Assistant/Associate Vice Chancellor for Engagement & Involvement - OVCIA
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
life insurance, paid time off, retirement plan
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 United States, Illinois, Urbana | |
 Jul 21, 2026 | |
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Assistant/Associate Vice Chancellor for Engagement & Involvement Office of the Vice Chancellor for Engagement & Involvement University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks an Assistant/Associate Vice Chancellor for Engagement & Involvement (AVC-EI) to provide strategic leadership for constituent engagement, annual giving, donor relations and stewardship, volunteer leadership, and lifelong involvement across the university's advancement enterprise. This position will develop and advance enterprise-wide engagement strategies that strengthen connections with alumni, donors, volunteers, students, families, and friends of the university - creating meaningful experiences that inspire philanthropic support, deepen institutional affinity, and contribute to long-term fundraising success. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who brings strategic vision, organizational leadership, and a passion for building relationships at scale. This individual will demonstrate exceptional communication, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through influence in a complex, decentralized environment. The successful candidate will have experience guiding cross-functional teams, developing innovative engagement strategies, and partnering with senior leaders to drive organizational alignment, constituent participation, and philanthropic impact. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global, preeminent university. Since its founding in 1867, it has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. The OVCIA serves as the operational backbone and strategic integrator of advancement at Illinois - providing the infrastructure, governance, and leadership necessary to enable a high-performing, coordinated enterprise. Through a commitment to consistency, transparency, and data-informed decision-making, OVCIA works to reduce friction, strengthen alignment, and support meaningful engagement and long-term philanthropic impact across the university. Organizational Relationships & Job Summary Operating within a decentralized environment, the AVC-EI partners closely with OVCIA leadership, unit-based advancement teams, the University of Illinois Alumni Association (UIAA), the University of Illinois Foundation (UIF), and university stakeholders to develop and implement enterprise-wide strategies that strengthen constituent involvement and long-term institutional engagement and affinity. During times when the university is in a fundraising campaign, the AVC-EI will also work very closely with the Executive Director of Campaign Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement to ensure application of enterprise engagement frameworks to deliver a cohesive, high-impact campaign. This role is centered on engagement as a strategic driver of constituent involvement, philanthropy, and long term institutional loyalty, rather than frontline gift solicitation. Managing multiple areas and a team of approximately 20 staff, with growth expected, the AVC-EI integrates engagement, marketing, volunteer leadership, annual giving, and donor relations and stewardship strategies across the full constituent lifecycle, ensuring that programs, communications, and experiences deliver meaningful value to alumni, donors, volunteers, students, families, and other university stakeholders. Duties and Responsibilities Engagement & Experiences Annual Giving (Centralized Model) Alumni & Stakeholder Engagement Volunteer & International Engagement Donor Relations & Stewardship (Engagement Centered Model) Communications & Marketing Enablement Collaboration & Integration Measures of Success Sustained growth of breadth and depth of alumni and stakeholder involvement and long-term affinity, including alignment with CASE Alumni Engagement Metrics.Impact in Your First Year At Advancement at Illinois, we value our employees and provide resources to help you continually learn and grow. We foster a strong, collaborative community of professionals who are driven by their ability to make a meaningful impact.Within 3 months, you'll: Within 6 months, you'll: By the end of the first year, you'll: Minimum Qualifications* Bachelor's degree * For the Assistant Vice Chancellor, a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in advancement, alumni relations, constituent engagement, annual giving, donor relations, stewardship, communications, nonprofit leadership or related fields. For the title of Associate Vice Chancellor, a minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible professional experience in advancement, alumni relations, constituent engagement, annual giving, donor relations, stewardship, communications, nonprofit leadership or related fields. * For the Assistant Vice Chancellor, a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience, including responsibility for managing staff, teams, programs, or organizational functions. For the title of Associate Vice Chancellor, a minimum of 7 years of leadership experience, including responsibility for managing staff, teams, programs, or organizational functions. * Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic initiatives that drive engagement, involvement, relationship-building, philanthropic support, or organizational growth. * Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and building partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups. * Experience utilizing data, metrics, and constituent insights to inform decision-making, assess, outcomes, and improve performance. Preferred Qualifications* Master's degree or other advanced degree in higher education, nonprofit management, business, communications, public administration, or a related field. * Experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide engagement or participation strategies in a decentralized organization. * Demonstrated success leading teams through organizational growth, change, or transformation. * Experience managing complex budgets and multiple functional areas. * Experience with implementing and leveraging artificial intelligence effectively toward engagement goals. Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesStrategic Leadership & Vision : Ability to develop and communicate a compelling vision that aligns engagement, involvement, annual giving, donor relations, and stewardship with institutional priorities and philanthropic goals. * Leadership Through Influence: Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive alignment without direct authority in complex, decentralized environments. * Organizational & Change Leadership: Ability to lead teams and initiatives through growth, change, and continuous improvement while fostering collaboration and accountability. * Communication & Executive Presence: Ability to communicate effectively with others including, the ability to effectively engage senior leaders, volunteers, donors, and stakeholder groups * Collaboration & Partnership Development: Ability to establish and sustain productive relationships across organizational boundaries, aligning multiple stakeholders around shared goals. * Constituent Engagement & Relationship Building: Deep understanding of engagement strategies that foster lifelong relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, students, families, and other stakeholders. * Project & Resource Management: Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance competing priorities, manage resources effectively, and deliver results in a complex environment. * Data-Informed Decision Making: Ability to leverage data, metrics, and constituent insights to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and inform strategic decisions. * Adaptability & Problem Solving: Ability to navigate ambiguity, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive solutions in a fast-paced, evolving environment. * Experience partnering with separately governed alumni associations and integrating marketing/communications in matrixed models. Appointment InformationThis is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budget salary range for this position is $200,000- $220,000 at the Assistant Vice Chancellor level and $210,000-$230,000 at the Associate Vice Chancellor Level. When extending job offers, the University of Illinois carefully considers factors such as (but not limited to) the role's responsibilities, the candidate's experience and education, essential skills, internal peer equity, budget constraints, and the market trends. The rate provided reflects the University's good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 17, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone number, and the email addresses of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Katie Walker at walker74@illinois.edu and or visit our Application FAQ site for tips. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive. Champaign-Urbana Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. 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, 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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu. Requisition ID: 1037421 Apply Now
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