Assistant Director, Strategy, Planning and Implementation

Assistant Director, Strategy, Planning and Implementation

University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Assistant Director for Strategy, Planning and Implementation (SPI) serves as a regular, full time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibility for providing executive leadership within the Office of the Associate Dean and Director of University of Illinois Extension & Outreach. Reporting directly to the Associate Dean and Director of Extension, the Assistant Director of SPI will handle a variety of strategic, administrative, operational and confidential matters with Extension faculty specialists, field staff, volunteers, senior college and university administrators, and government and community leaders and stakeholders. The incumbent will help develop, execute and sustain strategic priorities and initiatives for an integrated senior executive team within University of Illinois Extension in coordination with the College of ACES. Responsibilities include collaboration with members of the Extension leadership team and strategic partners and stakeholders.

One full time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
(Hybrid work schedule is available)

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Extension-wide Strategic Initiatives

• Works closely with the Associate Dean and Director of Extension and Extension leadership in the establishment and support of strategic initiatives in order to accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives effectively.
• Serves as a sounding board for the Associate Dean and Director of Extension, aiding in high-level strategic and long-range planning, and monitoring baseline metrics of success often focusing on sensitive and confidential matters that involve risk.
• Addresses and resolves issues that may have Extension-wide impact and risk in collaboration with Extension leadership.
• Cultivates relationships as directed by the Director of Extension that are necessary to move the strategic direction of Extension forward.
• Develops and leads innovative revenue-generating opportunities for Illinois Extension and coordinates activities with Extension leadership and others as required.
• Leads other strategic ad hoc committees and/or task forces to carry out Extension priorities.

Extension-wide Planning and Implementation

• Serves as the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee to lead, plan, implement and evaluate strategic planning and other major Extension initiatives.
• Works closely with the Associate Dean and Director of Extension and Extension leadership to support the execution of strategic priorities, including providing execution oversight for strategic projects and programs on behalf of the Associate Dean and Director of Extension.
• Leads and coordinates the Extension Academy in collaboration with the Associate Dean and Director of Extension.
• Marshalls appropriate resources, develops and implements policy objectives, strategies and operating plans for various Extension-wide initiatives.
• Provides counsel to leadership team members related to policy, rules and procedures involving discretion and judgement. Provides guidance and interpretation regarding the administration of other guiding principles and governance structures as related to Extension, the College of ACES and campus.
• At the request of the Associate Dean and Director of Extension, serves on special committees and supports strategic projects within Extension, as well as broader College- and University-wide initiatives.
• Provides leadership to Extension’s administrative team concerning the development and implementation of a strategic management plan for executive workflow of the Associate Dean and Director of Extension, including development of executive priorities and management of complex and evolving commitments and projects.
• Works closely with others to establish and implement policies that direct areas of executive administration as deemed necessary by the Associate Dean and Director of Extension, including regular involvement of special initiatives.

SPI Research, Teaching and Other Extension Activities

• Pursues grants and other funding opportunities regarding SPI as related to Illinois Extension. Writes grants as needed.
• Teaches and/or provides guest seminars, presentations, webinars, etc., for the College of ACES academic units, campus and/or community audiences.
• Participates in professional improvement opportunities when appropriate for the role of Assistant Director.
• Provides direct assistance to the Associate Dean in timely response to public and staff concerns.
• Assumes additional strategic and other organizational duties to further the mission of Extension as needed.

Other Information

• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance the mission of the unit.
• Local, regional, and statewide travel required; personal transportation required. Evening/weekend work are an integral part of this position. Travel reimbursement is provided for either personal vehicle use or other means of transportation as coordinated by employee in accordance with University policies.
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Plan.

• Additional Physical Demands

To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served, and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is required. Evening/weekend work are an integral part of this position. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in human resource management, business administration, adult education, higher education or other related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• At least five years of professional experience in leadership, organizational development and/or organizational administration with responsibility for managing administrative projects and processes.
• Successful and progressive experience in strategy, planning, and implementation.
• Experience directing programs and collaborating with teams.
• Experience working with diverse audiences.
• Understanding of and commitment to the land-grant university mission and/or experience with or deep knowledge of the organization, objectives, policies and programs of the Cooperative Extension Service.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than five years of experience within University of Illinois Extension.
• Experience or familiarity working in or with Extension leadership and Extension field staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong oral and written communication skills. Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups. Demonstrated experience with building and maintaining diverse networks. Clear evidence of self-direction and initiative.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure managerial discretion is preferred. Excellent time management skills, including the ability to prioritize work and manage a variety of complex projects simultaneously with accuracy and detail in an integrated environment with changing deadlines, priorities and frequent interruptions. Ability to think broadly while paying attention to detail and to follow through with commitments.

Administrative Relationship
The Assistant Director, SPI is administratively responsible to the Associate Dean and Director, Extension and Outreach.

Appointment Information

Immigration sponsorship is not available for the position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 4, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact search chair Harry Clore at hclore@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, 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. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1016481
Job Category: Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu