Job description
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
Job Description
The Senior Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement leads cross-cutting initiatives to expand the college’s external reach, enhance its institutional visibility, and build long-term strategic partnerships across industry, academia, and the public sector.
Serving as a key advisor and liaison to the Dean, this position plays a central coordinating role in ensuring the effective implementation of the college’s strategic priorities. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, Department Heads, and Associate Deans, mobilizes and aligns multiple stakeholders to execute initiatives that advance the college’s mission.
This role leads the college’s corporate and external partnership strategy, including industry engagement, experiential learning partnerships, and thought leadership initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for students. Works in close partnership with the University’s Advancement office to ensure strategic alignment information sharing and coordination related to external relationships.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as lead for the execution of initiatives outlined in the UIC Business Strategic Plan, track progress and report on milestones related to strategic priorities, advising the Dean and leadership team on opportunities, gaps, and adjustments.
- Coordinate with the UEOs across all departments to ensure alignment between strategic priorities and ongoing activities, especially those involving public/private partnerships, novel curriculum development, and external communications.
- Lead efforts to cultivate and expand industry partnerships across the Chicagoland region that align with the college’s educational, experiential, and workforce development priorities.
- Serve as a connector between faculty and staff and industry stakeholders for opportunities such as curriculum input, internship pipelines, projects for experiential student learning, and upskilling for business professionals.
- Host and serve as a liaison with high-profile visitors, delegations, and dignitaries in alignment with the college’s external positioning goals.
- Partner closely with the college’s Advancement office and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Advancement colleagues to align communication and strategy for corporate partners engaged in non-philanthropic activities who may also be donors, ensuring a coordinated, institutionally consistent approach that maximizes the overall value of the relationship
- Establish partnerships in the Chicago business community and beyond that elevate the college’s reputation, student success, student experiential learning, and strategic expansion of degree programs.
Pay and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $140,000 – $200,000.
We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or other relevant field
- 10 years of relevant professional work experience
- Strong connections to Chicago business community
- Demonstrated administrative experience, including implementing strategic priorities in a university or business
- Strong communication skills with a responsive and collaborative work style
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate Degree
- Demonstrated experience building strong and beneficial external partnerships, such as interdisciplinary research efforts, and fruitful corporate and inter-institutional research collaborations
How to apply
All applicants must apply via the UIC job board by the close date of June 12, 2026. For fullest consideration, please apply by Friday, May 29, 2026.
Please follow this link:
https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/ requ isition/19695?c=uic&city=chicago
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899
