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Managing Director of Academic Strategy & Programs

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

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Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
Date:  Apr 4, 2025
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62701

Job Requisition ID:  46203

Job Requisition ID: 46203 
Closing Date/Time: 04/25/2025
​Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education
Class Title: Managing Director - 81513 
Salary: commensurate with experience, within the range of $148,500 - not to exceed $175,000/yr
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
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Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: None

 


****A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****

 

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) AND COVER LETTER, a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Illinois Board of Higher Education must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

 

 

About the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)
IBHE has been supporting higher education in Illinois for more than 50 years. We are a dedicatedteam of professionals, overseen by a Board appointed by the Governor, who are working for astrong, equitable higher education system, which we believe is essential for the state to thrive. Wework with leaders in colleges, universities, state and federal government agencies, governors,legislators, and other entities to strategically further this mission.


In its strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, IBHE has identified three goals and 25 strategies to help achieve its vision of a higher education ecosystem that ensures individuals, families, and communities across the state thrive.
 

Equity
- Close equity gaps for students who have been left behind.


Sustainability
- Build a stronger financial future for individuals and institutions.


Growth
- Increase talent and innovation that drives economic growth.

 


We offer the state’s competitive employee benefits package

 

About the position:

The Managing Director of Academic Strategy & Programs leads the agency work in ensuring high quality academic programs, consumer (student) protection,, and student supports, in alignment with and to advance the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois; Serves as a member of the IBHE Leadership team and oversees agency organizational units including Academic Affairs and Student Success, establishing and executing on an ambitious vision. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Sets the vision and leads the agency’s work of ensuring high quality academic programs, consumer (student) protection, and student supports are in place across the higher education ecosystem, in alignment with and to advance the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois; Stays abreast of and draws on deep knowledge of national and state higher education policies and practices
  • As a member of the Leadership team, partners with the Senior Managing Director to set direction, execution, and success, including participating in the agency’s annual planning, budgeting, and goal-setting processes
  • Oversees the Academic Affairs unit, including but not limited to the review and authorization of college and university applications for new degree programs, reorganization and consolidations, managing the student complaint process, academic initiatives and academic-related grant oversight
  • Helps create, establish the vision and then oversees the Student Success unit, a new agency unit charged with ensuring institutions are effectively meeting student academic and non-academic needs, are effectively implementing Equity Plans and Practices to aid in the success of every student, and overseeing related grants, programs, and initiatives
  • Builds and maintains high performing teams by way of coaching, developing, and drawing out the best work from staff
  • Facilitate synergies across departments, institutions, and agencies, providing high-level coordination to ensure peak effectiveness
  • Other duties as assigned, reasonably within scope of primary position

Requirements and Qualifications

Required: 

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs/Services, Educational Administration/Leadership, Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, Higher Education Policy or related field

 

Preferred:

  • PhD or equivalent in a related field

Experience:

Required:

  • Ten (10)+ years’ or more years of related experience 
  • Five (5)+ years’ of supervision of professional staff

 

Strongly preferred:

  • Experience working within a higher education institution (e.g., academic affairs, student support, administrative leadership)

Knowledge Requirements:

  • Knowledge of higher education policy, academic programs, and innovations, including equity and student supports
  • Understanding of student retention and success initiatives and strategies
  • Ability to understand policy impact at the institutional and state levels

Skills and Traits:

  • Strong organizational leader, with clarity of purpose, passion for education and public service, and commitment to advancing equity for students underrepresented in higher education
  • Ability to develop, set, and execute on a vision for the organizational division
  • Sound judgement to assess and make recommendations in various contexts, including national, state, and institutional
  • Strategic thinker with rapid problem-solving skills to effectively handle a variety of situations
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to write clearly, edit well, and make effective public presentations, including using data visualizations effectively
  • Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and draw out the best work from staff
  • Collaborative leader who values teamwork and cooperation

 ​Work Hours: 8:00 am- 4:00 pm Mon-Fri
Work Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz Springfield, IL 62701-1323*

*IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion. IL Residency is required. Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work.
Agency Contact: IBHE Human Resources
Email: humanresources@ibhe.org
Phone #: (217) 782-2551
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Education

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Springfield

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