Program Development Specialist Jobs in Chicago, IL

Nonprofit Leadership Program Development Specialist
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About North Park University
Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world. Located for over 125 years on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today Chicago’s northside, NPU has recently been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and is committed to serving diverse populations. Elevating North Park University’s core distinctives of Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, NPU values diversity among its Faculty and is committed to building a racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages the nomination and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

About North Park Seminary

North Park Theological Seminary is the denominational seminary of the Evangelical Covenant Church and is part of North Park University. Located for over 125 years on the tribal land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today’s Chicago’s northside, North Park is committed to excellence in both ministerial and academic formation. NPTS offers the following degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Formation, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Arts in Restorative Justice Ministries (through the School of Restorative Arts at Illinois River Correctional Center). Learn more about the commitments of the Evangelical Covenant Church through these denominational documents: Covenant Affirmations, The Covenant Church and the Bible; The Evangelical Covenant Church and the Ministry of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice; Baptism in the Evangelical Covenant Church; Called and

Gifted; Human Sexuality and the Ethic of Marriage and Singleness.

Position Summary

The Program Development Specialist will play a key role in the grant-funded One Covenant Community project, aimed to strengthen the ecosystem of pastoral leadership, by designing and delivering nonprofit leadership training and capacity-building resources for partner organizations across the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). This position will leverage the expertise and networks of NPU’s Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management to strengthen institutional sustainability and leadership effectiveness within the Covenant ecosystem. This is a, 80% FTE, benefits-eligible 5-year (2026–2030), grant-funded position, which will report to the Project Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Program Design & Development

• Create and adapt nonprofit leadership training modules tailored to ECC conferences, camps, and affiliated organizations.
• Develop curricula focused on fundraising, governance, financial management, and organizational leadership.
• Ensure programs are accessible and relevant for diverse contexts, including small and mid-sized ministries.

2. Training & Facilitation

• Identify and secure content experts to offer capacity-building workshops, webinars, and learning cohorts for partner organizations
• Coordinate with ECC leaders and NPTS faculty to integrate nonprofit competencies into continuing education offerings.
• Provide coaching and consultation to partner institutions on capacity-building strategies.

3. Collaboration & Integration

• Work closely with the One Covenant Community project team to align training with broader grant objectives.
• Partner with denominational leaders to identify common needs and design scalable solutions.
• Contribute to shared resource development for the centralized continuing education hub.

4. Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Collect feedback from participants and assess program effectiveness.
• Adjust content and delivery methods based on evaluation data and emerging needs.
• Support reporting requirements for grant evaluation and sustainability planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Business, or related field preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership, training, or capacity-building programs.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Ability to design curriculum and deliver training in both in-person and virtual formats.
• Ability to work across diverse settings and groups.
• Familiarity with faith-based or denominational contexts preferred.

Salary Range for this position is $47,000 to $55,000, depending on experience.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development