DIRECTOR OF POLICY
Chicago, IL, US, 60603
Job Requisition ID: 48426
Closing Date: 07/25/2025
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,000 - $11,250 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook; Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
****************A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****************
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document that is not a Resume or CV.
***This position is Exempt from Jurisdiction B of the Illinois Personnel Code under provision of paragraph 4d(3)***
Position Overview:
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking to hire a Policy Director to lead the development and implementation of transformative, agency-wide initiatives and public policy priorities. This senior leadership role serves as a key advisor to the Secretary and drives integrated strategies that improve services and outcomes for Illinois families.
The Policy Director will develop and guide policy objectives that advance IDEC’s mission and align with goals set by the Governor’s Office, state legislation, and public stakeholders. This position plays a central role in shaping policy across systems, coordinating with state agencies, providers, and partners to ensure equitable, accessible, and effective service delivery. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with deep policy experience, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to improving early childhood outcomes across Illinois.
Apply today to join a team committed to making Illinois the best place in the nation to raise a family!
Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday schedule
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
- Paid Parental leave
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
- Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
- (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
- Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
- (13-14) paid state holidays annually
Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Essential Functions
- Serves as Policy Director for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
- Interacts with other state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations to address issues that impact individuals receiving IDEC-funded services.
- Actively promotes the Department’s lead role with stakeholders, providers, families, and other state agencies by coordinating support services and other activities under a consistent philosophy and set of principles for service delivery.
- Serves as full-line supervisor.
- Represents the Secretary, Chief of Staff and Chief Transition Design Officer as liaison to outside interests.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill, equivalent to completion of four years college with courses in political science, public policy, social science, and/or government administration
- Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer a thorough knowledge of public policy and government administration, principles, practices and procedures.
- Prefer a thorough knowledge of programs and service objectives, activities, and operational systems.
- Prefer ability to develop, install and evaluate new and revised methods, procedures, and performance standards
Conditions of Employment
- Requires the ability to pass a background check.
- Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
- Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
- Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
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Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
Work Location: 115 S La Salle St., Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Agency Contact: Sally McDaniel-Smith
Email: sally.mcdanielsmith.illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-900-0865
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
About the Agency:
The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2025 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026.
Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Chicago