Senior Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement

Position Summary The Senior Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement leads cross-cutting initiatives to expand the college's external reach, enhance its institutional visibility, and build long-term strategic partnerships across industry, academia, and the public sector. Serving as a key advisor and liaison to the Dean, this position plays a central coordinating role in ensuring the effective implementation of the college's strategic priorities. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, Department Heads, and Associate Deans, mobilizes and aligns multiple stakeholders to execute initiatives that advance the college's mission. This role leads the college's corporate and external partnership strategy, including industry engagement, experiential learning partnerships, and thought leadership initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for students. Works in close partnership with the University's Advancement office to ensure strategic alignment information sharing and coordination related to external relationships. Duties Responsibilities Serve as lead for the execution of initiatives outlined in the UIC Business Strategic Plan, track progress and report on milestones related to strategic priorities, advising the Dean and leadership team on opportunities, gaps, and adjustments. Coordinate with the UEOs across all departments to ensure alignment between strategic priorities and ongoing activities, especially those involving public/private partnerships, novel curriculum development, and external communications. Lead efforts to cultivate and expand industry partnerships across the Chicagoland region that align with the college’s educational, experiential, and workforce development priorities. Serve as a connector between faculty and staff and industry stakeholders for opportunities such as curriculum input, internship pipelines, projects for experiential student learning, and upskilling for business professionals. Host and serve as a liaison with high-profile visitors, delegations, and dignitaries in alignment with the college’s external positioning goals. Partner closely with the college’s Advancement office and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Advancement colleagues to align communication and strategy for corporate partners engaged in non-philanthropic activities who may also be donors, ensuring a coordinated, institutionally consistent approach that maximizes the overall value of the relationship Establish partnerships in the Chicago business community and beyond that elevate the college's reputation, student success, student experiential learning, and strategic expansion of degree programs.