Program Lead Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Title: People Programs Lead – People Services 

Fully Remote: candidates in Eastern or Central Time Zones
Required: Bachelor's Degree and experience in program coordination, talent development, training, and/or education
Please note: If this position is posted as either fully remote and/or hybrid, in accordance with company policy, individuals residing within a 50-mile radius of a branch location may be required to work onsite in a hybrid capacity as there may be occasions when on-site presence is necessary to meet specific business needs. Additionally, our remote work policy includes having a dedicated, distraction-free workspace. Remote work is not a substitute for childcare, elder care, or other personal responsibilities during working hours. To view our branch locations, please visit: ioausa.com/locations 

 
About the Role: The People Programs Lead is responsible for the successful planning, coordination, execution, and measurement of enterprise People Services programs. This role partners closely with leadership, internal teams, and external vendors to deliver high-quality, consistent experiences across talent development, leadership development, culture initiatives, employee engagement, onboarding, and performance management programs. This position serves as the operational engine behind People Services initiatives ensuring programs are effectively scheduled, communicated, and executed, while continuously improving program quality and participant experience. The People Programs Lead plays a critical role in scaling programs to support organizational growth and foster alignment with IOA’s culture and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities: 

Program Planning & Execution 

• Successfully manage all aspects of assigned People Services programs, including planning, coordination, execution, and follow-up 

• Develop, maintain, and execute a master schedule/calendar for all programs, ensuring alignment across initiatives and audiences 

• Build and manage detailed program project plans, tracking milestones, timelines, and deliverables 

• Coordinate program logistics including scheduling, participant enrollment, materials, and delivery format (in-person, virtual, hybrid) 

Participant Experience & Program Delivery 

• Manage end-to-end participant experience, including communications, registration, confirmations, and follow-up 

• Ensure consistency and quality across all program experiences, identifying opportunities to enhance engagement and effectiveness 

• Partner with facilitators and content owners to ensure seamless delivery of programs 

• Support or lead facilitation for select programs as needed 

Communications & Program Promotion 

• Develop and execute communication and marketing plans for programs in partnership with Marketing & Communications 

• Build awareness and engagement across IOA through timely and effective communication 

• Create and distribute program-related materials, updates, and resources 

Learning Systems & Program Operations 

• Execute the setup, coordination, and tracking of programs within our LMS 

• Partner with training and development to ensure learning experiences are accurately implemented, delivered and/or reflected within the system 

• Maintain data accuracy and consistency for all program-related activity and reporting 

• Collaborate to continuously enhance how systems and tools support scalability, reporting, and participant experience 

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Track enrollment, completion, and program effectiveness metrics 

• Prepare and distribute program reports, dashboards, and insights for stakeholders 

• Gather participant feedback and evaluate program outcomes 

• Identify trends and recommend improvements to enhance program impact and scalability 

Partnerships & Stakeholder Collaboration 

• Serve as primary point of contact for external vendors related to program delivery and logistics 

• Coordinate scheduling and delivery expectations 

• Partner with key stakeholders:  

• People Services Leadership & Business Partners 

• Training & Development 

• People Analytics 

• Maintain strong relationships to ensure alignment and successful program execution 

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement 

• Standardize processes, tools, and workflows across programs to support efficiency and scalability 

• Maintain and improve systems used for program tracking, scheduling, and reporting 

• Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance effectiveness and reduce administrative burden 

Other Responsibilities 

• Maintain frequent, transparent communication regarding workload, priorities, and program status 

• Deliver outstanding service, ensuring responsiveness and proactive support for leaders and participants 

• Demonstrate a strong alignment with IOA core values and IOA behaviors contributing to a positive team culture 

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree (required). Preferred in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, Communications, Education or related field

• 5+ years of experience in program coordination, talent development, training, or related fields 

• Strong experience managing multiple projects or programs simultaneously 

• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills 

• Experience working with learning management systems (LMS), reporting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite, with experience leveraging Workday to support program execution, tracking, and reporting preferred. 

• Ability to bring structure, organization, and consistency across multiple programs 

• Strong attention to detail while managing multiple priorities 

• Ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable recommendations 

• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work across functions and levels of the organization 

• Energetic self-starter with a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence 

• Positive, service-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement