Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement
Posting Category: E
About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.
Application deadline: 8/14/2026
Application procedure: Please upload a resume and cover letter.
Minimum Starting Annual Salary: $90,000
Summary:
The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement is a strategic adviser to the Chief of Staff and Chancellor, responsible for leading, shaping and advancing institutional priorities and driving high impact initiatives aligned with the university's mission and strategic goals. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director provides data informed strategic insight, leads cross functional initiatives and translates complex challenges into actionable strategies that align institutional goals and produce measurable outcomes. The Director also designs and leads engagement strategies, represents the Office of the Chancellor in key internal and external settings, and builds collaborative relationships that strengthen alignment, accountability and institutional performance, all in support of the university's mission and strategic goals.
Duties & Responsibilities:
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Strategic Leadership and Decision Support: Lead the identification, development and execution of high‑priority strategic initiatives, translating institutional priorities into actionable strategies, implementation plans and measurable outcomes. Serve as a senior strategic adviser to the Chief of Staff and Chancellor, providing proactive, data‑informed insight, framing key issues and recommending courses of action. Independently assess emerging opportunities, risks and institutional needs, anticipating decision points and elevating timely analysis and recommendations to executive leadership. Drive initiatives from concept through execution, ensuring accountability, cross‑divisional alignment and demonstrable institutional impact. Inform high‑level decision‑making through analysis, data integration, stakeholder input and environmental scanning to support effective leadership action.
- Strategic Planning and Effectiveness: Play a lead role in institutional strategic planning activities, including development, implementation and ongoing refinement of strategic plans in collaborating with divisional leadership. Monitor, evaluate, and report on progress toward strategic plan goals, establishing frameworks and metrics to track outcomes, identify challenges, and support accountability and course correction. Apply data‑driven and evidence‑based approaches to evaluate initiative effectiveness, identify process improvements and operational efficiencies, and advance a culture of continuous improvement and informed decision‑making.
- Internal and External Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, system partners and community leaders; facilitate communication and coordination to advance shared institutional goals. Represent the Office of the Chancellor in key engagements, initiatives and strategic conversations, strengthening institutional alignment, visibility and partnerships. Design and lead engagement strategies that advance institutional priorities, strategic initiatives and the university’s public presence.
- Additional Leadership Contributions: Serve on institutional committees and strategic working groups. Contribute to special projects and priorities on behalf of the Chief of Staff and Chancellor
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic initiatives, executive advising or complex project management
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and advising senior leaders
- Experience developing strategic recommendations informed by data and stakeholder insight
- Experience representing an organization or executive leadership in meetings, at events and in high level executive settings.
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree
- Experience in higher education, government, nonprofit or other similarly complex mission-driven organizations
- Experience working directly with executive leadership in a strategy or consulting role
- Experience with institutional or organizational strategic planning processes
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strategic mindset with the ability to connect big-picture vision to execution
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into insight
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Ability to collaborate across diverse groups and build consensus
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
Familiarity with project management tools or practices
Commitment to collaboration, responsiveness and continuous improvement
Utmost integrity
Employment Policies and other information:
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement
The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
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 Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.
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.
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.
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.
- You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
- Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:
- Social Security benefit and
- Social Security benefit as a spouse
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. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at [email protected] or call 217-206-6652.
***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***
