CHICAGO -- Chicago Bears director of pro scouting Chris Ballard is leaving the team to join the front office of the Kansas City Chiefs, a league source confirmed on Friday.

The new position is a promotion for Ballard, who will oversee the Chiefs' pro and college scouting departments.

Ballard served as the Bears' Southwest area scout for 11 seasons before general manager Phil Emery promoted him to oversee the club's pro personnel department. One of the most respected voices in the building when it came to player evaluations, Ballard had a strong presence in the Bears' draft war room, where he played a key role in the organization selecting Pro Bowlers Matt Forte, Charles Tillman, Johnny Knox, Nathan Vasher and Tommie Harris.

Prior to joining the Bears, Ballard coached at Texas A&M-Kingsville for seven seasons.

The website thesidelineview.com earlier reported the news.