Assistant Dean for Community, Culture, and Engagement - School of Information Sciences

Assistant Dean for Community, Culture, and Engagement - School of Information Sciences

School of Information Sciences

The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) at the University of Illinois invites applications from qualified individuals for a 100% full-time Assistant Dean for Community, Culture, and Engagement.


The iSchool at Illinois makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals through teaching, research, and public engagement. Our mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives. We engage in inclusive community partnerships, working beyond geographic boundaries to benefit the social good. We believe in the power of information to change the world. For more information about iSchool, visit

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Community, Culture, and Engagement (CCE), this position leads the implementation of strategic priorities and initiatives that advance faculty engagement, student learning, a culture of belonging, and the iSchool's public impact. The Assistant Dean is responsible for program planning, execution, assessment, and continuous improvement, as well as leading daily operations and staff supervision in the Office of Community, Culture, and Engagement.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
  
  
  • Partner with the Associate Dean of CCE to implement strategic priorities and contribute to the development of the Office’s strategic direction and plans.
  • Translate strategic goals into operational plans, initiatives, and scalable systems.
  • Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of services and programs across experiential learning, domestic and global career development, external partnership, and engaged scholarship
  • Develop and implement programs, workshops, and training initiatives that foster a culture of belonging and support an inclusive environment for all iSchool community members.
  • Establish and conduct methods of analysis to assess program effectiveness and impact.
• Organizational and Staff Management
  
  
  • Build and maintain sustainable organizational systems, workflows, and processes to support program effectiveness and growth.
  • Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development for CCE staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture, including providing guidance, reviewing work as needed, helping staff to set goals, and completing performance reviews.
• Faculty, Students, and Academic Engagement
  
  
  • Collaborate with faculty to develop, implement, and integrate experiential learning and engaged scholarship initiatives into curricula, programs, and research activities as core components of the iSchool’s academic mission.
  • Develop and sustain a coordinated, school-wide engagement portfolio by aligning and connecting faculty, student, and programmatic efforts, reducing fragmentation and strengthening a cohesive infrastructure for community-engaged work.
• Campus and Community Representation
  
  
  • Represent the iSchool in, and serve as a liaison for, campus-level initiatives related to engagement, access, and community partnerships.
  • Develop and sustain strategic relationships with industry, public sector, and community partners.
  • Strengthen employer and partner pipelines that support student experiential learning opportunities and career pathways.
  • Oversee the negotiation and coordination of contracting processes with external stakeholders.
  • Partner with the iSchool Communications and Marketing and Advancement areas to enhance visibility, impact, and funding opportunities.

Additional Physical Demands

Work is performed in a typical office environment. Some evening and weekend hours may be required, to organize and attend program events.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in a related field.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in academic administration, leadership, or research organization.
• Experience in experiential learning, community engagement, or external partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to build, implement and operationalize an organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex initiatives.
• Experience supervising staff and/or leading teams, including assigning work, evaluating performance, and supporting professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in Higher education administration, Public administration, Organizational Leadership, Community Development, Workforce Development, Information Sciences, Education, Social innovation, or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in academic administration, leadership, or research organization.
• Experience working across academic, industry, and public sector environments
• Experience with program assessment, data analytics, and impact evaluation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Organizational leadership and team management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Knowledge of data-informed decision-making and program implementation and evaluation.
• Experience with partnership development and cross-sector collaboration.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional positions, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000 to $120,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. Hybrid work options may be available for this position after an initial training period, but with the requirement that onsite availability may be needed at any time with short notice. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on May 22, 2026 . Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names and contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences. Interviews may occur before the close date; however, all applications received by the close date will receive full consideration. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].

Requisition ID : 1036140

Job Category : Education & Student Services

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