As part of National Louis University (NLU), a pioneer in early childhood education, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off; medical, dental, and vision insurance; tuition waivers; 403(b) group supplemental retirement annuity; professional development opportunities; and life insurance.
Apply for open positions by searching for the job title on the National Louis University jobs website.
The Assessor and Training Specialist is responsible for providing assessment for Illinois Department of Human Services programs that participate in Illinois ExceleRate, conducting inter-reliability assessments, and writing accurate reports.
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
State-wide travel, word processing and computer skills, walking, bending, classroom environment-continuous standing, lifting boxes, setting up training environments.
The Assessor and Training Specialist is responsible providing assessment for Illinois Department of Human Services programs that participatin in Illinois ExcelRate, conducting inter reliability assessments, and writing accurate reports.
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
The Director of Quality Assessment for the State of Illinois is a key leadership position within the Center for Early Childhood Leadership (CECL), housed within the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood (MIEC) at National Louis University (NLU). This role is responsible for directing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) assessment system and associated teams within CECL. The Director leads the team and ensures that all contract deliverables, reports, schedules, and budget metrics are met with fidelity and in a timely manner. The Director represents the Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood professionally and responsibly at all times, promoting a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) that enables all team members and constituents to thrive in their work and lives.
Leadership for ISBE and IDHS Assessment Teams.
Contract and Fiscal Management.
Thought Leadership.
Center for Early Childhood Leadership.
Leadership Management: Ability to articulate a clear vision for QRIS and inspire staff, stakeholders, and partners; Competence in long-term planning to drive QRIS objectives, ensuring alignment with state and national early childhood standards; Experience managing teams, providing mentorship, and fostering professional growth within the QRIS team; Proficiency in overseeing complex projects, managing timelines, and ensuring deliverables are met; Ability to lead and manage organizational change, particularly in response to evolving standards and policies in early childhood education.
Early Childhood Education Expertise: In-depth understanding of early learning standards, child development, and best practices in ECE; Experience with assessment tools and methods used in rating early childhood programs, such as CLASS, ECERS, and other quality metrics; Knowledge of services and programs for children from birth to five years, including early intervention, preschool, and home visiting programs.
Policy and Regulatory Competencies: Strong understanding of federal, state, and local policies impacting early childhood education, such as licensing regulations, accreditation, and child care subsidies; deep understanding of policies that promote high-quality early childhood programs and ability to work with policymakers and stakeholders; Ability to analyze data from QRIS systems to guide program improvement and make evidence-based recommendations.
Communication/Interpersonal: Communicates effectively and appropriately. Uses good judgment as to what to communicate to whom as well as the best way to get that accomplished. Speaks in a clear and credible manner, selecting the right tone for the situation and audience. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.
Managing Employee Performance: Takes action to ensure that employees fully understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards/expectations and provides ongoing feedback and support as employees strive to achieve expectations. Engages in two-way conversations throughout the year that ensure an up-to-date understanding of expectations, performance gaps and actions required to close any gaps
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
Constant computer work/data entry in an office environment, long periods of sitting and heavy phone and computer usage. This position is based in Chicago or Lisle with travel between the two campuses required. Some statewide travel is also required.
The eLearning Specialist & Registry Coordinator is a key position within the Professional Learning and team of the Center for Early Childhood Leadership (CECL). CECL is housed within the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. This role is responsible for facilitating online cohorts of the Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential (AIM4X) as well as other online, asynchronous professional learning activities. In addition, this role is responsible for providing coordination for on-going approval processes within current state approved state registry systems while also continuing to build AIM4X state registry capacity by promoting various eLearning provided by CECL (particularly AIM4X). This role focuses on creating engaging, effective eLearning content and ensuring the smooth coordination of CECL participation in state registry systems that enable/track professional development for early childhood educators.
Cohort Facilitation
State Registry Coordination
Facilitator & Scorer Recruitment/Support
Content Management and Continuous Improvement
Thought Leadership
Customer Focus: Focus on designing eLearning experiences that meet the needs of early childhood administrators while providing exceptional support services to learners, ensuring their professional development needs are met efficiently.
Continuous Learning and Improvement: Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends in eLearning and educational technology, with an ability to think creatively and innovate in the development of eLearning solutions.
Communication: Excellent ability to convey technical information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders with a strong ability to interact and collaborate with a diverse team and external partners, as well as an ability to provide clear and timely support to users of the eLearning platform and registry systems.
Collaboration and Partnership Building: Ability to build and maintain strong, productive relationships with state partners and stakeholders; skilled in establishing and leveraging professional networks to enhance collaboration and share best practices, and proficient in engaging with diverse stakeholders to understand their needs and perspectives.
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
This is a fully remote position, but requires some travel to Chicago 2-3 times per year, as well as some travel to conferences and/or professional meetings throughout the year. There is an expectation to attend/lead virtual meetings daily.
The Leadership Coach and Training Specialist provides leadership coaching, facilitation of learning, and technical support for early childhood education and care (ECEC) program administrators. In addition, this position includes collecting and analyzing data, assisting with training development, material preparation, and facilitation (in-person, remote, and online).
Leadership Coaching and Community of Practice
Training Development, Facilitation, and Logistics
Communication and Customer Service
Leadership
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.
Detail Orientation/Quality Focus: Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.
Customer Service and Focus: Recognizes that all educational institutions have customer-stakeholders (e.g., students, parents or guardians of students, groups that fund activities, etc.), and that each of these customers is entitled to have a say. Reaches out to customers to keep them informed, solicit their questions, and invite suggestions or feedback. Treats all customer-stakeholders with courtesy and respect. Makes good-faith efforts to meet customer expectations, yet is also willing to be candid with customers if their expectations are unrealistic.
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
Office environment (Wheeling, Lisle, or Chicago) with the expectation of some traveling around the state of Illinois, and nationally as required for professional learning presentations. Long periods of sitting, standing, and constant computer/data entry work. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. This position requires some availability during evenings and weekends and access to Internet and phone when out of the office.
The Leadership Training Specialist handles all aspects of training logistics for the various Leadership Academy trainings, both on-site and off-site. The Leadership Training Specialist works closely with the Leadership Academy Manager and with the Professional Learning team to update, develop, and facilitate new and existing Leadership Academy trainings.
TRAINING LOGISTICS: Implement Leadership Academy on-site and off-site logistics. Maintain evaluation summaries and assist with quotes for marketing. Add information to Highrise as needed. Gather data for team/funder reports. Manage recruitment and registration processes of Leadership Academy participants. Complete Training Intake Forms and submit to Administrative Assistant. Maintain records and hard-copy file storage for leadership academies (binders, PR materials, communications). Coordinate catering and food service needs with Administrative Assistant. Assist administrative assistant in preparing training materials for travel or shipment.
COMMUNICATION: Respond to inquiries about trainings with the Director of Professional Learning and/or Leadership Academy Manager. Communicate with academy participants (i.e., status, assignments, updates) and partners (off-site locations). Work with Leadership Academy Manager to provide mentoring and technical assistance to Leadership Academy participants.
TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITATION: Work with Leadership Academy Manager to create and update handouts and PowerPoints. Work with Leadership Academy Manager to develop and facilitate Leadership Academy trainings. Establish relationships with all academy participants and maintain interaction on ongoing basis. Serve as a mentor to some Leadership Academy participants. Work with team members to develop face-to-face training, Online modules, and blended learning opportunities related to leadership topics and assessment tools. Assist Professional Learning team with video production advertisements, informational webinars, etc. Assist in creation of Leadership Academy activity materials, assignments, etc. Participate in debrief, reflection, and planning sessions, track and implement changes.
Assist with Leadership Connections as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
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.
Spoken Communication Skills: Speaks clearly and effectively to individuals or groups regardless of their level of education, age, cultural background, station in life or other factors. Uses words or terms that listeners are likely to understand . Takes personal responsibility when efforts to communicate have been unsuccessful. Listens carefully and effectively, whether the speaker is sharing facts, opinions or feelings. Pays attention, displays appropriate nonverbal responses, and verifies own understanding of what was said before responding. Responds to others effectively, even when strong opinions or emotions have been expressed. Acknowledges the merits of what others have to say, in a manner that demonstrates respect.
Written Communication Skills: Writes clearly and concisely when sharing or documenting information. Uses words or terms that all readers are likely to understand and invites people to ask questions if any aspect of a written document is confusing or unclear. Uses good judgment about what to put in writing versus what should be shared in a conversation or presentation. Demonstrates awareness that electronic messages have there advantages (such as getting information out quickly to a large group of people), yet are frequently misinterpreted because the intended tone cannot be reliably conveyed in writing. Uses caution and discretion in responding to written communications, especially when replying to e-mails that contain personal criticism or factual inaccuracies.
Work environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:
Ability to move or lift boxes up to 50lbs. Office environment. Heavy phone usage. Long periods of sitting. Long periods of standing. Constant computer work/data entry.
The Professional eLearning Assistant will provide technical support and customer service for participants of the Center for Early Childhood Leadership’s online professional development initiatives, maintain all online professional development clock hours for Illinois participants, assist with ongoing LMS module set up and enrollments, and provide ongoing support for annual technology trainings. In addition, the Professional eLearning Assistant will provide overall operational support to the Operations team within the McCormick Institute.
Customer Service
Support Overall Institute Operations
Other duties as assigned to support the overall operations of the Institute including but not limited to:
LMS Logistical Support
Data Collection and Reporting
Technical Proficiency: Understanding of operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and basic troubleshooting; familiarity with common software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, email clients, remote desktop tools); understanding of operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and basic troubleshooting.
Customer Service Skills: Clear, concise, and polite communication, both written and verbal, to explain technical issues to non-technical users; understanding and responding to user concerns with patience and a customer-focused attitude; ability to handle difficult or frustrated customers with professionalism and calmness.
Problem Solving-Skills: Ability to assess a problem, identify the root cause, and find effective solutions; expertise in systematically diagnosing and resolving issues, often using remote access tools; capable of handling unexpected issues or new challenges with resourcefulness.
Working environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to other campuses. For the first 6 months would work onsite. Hybrid work schedule as approved by Director after 6 months. Would prefer Chicago or Wheeling campus.
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.
NLU is committed to positioning and maintaining its facilities in convenient, safe locations and creating policies and safety procedures to ensure that the possibility of criminal offense is diminished, and public safety is enhanced. In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, prospective employees may request a copy of the University’s Annual Safety Report by contacting the Campus Facilities Office at each of our campuses or by downloading the report detailed in the following web site: http://www.nl.edu/legalpages/consumerinfo/annualsecurityreport/.