POSITION SUMMARY:World Relief seeks a Regional Adult Education Director who will provide strategic leadership and oversight for a multi-site adult education, family literacy, and student support services program serving immigrant and refugee learners across Chicagoland (DuPage, Aurora, and Chicago). The Director is responsible for the vision, growth, quality, compliance, innovation, and sustainability of educational programming including English language acquisition, workforce preparation, citizenship services, Bridge and ICAPS (Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System) pathways, digital literacy initiatives, distance education, family literacy, and wrap-around support services. The Director oversees a diverse portfolio of state, federal, foundation, and privately funded programs; leads a team of managers, coordinators, instructors, and support staff; and serves as a member of the Chicagoland Leadership Team.
Hybrid: 4 days onsite and 1 work from home days/week
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:Missional & Cross-Departmental Leadership
- Embody the mission, vision, and values of World Relief as a leader and example for staff, volunteers, clients, churches, and community partners.
- Contribute towards the setting of the spiritual tone and environment for the office, encouraging prayer and other spiritual practices.
- Serve as an active member of the Chicagoland Leadership Team, contributing to regional strategic planning, operational excellence, organizational culture, and ministry effectiveness.
- Foster strong collaboration across offices, departments, and service lines to advance client outcomes and organizational goals.
- Champion meaningful engagement of volunteers, churches, and community partners throughout program activities and initiatives.
Program Vision, Strategy & Innovation
- Develop and execute a strategic vision for the Chicagoland Adult Education program, including measurable goals, objectives, outcomes, and key performance indicators aligned with organizational and funder priorities.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts across instructional services, learner engagement, support services, digital learning, and workforce preparation.
- Champion research-informed instructional practices, learner-centered program design, and scalable models that improve learner persistence, achievement, and transition outcomes.
- Promote program sustainability and student needs through educational technology, digital literacy, distance learning, responsible AI integration, and modern adult learning practices.
- Ensure programs remain aligned with national World Relief strategy, local priorities, and community needs.
- Provide strategic oversight of workforce and career training initiatives, including Bridge, Advanced Bridge, ICAPS, workplace literacy, and other sector-based training programs.
- Collaborate with employers, workforce boards, community colleges, universities, and industry partners to strengthen pathway opportunities and economic mobility for learners.
- Monitor program performance and compliance to ensure successful achievement of grant objectives.
- Lead efforts to improve learner transitions into employment, training, credential attainment, apprenticeships, and post-secondary education.
- Represent World Relief within local Area Planning Councils, as well as regional, state, and national adult education and workforce training networks.
- Engage clients and community stakeholders in shaping program planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with Grants and Impact team on grant proposals, continuation applications, work plans, reports, and outcome documentation.
- Develop and manage departmental and grant budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship and alignment of resources with strategic priorities.
- Maintain productive relationships with funders and serve as the primary liaison for educational grant initiatives.
- Partner with advancement and executive leadership to pursue diversified funding strategies that strengthen program sustainability.
Supervisory
- This role is responsible for supervising others and includes responsibilities consistent with supervising employees, including but not limited to monitoring daily work activities, tracking and approving timesheets including approving time off, monitoring performance including entering goals, progress check-ins, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, documenting performance concerns, entering staff promotions, transitions, and separations in HRIS within required time frame. Managers at World Relief are also considered spiritual leaders and are expected to lead staff in a manner consistent with our Christian values, including but not limited to praying with staff, leading devotionals, and fostering a Christian environment in interactions with staff throughout World Relief.
- Supervise, coach, and develop managers, coordinators, and other direct reports.
- Build and sustain a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture.
- Establish clear expectations, accountability systems, and professional growth opportunities for staff.
- Oversee performance management, goal setting, employee development, and personnel actions in accordance with organizational policies.
- Lead staff in a manner consistent with World Relief's Christian identity, fostering spiritual growth, prayer, encouragement, and Christ-centered leadership.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:- Mature and personal Christian faith
- Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
- Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
- Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
- Valid drivers license, access to reliable vehicle and ability to pass MVR standards
- A passion for helping immigrants reach their full potential through English language acquisition
- Experience in coaching and supervising staff as well as program/project management experience
- Prior supervisory and management experience required
- Bachelors degree in TESOL, training & development, instructional design, higher education, education administration, non-profit administration, or related field required
- Good computer skills required: Comfort with Word and Excel or equivalent, basic skills with Power Point or equivalent)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Masters degree in TESOL, training & development, instructional design, higher education, education administration, non-profit administration, or related field preferred
- Financial management and/or budget development experience
- Grant writing and grant reporting experience
- Strong collaboration skills and experience in mobilizing a team toward a common goal
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Creative problem-solving skills and experience in leading innovation & change
- Ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines with flexibility
- Ability to collect and use data to drive decision-making, and action-oriented work pace
- Significant cross-cultural experience
$88,000 - $100,000 a year
World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time, Regular, employees.
World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.
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