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Title: Assoc VP Faculty Affairs
Employee Classification: Assoc VP Faculty Affairs
Department: Vice President & Provost
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

Under the guidance of the Provost, the AVPFA (a) provides leadership in faculty personnel issues: recruitment, hiring, onboarding, promotion and tenure, annual evaluation, sabbaticals, leaves, and retirement (b) Serve as the primary liaison for the Office of the Provost on academic personnel policies and on faculty and academic staff development and wellbeing. This position ensures compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements, coordinating policy review and revisions as needed. Accordingly, the individual in this position can expect to work closely with the Office of the General Counsel, Human Resources, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) and others. In collaboration with OGC, HR, OEOA and other units and shared governance bodies, this position will review, interpret, and provide guidance in the application of all academic and labor related personnel policies and matters of concern to faculty and staff, ensuring they are current, transparent, and consistent with national best practices.

The ideal candidate for this role should be prepared for potential changes in their portfolio as the institution undergoes a time of transformation. The successful candidate will be a team player who is adaptable and can manage competing priorities effectively while demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative spirit. The next AVPFA should be an individual who exhibits the collegiality, competence, and professionalism of a senior administrator in the Division of Academic Affairs.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights: 
 
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life 
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options 
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents 
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks 
- Paid benefit time 
 
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$195,000 - $215,000

Required Qualifications

1. Terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline related to the University's curricula
2. A record of outstanding scholarship and teaching, meriting appointment as Professor with tenure within a department or school at Illinois State University
3. A record of full-time administrative leadership experience in dynamic academic organizations, with a record of accomplishments in roles such as dean, associate dean, department chair, or school director, or a comparable full-time leadership role
4. Demonstrated ability to address sensitive issues in a non-confrontational manner
5. A record of impeccable professional integrity, judgement, strong sense of equity, and fairness
6. Familiarity with higher education trends and best practices related to workload equity, inclusive hiring, faculty retention and development, academic labor policy, and federal compliance
7. Demonstrated experience supporting the advancement of student learning, faculty pedagogical skills, or online programming
8. A record of aligning fiscal resources with strategic priorities and demonstrated innovative fiscal management accomplishments in prior administrative roles

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience working in environments with collective bargaining or shared governance
2. Experience supervising academic personnel and human resources processes
3. Demonstrated ability to hold a broad university perspective
4. Deep understanding of the academic lifecycle and the structures that support faculty excellence through their careers
5. Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build relationships across stakeholder groups
6. Experience managing sensitive situations, maintaining confidentiality, and addressing emergent challenges
7. Demonstrated commitment to shared governance, transparency, and fostering an inclusive and collegial environment
8. Demonstrated commitment to advancing Illinois State University's core values of Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity, advancing Illinois State University's core values.

Work Hours

A fast-paced, productive office environment where work demands may extend beyond traditional hours of operation.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

1/1/2026

Special Instructions for Applicants

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Initial review of applications will begin on September 8, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and the name and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval from candidates.

Please note:  the following topics should be covered in the cover letter:

• How the candidate's experiences align with the opportunities and expectations for leadership to address a university-wide perspective
• Ideas for supporting faculty and staff during times of rapid change and institutional transformation
• Effective strategies for ensuring faculty and staff success across all stages of their careers

Please see more information about this position here: Office of the Provost - Current Opportunities

Contact Information for Applicants

Cindy Lotz
Director, Executive Search Services
cllotz@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.