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Director Of Program Development Jobs in Illinois

Noble Schools

Director of Development

Chicago, IL

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working in close partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and program leadership, the Director of Development is responsible for executing Noble ...

Noble Schools

Director of Development

Chicago, IL

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working in close partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and program leadership, the Director of Development is responsible for executing Noble ...

New

Chicago Run

Director of Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

POSITION DESCRIPTION Director of Development Chicago Run Type: Full-Time Start Date: When ... Our programs meet young people where they are, partnering with schools and community organizations ...

UCAN

Director of Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

Vice President of Development Direct Reports: Development Manager,Development & Marketing ... Orients and trains new employees according to program and department guidelines to ensure all new ...

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All JobsOf Program Development JobsDirector Of Program Development JobsDirector Of Program Development Jobs in Illinois

Director Of Program Development information

See Illinois salary details

$28.6K

$75.8K

$132.8K

How much do director of program development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of program development in Illinois is $75,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,400.00 and $89,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of program development do?

A director of program development oversees the planning, design, and implementation of programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, develop strategies, manage budgets, and ensure programs meet organizational goals and standards. Strong leadership, project management skills, and knowledge of industry best practices are essential for this role.

What are the typical challenges a director of program development faces when launching new initiatives within an organization?

Directors of Program Development often encounter challenges such as aligning new initiatives with the organization's strategic goals, securing stakeholder buy-in, and managing cross-functional teams with varying priorities. Navigating budget constraints, adapting to shifting market demands, and ensuring programs are both scalable and sustainable are also common hurdles. Successful directors leverage strong communication, project management, and analytical skills to address these challenges and drive impactful results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of program development?

To excel as a Director Of Program Development, you need expertise in program management, strategic planning, and budget oversight, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management software, data analysis tools, and compliance systems is typically required. Outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are crucial for successfully designing, implementing, and scaling programs that align with organizational goals.

What qualifications do you need to be a director of program development?

A director of program development typically needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, management, or a specific industry area, along with several years of experience in program management or development. Strong leadership, strategic planning skills, and proficiency with project management tools are also important, and some roles may require a master's degree or professional certifications like PMP.

What is the difference between Director Of Program Development vs Program Manager?

AspectDirector Of Program DevelopmentProgram Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, develops strategic program plans, manages teams, and aligns programs with organizational goals.Manages individual projects or programs, coordinates resources, and ensures project deliverables meet objectives.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in business, management, or related field; advanced degrees or certifications like PMP are common.Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; PMP or similar certifications are frequently preferred.
Work EnvironmentTypically in corporate, nonprofit, or government settings, involving strategic planning and leadership.Involves project coordination within similar environments, focusing on execution and delivery.

The main difference between a Director Of Program Development and a Program Manager lies in scope and strategic focus. The Director oversees multiple programs and aligns them with organizational goals, while the Program Manager handles specific projects within those programs. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Program Development jobs in Illinois? For Director Of Program Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Of Program Development jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Program Development jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Director Of Program Development jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Director Of Program Development job openings:
Director Of Program Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Program Development job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,773 per year, or $36.4 per hour.

Director of Development

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL

$110K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

The salary range for this role is $110,000-$135,000 and is commensurate with experience

Benefits: Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects capable of commitments of $100,000+. Directors manage a portfolio of prospects and support the university’s fundraising priorities across all academic units. Directors are assigned based on institutional priorities and will have primary fundraising responsibility for one or more academic units.

Key Responsibilities

1) Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management – 75%

  • Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects (approximately 125), with capacity of $100,000+.
  • Conduct approximately 100 donor visits per year, including at least 20 formal solicitations (may include blended or planned gifts).
  • Qualify prospective donors through discovery to assess philanthropic interest, capacity, and alignment with university priorities.
  • Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with academic unit priorities.
  • Achieve annual revenue goals aligned with experience and unit priorities (generally ~$1M–$3M).
  • Maintain strong stewardship practices and solicit annual leadership gifts from assigned prospects.

2) Prospect Strategy, Research, & Analytics – 10%

  • Partner with Managing Director and Prospect Research & Management (PRM) for portfolio optimization and pipeline development.
  • Participate in regular portfolio reviews with the Managing Director and PRM.
  • Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and donor correspondence in collaboration with Donor Relations and Gift Administration.
  • Ensure timely and accurate documentation of all prospect activity in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT; adhere to stage movement and data integrity standards.
  • Prepare briefing materials for meetings involving deans, faculty, or university leadership.
  • Participate in Advancement meetings, prospect strategy reviews, and professional development trainings.

3) Academic Partnerships – 15%

  • Serve as key liaison for one or more academic units; align fundraising strategies with dean-defined priorities and program needs.
  • Develop deep knowledge of university and unit priorities. Partner with faculty and program leaders and understand student success initiatives, to align donor interests with institutional needs.
  • Represent Advancement at donor and university events as assigned.
  • Contribute to special projects and cross-unit initiatives that advance institutional and campaign fundraising goals.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum of 5 years of fundraising (or closely related) experience with direct donor engagement and solicitation.
  • Demonstrated success closing major gifts.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree.
  • 7+ years of frontline major gift experience.
  • Experience with STEM and/or professional school donors.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Work Environment & Conditions

  • Periodic out-of-state travel.
  • Occasional evening or weekend work.