Program Director, Government and Defense Sector

THE OPPORTUNITY

UNC Executive Development seeks an experienced Program Director to help lead and grow our Government & Defense Sector portfolio. Working at the intersection of government, defense, leadership development, and higher education, the Program Director serves as a trusted partner to clients, helping them address consequential organizational challenges through the thoughtful design and delivery of customized learning and development solutions.

The Program Director is responsible for a portfolio of client engagements spanning needs assessment, learning strategy and design, faculty collaboration, program delivery, impact evaluation, and business expansion. The role begins with understanding the challenges clients are seeking to address, identifying leadership and organizational capability needs, and translating those insights into meaningful development experiences that strengthen effectiveness and advance mission priorities.

Working collaboratively with business development colleagues, Program Managers, faculty, and other partners, the Program Director builds trusted client relationships, contributes to new and expanded opportunities, and supports the quality, growth, and financial performance of assigned engagements. The position requires a combination of consultative judgment, learning design expertise, client relationship management, and effective collaboration across organizational functions.

Experience with government and defense organizations is especially valuable, as is the ability to engage senior stakeholders, understand their institutional realities, and develop learning solutions that produce meaningful individual and organizational outcomes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a deep understanding of government and defense clients' missions, strategic priorities, organizational challenges, and leadership development needs through sustained engagement with key stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to clients, helping define organizational challenges, clarify desired outcomes, identify capability gaps, and determine how learning and development can contribute meaningful value.
• Identify and shape new opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to proposals and responses to government solicitations.
• Collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts to design customized learning experiences that strengthen leadership effectiveness, expand perspective, build organizational capabilities, and support the application of learning in practice.
• Identify and engage appropriate faculty and external experts; curate or develop content; select effective learning methods and modalities; and create coherent, outcomes-oriented learning journeys.
• Develop program designs grounded in client needs, desired learning outcomes, and the distinctive operating environments of government and defense organizations, ensuring alignment with client stakeholders.
• Work closely with Program Managers and other colleagues to plan and execute program delivery, maintaining alignment across learning content, faculty contributions, participant experience, and operational requirements.
• Partner with clients and internal colleagues to evaluate program effectiveness, assess learning application and organizational impact, and use findings to strengthen future engagements.
• Own portfolio planning and stewardship, including client engagement strategy, program scope, budgets, resource considerations, financial performance, and opportunities for sustained growth.
• Build and share Government & Defense Sector knowledge, strengthen relationships with faculty and external partners, and contribute to continuous improvement across UNC Executive Development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, public administration, organizational development, or a related field, and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in leadership development, executive education, talent development, organizational development, management consulting, government operations, or a related discipline. A master's degree in a related field is preferred.
• Direct professional experience within or in close partnership with the Department of Defense, U.S. military services, federal civilian agencies, or related government organizations is strongly preferred. Relevant experience may include military service, civilian government employment, government contracting, consulting, or professional education supporting these institutions.
• Demonstrated experience assessing organizational or leadership development needs and designing, managing, delivering, or evaluating the effectiveness and organizational impact of professional learning and capability-building initiatives.
• Strong consultative and analytical skills, including the ability to understand complex organizational challenges, engage stakeholders in defining desired outcomes, and translate identified needs into effective learning solutions.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders, demonstrating credibility, sound judgment, responsiveness, and strong client management skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty, subject matter experts, operational colleagues, or other cross-functional partners to design and deliver high-quality initiatives.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior executives, government and defense leaders, faculty, and colleagues across organizational boundaries.
• Familiarity with government and defense organizational structures, institutional cultures, leadership priorities, federal budget processes, procurement, and contracting environments.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal preparation, client relationship expansion, or portfolio growth in executive education, consulting, or professional services.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain consistently high standards of quality and professionalism.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Recognition of Military Experience

UNC Executive Development values the leadership, operational, instructional, and organizational experience gained through military service. Experience leading teams, developing personnel, designing or delivering training, supporting professional military education, or building organizational capabilities may satisfy relevant experience requirements for this position.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Work Arrangement: This role follows a flexible hybrid work model, depending on client needs and program scheduling.

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina – must be within commuting distance of the office

Compensation: Competitive base salary, plus bonus potential based on performance

Benefits:

• Group health, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Life and disability insurance provided and funded by the LLC
• Flexible spending account options
• Paid holidays and time off
• Paid parental leave and other leave programs
• Professional development opportunities

A resume and cover letter are required. This position will remain open until Friday, December 4th.

The Program Director is an employee of Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Education, LLC, an affiliated organization of UNC-Chapel Hill. This position is not a University or State of North Carolina position.

ABOUT UNC EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT

UNC Executive Development partners with clients to transform leaders and their organizations to the benefit of society. Our mission is to build and inspire leaders to make the world a better place. We collaborate with many client organizations, including Fortune 500 companies and governmental organizations, to drive long-term impact. As part of the UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, we are an internationally recognized leader in the field of executive education.

Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive Education, LLC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. EOE M/F/D/V.