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.