Associate Director - Project Management (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)
State of IllinoisAbout the role
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 ce
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