Associate Provost and Chief of Staff

The Office of the Provost seeks an experienced and exceptional individual to serve as the Associate Provost and Chief of Staff.

The Associate Provost will serve as the Chief of Staff to the Provost and will manage the short and long term critical priorities, initiatives, and activities that relate to academic affairs, including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation for the university. The Associate Provost/Chief of Staff will represent the interests and priorities of the Office of the Provost through effective communication, coordination, and integration of objectives. This position will report directly to the Provost, and the duties will be assigned and performed under the direction and purview of the Provost.

The Associate Provost/Chief of Staff will be responsible for an array of duties. The duties will involve the following: lead or advance initiatives by creating implementation plans in a coordinated and strategic manner; oversee and track strategic initiatives and processes; conduct research, recommend actions, and provide advice to the Provost on complicated, sensitive and confidential issues; and execute projects that require the utmost confidentiality and/or urgency for the University. The Associate Provost will serve as a liaison and resource with other University units and external agencies. As the liaison for the Office of the Provost, the Associate Provost will respond to critical inquiries and manage and facilitate communication between the office and other members of University Administration, faculty, staff, state and federal agencies, and others as needed or requested. The Associate Provost will oversee the Council on Teacher Education (CTE) as well as the HLC accreditation for the university. In order to assist with the HLC accreditation process, the Associate Provost will be permitted to hire a Director of Accreditation. The Associate Provost will intervene as necessary to solve problems in a proactive and positive manner, ensuring collaboration with relevant stakeholders and adherence to state and federal laws and policies of the University and Board of Trustees. The Associate Provost will act as a confidential sounding board and close advisor to the Provost.

Candidates for Associate Provost/Chief of Staff must possess a Ph.D. or another terminal degree; a minimum of five years professional work experience in higher education; and proven ability to work effectively using sound judgement, confidentiality, and discretion in decision making. Essential to the position are strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen to alternative points of view and develop policies and solutions to problems that are in the best long-term interest of the University. This also includes the ability to apply wise judgment. Candidates must have excellent analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills; have the ability to quickly become familiar with University policies and procedures; have the ability to think strategically while balancing several complex agendas; be resilient and self-motivated; and be culturally sensitive and educated to effectively interact with a wide range of people with a positive and inclusive teamwork mindset.

Review of applications will begin September 8, 2021. For fullest consideration, please complete an electronic application, including a letter of interest that clearly sets out qualifications and reasons for seeking the position, curriculum vitae, and contact information for a minimum of three references by September 7, 2021, addressed to search committee chair Dr. Astrida Orle Tantillo, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Nominations, questions or concerns may be directed to Faizan Abid: (312) 996-2706 | fabid2@uic.edu.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, Veteran or disability status.

The University of Illinois conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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 https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899