Chicago, USA
School of design tenured faculty – school director
at University of Illinois Chicago
The School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is seeking candidates for the position of school director to begin in August 2024.
Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the United States, UIC is a comprehensive urban public research (R1) university that enrolls over 33,500 students and is among the nation’s top five most diverse campuses. The School of Design is one of four schools in the College of Architecture, Design and the Arts, and shares facilities and a close collaborative relationship with the School of Architecture. Serving a student body of approximately 300 undergraduates and 30 graduates, the School of Design offers Bachelor of Design (BDes) in graphic design and industrial design, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in design studies, Bachelor of Science (BS) in computer science and design, and Master of Design (MDes) in graphic and industrial design. In its teaching, research and public programming, the school understands design as a discipline for rigorous inquiry into both what is and what could be, and as an agent for change through the cultivation of dialogue between communities, professions and other social formations. Our mission is to provide advanced design education to a student body that is uniquely diverse in its culture, socio-economic background and national origin.
We seek a leader with a strong intellectual vision who will foster and strengthen relationships both within and outside the field. Candidates must have an outstanding record of creative, scholarly and/or professional achievement, meriting appointment as a tenured professor in the school. Applicants should demonstrate leadership in the field of design in an academic, professional or cultural organisation and have teaching experience in both undergraduate and graduate programmes.
The director will work with the dean of the College of Architecture, Design and the Arts, faculty from the school and staff and administration to realise the mission of the school. The director’s responsibilities include all aspects of the school’s operation: budget and finance, staffing and HR, curriculum oversight, recruitment, accreditation, advancement, public programming and facility use and improvement. The director represents the discipline of design within the college and university as well as the local, national and international community, and works closely with the dean to maintain and cultivate new external relationships with supporters, donors, friends and patrons.
Minimum qualifications include a terminal professional degree (MFA, MDes or international equivalent) and/or PhD, and an established record of academic or professional accomplishments; proven success in working collaboratively to advance knowledge of design and academic programmes; a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in curriculum, the classroom and the field; and a high level of interpersonal skills and integrity.
This position will be a full-time nine-month benefits eligible appointment at the rank of associate or full professor with tenure. Interviews are expected to take place mid to late February 2023. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
For more information about the school, see here.
For fullest consideration, electronic applications must be received by 2 January 2024. Submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and contact info of three or more external references through the UIC job board.
The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the university’s board of trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois system uses e-verify to verify employment eligibility.
The University of Illinois system requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorise inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit here.