Program Design & Development Lead – Local Government Services

Penn State University•University Park, IL

16h•$56,200 - $102,300•Hybrid

About The Position

Penn State Outreach is seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial leader to design and develop a new program supporting local governments across the Commonwealth. This role will lead the creation of a comprehensive initiative focused on training, assistance, and service delivery to support elected officials, municipal staff, and community partners. The Program Design & Development Lead will guide a structured design process that integrates stakeholder engagement, research and benchmarking, program architecture, and enterprise model development. The outcome of this work will be a scalable, implementation-ready program that positions Penn State as a trusted resource for local government services. This is a unique opportunity to shape and build a community serving high-impact program, leveraging Penn State’s academic strengths, outreach mission, and commitment to community engagement and support.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
6+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Community Engagement Specialist - Senior Professional)
3+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Community Engagement Specialist - Advanced Professional)
Demonstrated experience working in and with local governments
Experience in program design, strategic planning, or organizational development
Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills
A robust network of local government contacts throughout Pennsylvania
Experience working with local government related professional organizations in Pennsylvania
Knowledge of public sector training and workforce development practices and opportunities
Experience designing hybrid or online learning programs
Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

Lead development of the overall program vision, framework, and service model for local government services
Define core service lines, including training, workforce development, and advisory services
Engage and build relationships with elected officials, municipal staff, and statewide associations to inform program design
Conduct market analysis and benchmarking of peer programs to identify gaps, opportunities, and differentiators
Develop a high-level curriculum framework for target audiences including various delivery models (in-person, hybrid, and online)
Develop revenue strategies, pricing approaches, and partnership opportunities
Develop a phased implementation roadmap and pilot program design with key performance indicators (KPIs) and evaluation methods
Prepare recommendations for long-term program leadership and sustainability