Executive Dir. of the Illinois Center for Ed. Equity

Executive Director – Illinois Center for Education Equity Chicago State University seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Executive Director for the Illinois Center for Education Equity. The Director must be a highly skilled, experienced, and innovative leader with higher education policy expertise who will serve as the Center’s chief champion and strategist on partnerships, research, and initiatives. The Illinois Center for Education Equity is addressing the state’s crisis in connecting Black and Latinx communities to a college degree through research, policy, and practice driven by diverse stakeholders. The statewide initiative will convene employers, the secondary and postsecondary education systems, faculty, students, legislators, philanthropy, and community-based institutions to collect data and release research that tracks Illinois’ progress with supporting Black and Latinx students and to identify policies and practices that diverse stakeholders must deploy to eliminate the equity gap for Illinois’ students of color. The Institute for Solutions of Urban Populations is a matrix position jointly housed within CSU’s Provost Office and the Office of External Affairs. The Center Executive Director will report to the Vice President of External Affairs & Strategic Initiatives with coordination with the Offices of the Provost and President. Job Description Develop and execute comprehensive implementation plans for projects and initiatives in alignment with the mission and priorities of the Center and Institute. Secure funding that covers the cost of the Center’s operations by optimizing the use of available federal, state, institutional, and private resources. Hire and manage Center staff; the Center currently has a Research Manager. Develop and manage critical relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including high school and postsecondary agencies and institutions, employers, student success organizations, higher education subject matter experts, and policymakers to achieve implementation of projects and initiatives. Develop and manage an Advisory Committee and subcommittees as needed to foster the Center’s success. Connect with CSU departments and units, such as Academic Affairs or External Affairs, to fully understand vision and direction for project development and implementation. Conduct and release research that contributes new understanding of dynamics impacting Black and Latinx students in Illinois’ higher education system and solutions for closing the education attainment divide. Identify target audiences and develop tailored engagement strategies to achieve project goals. Bring innovation, a fresh perspective, and a willingness to engage beyond traditional approaches to advance projects and initiatives. Develop and integrate coalition building, communication, and policy enactment plans to achieve implementation of projects and initiatives, including educating decision-makers on key policies and practices to close the education divide, such as legislators, education system leaders (including state agencies, school districts, postsecondary institutions), and employers. Minimum Qualifications A minimum of five years at a senior‑level administrative level in advocacy roles, non‑profit management, or related fields. Knowledgeable of best practices and current trends in higher education, ideally in the needs of Black and/or Latinx students. Demonstrated leadership in ‘systems‑change’ work, whether it is through policy change at an agency or institution or legislative engagement. Experience with conducting research that advances an understanding of systems’ challenges and potential solutions. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with governing and advisory boards for alignment of strategic priorities. Proven experience leading, motivating, and managing coalitions of support. Experience with fundraising and grant management. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and a communication style that can drive consensus building with diverse internal and external constituents. Exceptional research and writing skills, able to produce research briefs and data dashboards that garner attention from diverse stakeholders including decision‑makers. Ability to oversee multiple tasks with keen attention to detail and to work under tight deadlines. Demonstrated management and administrative experience. Strong instincts on strategic positioning, with an ability to map out where the Center can uniquely contribute to greater access to a college degree. #J-18808-Ljbffr Chicago state university