Associate Director

Associate Director, Retail Operations – Illini Union Illini Union As the community center of the University, the Illini Union draws together all members of the University with approximately 16,000 visits of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests on a daily basis. We are seeking individuals who can help create and foster communities that strive toward this vision. This includes supporting the academic mission of the University by developing environments conducive to student learning and academic success, respecting, appreciating, and advocating for our student population, and supporting the holistic development of all our students. Job Summary Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for Illini Union Retail, ensuring financial sustainability, service excellence, and continuous innovation within the evolving academic mission of the University, leveraging emerging retail trends and technologies, and driving innovative solutions that enhance the campus retail experience. Direct, plan, and manage the operations of the Illini Union Bookstore as the primary responsibility of this position, serving as Bookstore Director with full accountability for leadership, financial performance, and strategic direction. Provide oversight and coordination for additional retail operations across Illini Union facilities, including the Virtual Store, Tech Zone, Document Services, and Campus Mail. Duties & Responsibilities Planning & Strategic Leadership Provide vision and strategic leadership in the development and execution of a comprehensive retail strategy that supports the academic environment, enhances customer experience, and advances the Illini Union's mission. Direct, establish and evaluate the strategic direction, goal setting, and long‑range planning for all retail departments. Lead innovation initiatives by assessing trends in collegiate and omni‑channel retail, piloting new products, services, delivery models, technologies, and space utilization strategies. Establish adaptable customer service standards that respond to changing campus demographics, learning modalities, and expectations. Direct all retail advertising and promotional strategy in collaboration with the Shared AHW Marketing Department, including integrated marketing campaigns, digital engagement strategies, and signature promotional events. Operations & People Leadership Responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and inclusion that supports professional growth, employee engagement, and high‑performing teams. Lead, mentor, train, supervise, and evaluate direct reports. Responsible for succession planning and leadership development within retail departments. Delegate responsibilities and establish operational structures that ensure efficient, customer‑focused service delivery across multiple retail locations. Responsible for developing staffing models and service levels that align with fiscal responsibility, customer demand, and peak operational cycles. Direct day‑to‑day retail operations, including service delivery, revenue generation, budget control, and staff management across all units. Respond proactively to operational challenges by utilizing internal and external resources and implementing continuous improvement practices. Direct installation, enhancement, and optimization of retail technologies, including POS systems, e‑commerce platforms, inventory controls, and customer engagement tools. Inventory & Merchandising Strategy Provide strategic oversight of merchandise planning, procurement, pricing, sustainable initiatives and vendor negotiations to ensure quality, value, and timely delivery. Establish inventory controls and turnover targets that balance customer needs with financial efficiency. Develop, plan and manage the annual physical inventory process across all retail locations. Financial Management Responsible for developing and managing annual budgets, revenue forecasts, and financial goals for all retail departments. Direct comprehensive analysis of sales, expense, and inventory trends; oversee preparation of variance analyses and strategic financial reports to inform executive decision‑making for all departments. Responsible for accurate record‑keeping using computerized purchasing, inventory management, POS, and commerce systems. Identify opportunities to enhance revenue streams and operational efficiencies through innovation and data‑informed decision making. Responsible for meeting, or exceeding, established revenue goals. Administration & External Engagement Serve as an advisory member of the Bookstore Faculty Liaison Committee and collaborate with academic partners to support instructional needs. Represent the Illini Union through active participation in university, state, regional, and national professional associations, remaining current on best practices and emerging trends. Collaborate across Illini Union departments to ensure an integrated retail and hospitality experience. Perform other related duties as assigned. Schedule and Travel This is a mainly on‑site position. Limited, short‑term hybrid work may be approved by the supervisor under exigent circumstances. Majority of work is performed in an office and retail‑floor environment. Position involves frequent interruptions and competing priorities and frequent activity on the retail floor and in storage areas. Occasional overnight travel is required. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree. Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive retail experience, including senior‑level management responsibility. Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex budgets. Experience establishing policies, procedures, and operational standards. Strong leadership, supervisory, and customer service skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with all levels of stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in business administration or a related field. Ten (10) years of progressive retail leadership experience, preferably in a collegiate or multi‑unit environment. Experience with course materials delivery models and academic partnerships. Ability to work with students, faculty and staff. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Understanding of collegiate retail operations, including budgeting, accounting, marketing, merchandising, cashiering, and inventory control. Working knowledge of retail technology systems, including inventory management, POS, e‑commerce platforms, and data analytics tools. Ability to lead innovation, manage change, and implement strategic initiatives across multiple business units. Ability to manage multiple retail operations simultaneously while maintaining service quality and fiscal accountability. Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills. 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 8/17/2026. Salary is commensurate with experience, with a salary range of $100,000 to $110,000 per year. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign campus on a full‑time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy, limited, short‑term hybrid work may be approved by the supervisor under exigent circumstances. Benefits 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. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr