Visiting Senior Program Lead, Community and Stakeholder Engagement

University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Visiting Senior Program Lead, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, serves as a full-time 12-month academic professional. This senior level Extension position will provide administrative oversight for building, sustaining, and coordinating community and stakeholder relationships that advance the mission of the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration (FSNSHI) and affiliated Health and Community Wellness programs. The position is responsible for shaping strategy, directing implementation, and ensuring quality, impact, and sustainability of that advance food systems, nutrition security, and community health.

Reporting to Center leadership, the position strengthens external partnerships, aligns stakeholder engagement with institutional priorities, provides strategic communications and stakeholder education, supports grants and funding initiatives, and builds staff capacity for effective engagement, with a particular emphasis on food systems, nutrition security, health, and community wellness.

One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
In state hybrid remote work arrangements are available

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations for the design, implementation, and evaluation of statewide community and stakeholder engagement strategies that advance Extension programs within HCW and FSNSHI.
• Oversee the strategy and development of grants related to capacity building and systems-based initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage grant-funded initiatives to strengthen long-term partnerships, build institutional capacity, and position the Center and Illinois Extension for future funding.
• Lead the Community Engagement team within FSNSHI. Supervise designated staff, including conducting staff performance reviews and developing and implementing staff development and staff performance improvement initiatives.
• Communicate with 27 units across Extension, grantors, and subcontractors across the state.
• Work in coordination with the Extension Business Office to maintain sound fiscal decisions that meet grant requirements.
• Monitors stakeholder priorities, emerging issues, and external trends related to food systems, nutrition security, health, and community wellness to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Serves as the primary liaison with mission-aligned organizations that provide advocacy, visibility, or support for the Center.
• Assists the Assistant Dean and Executive Director in managing and responding to stakeholder and public inquiries related to Center initiatives.
• Oversee preparation of grant reports, impact narratives, and materials for leadership, funders, and stakeholders ensuring timely communication regarding project milestones, deliverables, and emerging issues.
• Contribute to the overall vision of FSNSHI.

Program Development and Implementation Oversight

• Initiate and direct interdisciplinary committees and workgroups pertaining to grants.
• Give regular presentations, in- services, and trainings to team members and field staff related to coalition building, community engagement and stakeholder relations.
• Supports Center leadership and field staff in effective stakeholder engagement and partnership development through coordinated training, guidance, and engagement opportunities.
• Represent FSNSHI and HCW on the Extension teams.
• Supports development of outreach and communication products, including newsletters, digital content, stakeholder updates, and partnership communications.
• Assists with planning and coordination of strategic events, initiatives, and collaborations involving Extension personnel, college colleagues, and community partners.

Research

• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that connect academic programs and research to complement Extension programming.
• Provides coordination and oversight for stakeholder-facing components of funded projects, including advisory groups, coalitions, community engagement strategies, and dissemination activities.
• Monitors progress of grant-funded and special initiatives related to engagement, communications, and partnerships; contributes to reporting, evaluation, and documentation of outcomes and impacts.
• Participate in research activities with faculty and collaborating partners. Contribute to publications that advance the research-based evidence.
• Be an active member within a professional society(s) to keep abreast of changes within discipline.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.

Other Information

• Comply with all reporting deadlines and requirements.
• Perform other duties that contribute to University of Illinois Extension programming, as assigned.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Senior Program Lead, Community and Stakeholder Engagement is administratively responsible to the Assistant Dean, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in nutrition, community/public health, adult education, organizational leadership, community development, Food Systems, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years full-time professional experience with community engagement, outreach education, stakeholder relations, systems coordination, or related areas.
• Experience building partnerships with stakeholders, community partners, and coalitions in Illinois affiliated with food, nutrition, agriculture, and health.
• Staff management experience including experience facilitating groups to achieve program deliverables.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in related field.

Experience:

• Experience with University of Illinois Extension.
• Experience translating funded project goals into effective stakeholder engagement, communication, and partnership strategies.
• Experience in Extension program development, coordination, or delivery, including programs implemented across multiple sites or regions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work within a team environment. Ability to lead cross functional teams to achieve high level deliverables and an understanding of land-grant University Extension and ability to work effectively with Extension system.

Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. These are temporary, full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenured academic professional positions. These positions may become non-visiting at a later time dependent upon funding and/or programmatic needs. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for these positions was $78,000 to $100,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 15, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda Taylor at ataylo@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID: 1036530
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu