matters.
Ability to plan and manage budgets in a revenue-dependent, self-supporting program environment, including fiscal reporting, expense approval, and cost-sharing model development.
Excellent oral and written communication skills across administrative, academic, and external audiences.
Ability to make independent, data-driven decisions in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Employment Policies and other information:
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement
The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.
- You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
- Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:
- Social Security benefit and
- Social Security benefit as a spouse
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at [email protected] or call 217-206-6652.
***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***
