Senior Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement

Senior Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement

Search Extended until June 12, 2026

Hiring Department : College of Business Administration

Location : Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID : 1040614

Posting Close Date : May 29, 2026

Salary: The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $200,000.

We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factorssuch as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience andqualifications, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will bedetermined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Thisposition is intended to be eligiblefor benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employeesand dependents.


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 over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

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.

Position Summary

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.

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
• Demontrated 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

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.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

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.