Assistant Director of Alternative Programs

Who We Are:

For 140 years, National Louis University has been driven by one core belief: education changes lives. Since our founding, we've stayed grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity, and we've never wavered from the idea that education is the greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community built on continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to serving those we teach. Through education, we empower change and build stronger, healthier communities. Our hard-working team runs on collaboration and mutual respect, for one another and for every student we serve.

What You Will Do:

The Assistant Director of Alternative Programs manages the operational aspects of the NCE Alternative Pathway Programs. The Assistant Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for alternative pathway partnerships by coordinating supervision and candidate support, fostering strong district and school relationships, developing systems and processes that enhance candidate success and employment outcomes, and leading outreach and engagement efforts that support program growth, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the School Director of Teacher Preparation, Outreach/Enrollment, and Advising, this person will be responsible for alternative district and school partnership development, candidate support and onboarding, outreach and alumni engagement, program implementation, and workforce placement strategies, with responsibility for ensuring program quality, stakeholder satisfaction, and alignment with partner needs.

• Coordinate and lead supervisors, including coordinating supervision support during the school year, assignment of supervisors, and overseeing supervision requirements to ensure requirements are being met for alternative pathway programs
• Visit schools annually and collect feedback from administrators and alternative candidates
• Maintain quarterly communication with district partners
• Develop student guidance processes and strategies including implementing frameworks for programs, ownership of student support plans, communicating resources, and supporting orientation and student onboarding in programs
• Manage program partnerships including school, district, and CMO liaison; work to develop and update program details and guide program growth
• Lead outreach efforts including facilitating and managing outreach events for program development and creating a system and process for engagement with residency and alternative programs alumni.
• Develop a process to match candidates to districts for employment

• Possess a master's degree in education, or a related field
• Minimum of five years working with state licensure programs, processes and/or demonstrated deep knowledge base of the licensure system in Illinois
• Demonstrated ability to work with racially, culturally and economically diverse colleagues and students
• Demonstrated ability of using a variety of technology tools
• Highly organized and able to manage projects, support a team and develop and execute upon protocols for effective operations
• Experience using data for improvement purposes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team.
• Relationship Building: Builds rapport and develops alliances with a broad range of people. Adjusts communication style to meet the needs of individuals at various organizational levels and to meet the needs of clients. Forms alliances by demonstrating concern and respect for others, as well as by highlighting common interests and aspirations. Leave others feeling that he/she will be a trusted ally and is careful to act in ways that reinforce that trust over time.
• Problem Solving: Takes initiative to identify, define, and resolve challenges. Assesses root causes, generates and evaluates options, and implements practical solutions—adapting quickly to new or unexpected issues with sound judgment and minimal oversight.

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.

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 $ $65,187 to $94,520 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. 

Please Include the following along with your application:

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