Reliability Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Overview
Who We Are:
National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.
What You Will Do:
The Manager of Program Administration Scales (PAS/BAS) at the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood (MIEC) provides oversight of the PAS/BAS Certification and Reliability system, supporting the use of nationally recognized, research-based tools that define quality indicators for center-based and family child care administration. The Manager leads in-person and virtual professional learning related to both tools including reliability training, and supervises the Training and Certification, Administration Scales role. The role leads the implementation of certification and recertification processes used across Illinois and nationally within Quality Rating/Recognition Improvement Systems (QRIS) and professional development systems. The role serves as a National Anchor for both Administration Scales. The Manager delivers in-person and virtual professional learning related to both tools, reviews applications and assessments, and maintains oversight of the databases housing all reliability information. The Manager also cultivates and manages relationships with state administrators to guide training strategy, while coordinating a regular training schedule and serving as lead trainer in collaboration with MIEC staff, consultants, and tool authors.
Essential Responsibilities
Training Design and Delivery

• Plan, schedule, and deliver PAS/BAS Certification and Reliability and related trainings (in-person, national, and virtual), serving as lead trainer in close collaboration with other MIEC staff, consultants, and tool authors.
• Work with team members to develop and update professional learning experiences (in-person and virtual training, online modules, webinars, blended learning, follow-up supports, handouts, blogs, etc.) that reach a variety of audiences.
• Create new and update old PAS and BAS professional learning materials (content, PowerPoint, outline, handouts, packing list, etc.) to reflect updates as needed. Co-facilitate and facilitate trainings.
• Conduct PAS and BAS assessments as needed for internal initiatives (e.g., academy participants, reliability checks, certification).
• Work across Professional Learning and Innovation teams to assign one reliable trainer to serve as back-up for each reliability training scheduled. When possible, scheduling happens six months or more in advance to support scheduling across teams.
• Responsible for providing internal reliability training and building inter-rater reliability for MIEC staff.
• Support Training and Certification, Administration Scales in the production, assembly, and delivery of materials for reliability trainings.
• Oversee the maintenance and update of PAS and BAS webpage.
• Maintain records of reliability training scores and share information with the National Anchors during quarterly meetings.

Certification & Recertification Oversight

• Manage certification and recertification processes, including complete one of the required certification reviews for each assessment, generate feedback, determine status and oversee the certification status communication process with PAS-BAS committee, review and clarify indicators, update notes, determine ratings, etc.
• Oversee the system for notifying certified individuals when their certifications are due to expire, aligning to reliability training recruitment and planning efforts.
• Assure that the BAS and PAS databases are updated in a timely manner to maintain the fidelity of MIEC's records.
• Maintains resources, tools, and supports for certification and recertification in both tools.
• Create and maintain an archive of questions from the field (assessors and Illinois Quality Specialists) and responses. Serve as the point of contact for PAS and BAS project anchors across the country.
• Manage the data entry process for BAS and PAS assessment reports (through Branagh).

Relationship Management & External Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with state administrators and partners; use these relationships to inform training strategy, demand, and geographic focus.
• Maintain accurate records of how the PAS and BAS are used in state professional development and/or QRIS systems, using these records to support training recruitment and planning efforts.
• Support Director and Senior Director in the growth of the program and delivery/usage of the tools across states.

Leadership and Supervision

• Coordinate PAS-BAS committee meetings for National Anchors at least quarterly, maintain meeting minutes and prepare agendas.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Certification Specialist(s) to ensure high performance, accountability, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of team operations, including assigning work, monitoring progress, and providing constructive feedback.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members through ongoing guidance, performance management, and professional development planning.
• Conduct annual performance appraisal and regularly monitor progress toward individual goals throughout the year.

Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Monitor national trends, contribute to program strategy, and align training offerings with organizational priorities and field needs.
• Oversee and execute annual and five-year strategic goals and plans related to Administration Scales.
• Support other members of the Professional Learning and Innovation team as needed and appropriate.
• Support the utilization of the Administrator Role Perception Survey (ARPS) used across teams, as appropriate.

System Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Work with Authors and National Anchors to refine the PAS/BAS Certification and Reliability system, ensuring alignment with research-based standards and supporting effective implementation within QRIS contexts.
• Convene quarterly meetings with the National Anchors and tool Authors for the purpose of identifying opportunities for refinement or improvement to the system.
• Oversee the maintenance and regular updates to the virtual registry of certified PAS/BAS assessors, ensuring accuracy and accessibility; ensure the registry is up to date on the MIEC website.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Administration, Business Administration or related field.
• Recognized as a National Anchor in both the PAS and BAS tools. Certification(s) must be current.
• Five plus (5+) years direct experience in early childhood systems in one or more of the following roles: as a center based or family child care administrator; Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) Specialist, Assessor, or Trainer; workforce development systems Specialist; as well as a good working job-embedded familiarity with research-based tools, program quality measures, or observation tools (such as the PAS and BAS).
• Three plus (3+) years experience delivering professional learning/training to adult learners (in-person and virtual) as a lead trainer or facilitator with a demonstrated ability to design multi-session trainings or certification programs and manage training logistics (scheduling, materials, coordination across teams). Ideal prior roles are Professional Development Specialist/Trainer, Instructional Coach or Training Manager, and/or Faculty or facilitator in early childhood or human services.
• Three plus (3+) years hands-on experience with certification or assessment systems, including reviewing and scoring assessments reliably using defined rubrics/tools while also ensuring fidelity to standards or validated tools, as well as comfort delegating and overseeing assessment workflows.
• One (1+) plus year Demonstrated work experience managing partnerships with external stakeholders, in state agencies, professional development systems, and/or national networks, as well as an ability to use relationships to drive program strategy and participation.
• One (1+) plus year demonstrated work experience managing programs or initiatives, including strategic planning (annual and multi-year) and tracking progress toward goals, while also coordinating across teams and managing multiple workflows simultaneously. Experience supervising at least one staff member preferred.

Work Environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
This role requires frequent travel (fifty percent or more) of local, state, and/or national travel. Nights and weekends required on occasion. Long periods of sitting, standing, and constant computer/data entry work. Ability to lift 25-30 lbs. This position requires some availability during evenings and weekends and access to the Internet and phone when out of the office. Additionally, reliable transportation for this role is a requirement.
NLU Inclusion Statement:
National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.
Compensation and Benefits
At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time staff benefits can be found here.
The salary range of the grade for this position is $58,202 to $84,393 annually. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity.
Application Instructions
Please Include the following along with your application:

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Current NLU employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form