Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement

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.

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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 collaboration 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Skills

• 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.

Pay

Minimum starting annual salary: $90,000.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• Retirement Plan.
• Paid time off.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. 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 earnings 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.