Associate Dean, Director Employer Engagement and Programming

About the Institution

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars for over 150 years. Located in downtown Chicago, SAIC offers an interdisciplinary approach to art and design, supported by world-class resources including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. With a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC empowers students to take creative risks and transform Chicago and the world. Notable alumni and faculty include Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

SAIC is reimagining student support across the full arc of their academic and professional journey. Through the restructuring of Academic Advising, Career and Professional Experience, and Student Success, three interconnected functional areas—First Year Student Success, Academic & Career Coaching, and Employer Partnerships & Internships—will create a more integrated and forward-looking approach. The Employer Partnerships & Internships area strengthens connections between the SAIC experience and professional communities, leading strategic employer engagement, the Internship Program, and career readiness resources. This initiative expands opportunities for students and alumni to build career knowledge, skills, networks, and experiences while creating stronger pathways to internships and employment in art, design, and related industries.

About the Role

The Associate Dean, Director of Employer Engagement and Programming provides strategic leadership in developing and executing a comprehensive employer engagement strategy that connects SAIC students and alumni with career opportunities across art, design, and related industries. This role oversees staff, programs, and policies to advance strategic partnerships with employers and professional communities, expanding access to internships, employment opportunities, and career pathways. Through data-informed leadership and relationship-building, the position strengthens employer partnerships and equips students and alumni with the tools needed to confidently pursue their career goals.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic employer engagement plan that expands on-campus and virtual recruiting opportunities for students and alumni
• Builds and maintains relationships with a wide range of employers across creative, nonprofit, corporate, and emerging sectors
• Designs and manages a robust programming series featuring diverse professionals and thought leaders in art, design, and interdisciplinary fields
• Creates structured pipelines for internships, freelance work, residencies, and full-time employment opportunities
• Collaborates with academic departments to develop and integrate external partnerships into classroom experiences, including sponsored projects and industry collaborations
• Identifies, cultivates, and sustains long-term partnerships that align with institutional priorities such as equity, innovation, and global engagement
• Establishes systems and processes for tracking employer engagement, student participation, and employment outcomes
• Leads outreach efforts to increase employer participation in recruiting events, portfolio reviews, and networking opportunities
• Supervises staff and manages resources dedicated to employer relations and programming initiatives, including the internship program
• Represents the institution externally with employers, industry organizations, and professional networks
• Analyzes data and trends to inform strategic decisions and continuously improve programming and engagement efforts
• Exercises a high level of independent judgment in developing partnerships, setting priorities, and executing initiatives aligned with institutional goals

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree (MFA, MA, or related field) preferred
• Minimum of 7–10 years of professional experience in employer relations, career services, partnership development, or a related field (an equivalent amount of training, education, and experience will be considered)
• Demonstrated experience building and managing employer partnerships or recruiting pipelines
• Experience working within or closely with creative industries such as art, design, media, or cultural organizations
• Experience in higher education or academic collaboration is strongly preferred
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to develop long-term partnership initiatives
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills across diverse audiences
• Knowledge of current trends in creative industries and the evolving job market for artists and designers
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate programs that support career development and employer engagement
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking and professional writing
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners
• Data-informed decision-making skills, including the ability to track and assess outcomes
• Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities
• High level of initiative, adaptability, and independent judgment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in employer engagement and student opportunity access

Benefits

SAIC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package. For details, please visit the SAIC employment page.

Pay

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons.