Visiting Senior Program Lead, Digital Education Strategy

Visiting Senior Program Lead, Digital Education Strategy

University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Visiting Senior Program Lead, Digital Education Strategy, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional. This senior level Extension position will provide administrative oversight for Extension programs delivered through digital and technology-supported formats within the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration (FSNSHI) and affiliated Health and Community Wellness programs. The position is responsible for shaping strategy, directing implementation, and ensuring quality, impact, and sustainability of that advance food systems, nutrition security, and community health.

Reporting to Center leadership, this position has primary responsibility for planning, coordinating, and advancing a cohesive, high-quality approach to digital Extension programming across units, regions, and partners. The position exercises a high degree of independent judgment and decision-making authority in guiding program priorities, overseeing personnel and budgets, and ensuring digital Extension programs are relevant, accessible, consistent, and aligned with Extension’s mission and public service mandate.

One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations for the development, coordination, and delivery of digital and technology-supported Extension programs within HCW and FSNSHI.
• Oversee the strategy and development of grants related to digital technology education initiatives.
• Lead the Digital Education team within FSNSHI. Supervise designated staff, including conducting staff performance reviews and developing and implementing staff development and staff performance improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with 27 units across Extension, grantors, and subcontractors across the state.
• Work in coordination with the Extension Business Office to maintain sound fiscal decisions that meet grant requirements.
• Lead and oversee the development of the new policy and procedure guides pertaining to digital education.
• Develop and oversee vendor and service agreements related to digital platforms and program support.
• Collaborate with Extension Communications, IT, and campus partners to align digital programming with institutional infrastructure and strategy.
• Represent HCW and FSNSHI in institutional, statewide, and national Extension initiatives and committees.
• Oversee preparation of grant reports, impact narratives, and materials for leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall vision of FSNSHI.

Program Development and Implementation Oversight

• Initiate and direct interdisciplinary committees and workgroups pertaining to grants.
• Give regular presentations, in- services, and trainings on topics related to the position for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent FSNSHI and HCW on the Extension teams.
• Establish and maintain relationships across the campus, state, multi-state region or nation with program stakeholders and other Extension programs.
• Direct the coordination, integration, and continuous improvement of Extension digital education in food systems, nutrition security, and community health.
• Guide Extension educators and staff in adapting and scaling programs for digital delivery while maintaining program integrity.
• Develop guidance, tools, and shared expectations that support consistent, high-quality digital program delivery.

Research

• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that connect academic programs and research to complement Extension programming.
• Monitor trends and best practices in digital engagement and Extension programming and integrate them into program operations.
• Serve on state or national board and workgroups to enhance partnerships and collaborations between Extension and other food and health related organizations.
• Participate in research activities with faculty and collaborating partners. Contribute to publications that advance the research-based evidence.
• Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within discipline.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.

Other Information

• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
• Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Senior Program Lead, Digital Education Strategy is administratively responsible to the Assistant Dean, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in nutrition, community/public health, adult education, organizational leadership, community development, Human Development, Food Systems, Communication, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of full-time professional experience with planning, developing, or implementing community education programs.
• Staff management experience including experience facilitating groups to achieve program deliverables.
• Experience supporting digital, virtual, or hybrid Extension program delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in related field.

Experience:

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Three to five years of experience leading social marketing, digital education, or web-based programming.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work within a team environment. Ability to lead cross functional teams to achieve high level deliverables and an understanding of land-grant University Extension and ability to work effectively with Extension system.

Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This is a temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional position. This position may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or programmatic needs. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $78,000 to $100,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 15, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda Taylor at ataylo@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

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.

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.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1036535
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu