Adult Education Project Manager

About Oakton College

Educate. Empower. Transform

At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive.

We're looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future.

We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston.

As a proud institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oakton is more than a college - it's a place where innovation, equity and lifelong learning drive everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture.

The Adult Education Project Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the expansion of Adult Education services, including English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, by enhancing the capacity of our current team. Working in partnership with the Adult Education management and leadership team, this position involves contributing to site identification and management, faculty hiring, and grant management, along with implementing and managing projects.

The ideal candidate will have robust project management skills, a thorough understanding of adult education, and the ability to foster effective collaboration across teams.

• Lead and support the planning, execution, and delivery of projects aimed at the expansion of Adult Education services.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets to achieve goals efficiently and effectively.
• Work with AE Managers to evaluate and implement new classes, ensuring alignment with program goals and student needs.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across departments to support program success.

• Collaborate with the Adult Ed management and leadership team in identifying and preparing sites for service expansion.
• Ensure that sites are properly equipped and meet the requirements for new or expanded programs.

• Support the identification of grant opportunities and the development of proposals.
• Assist in managing grant-funded projects, ensuring adherence to grant requirements and reporting obligations.
• Develop and implement strategies to address the diverse needs of adult learners, ensuring access to necessary support services.
• During peak times, assist office staff with day-to-day activities of the Adult Education program, including student registration, testing and placement, instructor support, as well as transfers, student communication, and administrative tasks.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Functional supervision is received from the Senior Manager of Adult Education.

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Project Management, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in project management, ideally within an educational environment.
• Deep understanding of Adult Education principles and ESL programming.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with educational professionals and leadership teams.
• Experience with grant writing and management is a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish or Russian strongly preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and situations.
• Hours may vary around registration periods with occasional evening hours.

Light lifting to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10…