Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives - Illinois College of Law

Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives - Illinois College of Law
Law

Job Summary

This position functions as an integral member of the College of Law's senior administrative team and works closely with the Dean and other senior administrators at the College of Law on a range of newly emerging challenges and opportunities confronting the College.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Program Development and Administration (50%)

• Serves as the Chief Belonging and Inclusion Officer for the College of Law providing strategic leadership to promote inclusion, community, and belonging efforts among faculty, staff, and students.

• Works with the Dean, Associate Deans, Senior Administrators, and the Inclusive Excellence (IE) Committee to evaluate, design and implement law school-wide policies and practices to ensure equity, inclusion, and access for students, faculty, and staff. Coordinates IE initiatives and efforts to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing of effective practices to promote constructive collaboration between departments.

• Works closely with the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Access, Civil Rights, and Community, other colleges across campus, and peer institutions to coordinate and capitalize upon IE efforts and represent the College of Law on campus-level committees regarding equity, inclusion, and access issues. Articulates and advances strategic priorities and actions as well as deepens campus connections to equity, inclusion, and access.

• Provides leadership in developing and implementing partnerships with undergraduate prelaw offices to enhance student recruitment and retention. Will also implement programs to build student pipelines through community partnerships.

• Develops and delivers inclusion and equity-focused professional development programs that involve inclusive leadership, civil discourse, and support the University's mission and guiding values to build community, be inclusive, and promote citizenship.

• Advises the Dean, Associate Deans, and Senior Leadership on IE efforts and initiatives, issues, wise and lawful practices, and policies. Develop and implement measurable goals and use evidence-based practices to identify and change systems, structures, policies, and practices that perpetuate systemic barriers to equity, access, and inclusion. Produces an annual report for the Dean and shareholders.

Strategic Engagement (30%)

• Develops and manages the College of Law's judicial engagement and clerkship strategy, including cultivating relationships with federal and state judges, chambers staff, and alumni members of the judiciary to expand clerkship, externship, mentoring, and programming opportunities for students.

• Serves as a primary liaison between the College of Law and the bench by coordinating judicial outreach, strengthening engagement with alumni judges, and maintaining long-term institutional relationships that enhance the school's professional network and reputation within the legal community.

• Directs and oversees all aspects of the College of Law's annual Jurist-in-Residence program, including strategicplanning, judicial outreach, scheduling, event coordination, student and faculty engagement, communications, and program assessment to strengthen connections between the law school and the judiciary.

Data Analysis (15%)

• Analyzes national law school rankings, employment metrics, and other external benchmarking data relied upon by prospective students, employers, alumni, and institutional stakeholders; develop strategies to improve data accuracy, reporting practices, and institutional positioning/reputation with ranking organizations and accrediting bodies.

• Leads strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional reputation and visibility through relationship-building, data-informed planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and targeted engagement with legal employers, bar associations, alumni, and the judiciary.

• Researches, evaluates, and implements operational uses of artificial intelligence (AI) across departments, including identifying opportunities for workflow automation, administrative efficiency, data management, and institutional innovation, while helping guide broader integration of AI into the College of Law's strategic planning and operations.

Perform other duties as assigned (5%).

Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctor from a U.S. law school and legal practice experience
• 7-10 years of experience working in a higher education and/or law school setting
• Experience and training on issues related to inclusion, access, and community-building
• Knowledge and experience with the judicial clerkship application process, including OSCAR, CORA, LeadershipConnect, and other clerkship websites and software/databases
• Clear, empathetic, and effective communicator

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/15/2026. Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $150,000-$160,000.This position is eligible for work sponsorship.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 25. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Devin Scheidemantel at View email address on click.appcast.io. For questions regarding the application process, please contact View phone number on click.appcast.io.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

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.

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.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at View phone number on click.appcast.io, option #1, or View email address on click.appcast.io.

Requisition ID : 1036859

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

Apply at: Apply Now