Project Director Jobs in Gurnee, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Assistant Project Director 

Department: STAR NET  

Reports to: Project Director

Job Type: Full-Time, Salary (Exempt)

Job Location: Arlington Heights

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 per year

The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning – We Teach. They Soar: Who We Are: 

The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning, is a nationally recognized, nonprofit professional development and educational services organization dedicated to better teaching and learning in early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education. The Center also provides statewide communications support for schools and districts, assisting leaders with internal and external communication needs. At The Center, we oversee programs supporting high-quality education for at-risk students, including English Learners, young children facing challenges, and immigrant populations. Initiatives include adult education (Adult Learning Resource Center), early childhood services (Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center), special needs support (Star Net Region II), professional development for diverse learners (Illinois Resource Center), and tech-based instructional assessments (Technology Center for Teaching and Learning). 

Position Description – What the role entails: 

• The Assistant Project Director will assist the Project Director in leading all activities of the STAR NET Region II and VI Early Childhood Special Education Training and Technical Assistance Grant. In this position, you will be responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and coordination of professional learning to ensure inclusive practices for young children with disabilities and their families. 
• This role reports to the Project Director. 

Company Culture - Do our values speak to you? 

At The Center, our work is guided by the following core values:

• Dedication – Demonstrating effective and transparent leadership while providing high quality services and support to children, families, educators, educational leaders, and adult learners.
• Education – Delivering evidence-based professional learning, technical assistance, direct services, and educational programs grounded in industry standards and best practices.
• Accountability – Ensuring consistent service delivery, measurable outcomes, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Advocacy – Promoting equitable access to high-quality education, empowering learners and educators, and building strong partnerships that support children, families, and communities.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally and linguistically diverse communities and responding with sensitivity and respect to the unique strengths and needs of all individuals.

These values guide our work in early childhood education, adult education, special education, multilingual teaching and learning, educational technology, and professional development for teachers and educational leaders.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing: 

• Leadership 
• Support the Project Director in oversight and evaluation of all activities and functions of the STAR NET Region II and VI grant. 
• Assist the Director in hiring, supervising, and evaluating project staff. 
• Attend monthly Project Director meetings with other STAR NET Regional Project Directors.
• Provide training and technical assistance through virtual meetings, telephone calls, on site visits, workshops, and resource sharing. 
• Support teachers, teaching teams, and administrators on topics related to developmentally appropriate, research-based inclusive practices for preschoolers with IEPs, including curriculum adaptations, classroom environmental support, and professional development planning. 
• Program Reporting 
• Assist the Director in monitoring program outcomes, grant and contract deliverables, and performance metrics. 
• Support the Director in managing program budgets to meet financial and operational targets. 
• Support the use of performance data to drive strategic planning and continuous improvement. 
• Ensure timely and accurate data to institutional leadership and funders. 
• Assist in managing and evaluating staff
• Along with the Director, lead biweekly KPI reviews, quarterly accountability reports, and annual program evaluations. 
• Assist the Director in managing program staff and complete annual performance evaluations. 
• All other duties as assigned.

The Center Rewards & Benefits- How we value you: 

• Sick days: 12 days per year 
• Vacation Time: 21 days per year 
• Personal Business Days: 2 per year  
• Holidays: all approved holidays 
• Bereavement: 3 days 
• Health Insurance 
• Dental Insurance 
• Life Insurance & Disability Insurance 
• 403(b): Up to 10% match 

The Center’s Work Environment – What to expect: 

• In office position with occasional statewide travel. 
• Schedule: Monday through Friday during standard business hours, occasional evenings or weekends as needed. 
• English is required; any additional languages are a plus. 

THE CENTER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand this job description. I understand that it outlines the essential functions and responsibilities of my position and may be modified at any time to meet organizational needs.

Employee Name: _____________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the role:

• Leadership experience in early childhood special education preferred.
• Strong communication skills. 
• Knowledge of DEC Recommended Practices and inclusive early childhood methodologies. 
• Ability to support teams providing professional development. 
• High level of professionalism and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners across the state. 
• Competency in the use of technology to support training and presentations, including PowerPoint and web-based applications. 

Position Qualifications – What is required to perform the role:

• Degree in early childhood education, special education, or a related field. 
• Experience supporting preschool age children with IEPs and their families. 
• Experience supporting early childhood special education professionals working in classroom settings.