Program Design & Development Lead – Local Government Services

Program Design & Development Lead

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.

Reporting to Penn State Outreach's Senior Strategy and Innovation Officer and working closely with the Vice President for Outreach and other Outreach leadership, Program Design & Development Lead will:

• 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

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications:

• If filled as Community Engagement Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree, 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.
• If filled as Community Engagement Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree, 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.

The successful candidate will have:

• 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

This is a hybrid role based at the University Park campus in University Park, PA.

About Penn State Outreach

Penn State Outreach is a leading provider of lifelong learning and community engagement, connecting the University's resources to the needs of individuals, organizations, and communities across Pennsylvania and beyond. Outreach is committed to expanding access to education, supporting economic and workforce development, and delivering high-impact programs that make a difference.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term, 7-month position focused on program design and development. Continuation beyond the initial term is contingent upon program approval, funding availability, and organizational needs.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $56,200.00 - $102,300.00. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.