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 We Offer:

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 Benefits.

What You Will Do:

The Professional Learning Manager supports the Professional Learning team by managing and implementing the Professional Learning Leadership Academies (i.e. training logistics, training development and facilitation, marketing and recruitment, meetings, and supervision of Leadership Training Specialists). This person will assist the Director of Professional Learning with strategic planning and training (both in-person and virtual). This position reports to the Director of Professional Learning.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TRAINING LOGISTICS. Oversee Leadership Academies including: communications with training participants (i.e., applications, status, assignments, updates, etc.), training logistics (recruitment, date selections, locations, etc.), and preparation of training materials. Coordinate updates to academy handouts, assignments and PowerPoints. Assist with on-site and off-site logistics for successful delivery of learning opportunities both in-person and online. Oversee evaluation summaries and participant quotes for marketing. Develop protocols for team functions, roles, and responsibilities. Collaborate with NLU on course requirements and paperwork for trainings. Review and update application forms, marketing flyers and website information. Oversee the maintenance of an archive of participant evaluation data and quotes for marketing efforts and funder reports.
• PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP ACADEMIES LEADERSHIP. Respond to inquiries/meet with funders about initiatives with Director of Professional Learning and coordinate follow-up. Work in collaboration with the Research, Evaluation, and Quality Supports team to assure all necessary data is collected and archived. Oversee adherence to deliverables in grant contracts. Draft funder reports and annual team reports. Assist in planning of quarterly team meetings with QS team and strategic planning for Professional Learning team. Supervise and oversee workload of Leadership Academy Specialists. Organize and facilitate Leadership Academy team meetings. Oversee and analyze evaluation summaries for continuous quality improvement, work with PLT members to implement a process of continuous improvement based on participant feedback, data analysis and interpretation provided by the research team, and facilities observations. Disseminate information about professional learning initiatives by presenting at conferences. Stay apprised of quality improvement initiatives happening at the state and national level. Maintain a familiarity with current ECE leadership initiatives, contemporary training and learning theories, and leadership research. Communicate important trends to colleagues.
• TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITATION. Work with team members to create, update, and facilitate professional learning experiences and Leadership Academies including in-person training, online modules, webinars, and blended learning on topics of critical importance to early childhood leaders (e.g., center-based administrators, family child care providers, coaches and technical assistance specialists). Generate new and update current professional learning content and materials (PowerPoint, outline, handouts, packing list, etc.) to assure that Leadership Academies and other professional learning experiences stay relevant and reflect current trends in research and the field. Coordinate and contribute to the creation of activity materials, assignments, and eResources, etc. Maintain high level of understanding of the assessment tools (i.e. ERS, ARPS, ECWES, PAS and BAS). Become and maintain certification in the BAS and PAS Quality Supports team with training as needed.
• MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT. Maintain database of key groups and individuals for marketing purposes Generate new contacts for Academy recruitment, Fee for service contract opportunities, and potential collaborations. Facilitate team use of such records to support targeting outreach and marketing efforts. Work with the PLT and marketing team to oversee and coordinate the maintenance and updates to Professional Learning-relevant website pages. Work with others to generate and disseminate marketing materials for the PTL and Center as a whole (QS trainings, Leadership Connections, Aim, etc.) Represent the Center at conferences, meetings, and other events. Network and foster relationships with external collaboration partners. Contribute to the Center's eResources.
• MCCORMICK CENTER SUPPORT. Help keep common areas clean and tidy. Keep McCormick Center calendar current. Represent the Center in a professional and ethical manner and assist with other duties as assigned.

• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Administration, Adult Learning, Organizational Psychology, or other related field, required
• Experience in strengths-based leadership, a plus
• Previous experience working in Higher Education, a plus
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including excel
• Working knowledge of best practices in early childhood leadership, management, business and professional practices
• 3+ years of experience working with early childhood administrators (center-based, home-based)
• 3+ years of experience working with grant funders and generating reports
• 3+ years of experience managing and leading teams
• At least 1 year of experience working with early childhood quality rating and improvement efforts and initiatives

• Customer Focus - Personally demonstrates that external (or internal) customers are a high priority. Identifies customer needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the customer. Keeps customers informed about the status of pending actions and inquires about customer satisfaction with products or services.
• Initiative - Recognizes opportunities and initiates actions to capitalize on them. Looks for new and productive ways to make an impact. Demonstrates this characteristic when it comes to generating new ideas or processes, capitalizing on new business opportunities, seeking out and taking on increasing responsibility or resolving problems as they occur. Uses sound judgment about when to take action and when to seek guidance or permission. This is in contrast to those who fail to notice opportunities, wait to be asked or instructed before taking action, seldom offer new ideas or express reservations about taking on additional responsibilities.
• Managing Multiple Priorities - Handles multiple assignments and priorities yet still fulfills all commitments. Readily accepts new responsibilities and adapts well to changes in procedures. Gives appropriate priorities to various work demands.
• Presentation Skills - Comes across as confident and well-prepared when making group presentations. Makes effective use of visual aids or presentation software and looks at ease while handling questions from the audience. His/her presentations hold the audience's attention and tend to be the right length for the amount of information covered.
• Flexibility - Adjusts quickly and effectively to changing conditions and demands. Discusses change as a necessary and inevitable aspect of organizational life as well as an opportunity to learn new things. Has a similar view and approach to potentially stressful situations. Invests personal energy toward accepting and adapting to change that others use toward resisting or resenting it.
• Training and Development - Ensures that staff members get a sufficient amount of orientation, training and developmental opportunities to maximize their chances of being successful in their assignments. Views training and development as an investment in employees and uses mentoring, cross-functional assignments, job rotation or other on-the-job learning opportunities to enhance the depth and breadth of skills and experience. Also encourages self-development activities.

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.

Please Include the following along with your application:
- Resume (Required)
- Cover Letter (Optional)
NLU Employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form