Program Director

POSITION: Program Director

STATUS: Full-Time / Benefited / Salary / Exempt

COMPENSATION: $78,000 - $85,000 per year

DEPARTMENT: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

LOCATION: This position requires in-person work at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offices on the Chico State campus. It also requires attendance at meetings in other locations on the Chico State campus, OLLI classes at OLLI’s off-campus classroom location, and other meetings in the Chico area. This position is expected to travel to meetings and conferences outside the area once or twice a year and to attend occasional evening or weekend events.

RECRUITMENT ID: 378

RESIDENCY: Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

GENERAL PURPOSE: The Program Director leads the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Chico State, a dynamic, self-supporting, membership-based program for a vibrant community of lifelong learners. The Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, administrative direction, and fundraising for all aspects of OLLI’s programs, working collaboratively with a skilled staff team and dedicated volunteers to ensure excellence in planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. Representing OLLI within the University and the broader community, the Director builds partnerships with members, instructors, donors, and campus and community stakeholders to advance OLLI’s mission in alignment with Chico State, Chico State Enterprises, and Osher Foundation priorities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Leadership:

• Cultivate a collaborative and professional work environment and organizational culture built on communication, mutual respect, shared responsibility for achieving OLLI’s mission, and responsiveness to colleagues, members, instructors, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with the Chico State community, local institutions, and other organizations at the regional and national levels to advance OLLI’s visibility and partnerships.
• Advocate for OLLI within the University and the broader community by communicating the program’s value, achievements, and opportunities for involvement.

Administrative Management:

• Directly supervise the OLLI Program Manager and oversee the work of all OLLI staff, ensuring effective collaboration, accountability, and high performance across the team.
• Develop, interpret, and implement OLLI program policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and compliance with Chico State, Chico State Enterprises, and Osher Foundation.
• Oversee OLLI’s budget, fiscal management, and long-term financial sustainability through sound planning and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Serve as OLLI’s primary contact for the Osher Foundation and the OLLI National Resource Center.

Program Development:

• Determine and implement an appropriate mix of class subjects and modalities.
• Recruit engaging speakers for the OLLI Community Speaker Series.
• Review formal evaluations and survey questions and analyze results; use this feedback to grow and improve the program.
• Stay up to date on current trends in learning-in-retirement programs.

Fundraising and Financial Sustainability:

• Set and achieve fundraising goals that advance OLLI’s mission, strengthen its financial well-being, and meet the Osher Foundation’s guidance on member donations.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising plans, including individual giving, business sponsorships, legacy gifts, and special campaigns.
• Create donor engagement strategies and campaigns that reflect OLLI’s mission, values, and community impact.
• Collaborate with University Advancement and PCE leadership to identify and pursue new funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships.
• Coordinate with OLLI’s travel vendor to select and schedule domestic and international trips that will appeal to members.

Outreach/Marketing:

• Oversee OLLI’s outreach, marketing, and communications with the goal of strengthening community awareness, member engagement, and institutional partnerships, while ensuring consistency and clarity across all communications, including OLLI’s newsletter, website, catalog, and social media.
• Develop and implement data-informed marketing and outreach strategies to recruit and retain members with the goal of sustaining a minimum of 1,000 members.
• Collaborate with the Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) marketing team to develop and implement marketing plans and materials that align with university standards and OLLI’s brand identity.
• Partner with Chico State photographers, PCE designers, and OLLI members to create visual and written marketing content that represents the OLLI experience.

Volunteer Leadership:

• Serve as the liaison to the OLLI volunteer Advisory Council and other volunteer groups, ensuring alignment between volunteer efforts and program goals.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers to teach classes, assist with attendance, support classroom technology, and fill other active volunteer roles.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of a large and diverse pool of volunteers, ensuring clarity of roles, consistent communication, and alignment with program needs.
• Oversee formal volunteer recognition and appreciation efforts.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s preferred.
• Minimum three years of full-time experience in program coordination, including training and development, recruitment, budget development and management, fundraising, and staff and volunteer management.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidate must be in possession of valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance. Participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice Program (driving record) is required. The candidate will be required to update their insurance with Chico State Enterprises Human Resources when necessary.

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Chico State Enterprises will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Chico State Enterprises employee who was conditionally offered the position.

BENEFITS:

Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer paid life insurance ($50,000) and long-term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; paid holidays including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual (initially 10 days/year); sick leave (up to 12 days/year); employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan (up to 8%).

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered, submit the following documents by January 2, 2026. Documents submitted after this date may not be considered.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

BY DROP BOX: https://csuchico.app.box.com/f/ca1d87eed0ae4dabbeee137a688a6a84

BY EMAIL: [email protected]

Paper applications will not be accepted; however, Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is happy to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants at any step of the application process. If you need assistance in this regard, or are having technical difficulties, please contact the Human Resources office at 530-898-6811 or [email protected] prior to 5:00 p.m. on the document deadline date. The employer is Chico State Enterprises, a nonprofit corporation serving as an auxiliary organization of California State University, Chico. Employment is considered to be at-will.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.