The Office of the Vice
Provost for Undergraduate Education invites nominations and applications for
the position of Assistant Provost for Strategic Curricular Initiatives.
This full-time Academic Professional leadership role oversees strategic coordination
of interdisciplinary and centrally developed curriculum, and manages support
for new program development to promote alignment with institutional priorities. This position plays a
critical leadership role in strengthening cross-college collaboration,
enhancing undergraduate academic innovation, and advancing strategic curricular
transformation across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Interdisciplinary Academic Program Leadership
• Design and oversee administrative structures supporting interdisciplinary majors, minors, and academic programs.
• Coordinate governance, assessment, and operational processes across colleges, schools, and institutes.
• Develop policies and systems to ensure sustainability, clarity of oversight, and academic quality.
• Serve as a liaison among faculty, college/school/institution-level administration, and central campus administration to strengthen interdisciplinary pathways and ensure timely and systematic review and maintenance of interdisciplinary offerings.
Innovative Interdisciplinary Courses
• Oversee centrally administered courses that advance interdisciplinary learning and curricular innovation.
• Ensure academic quality, scalability, and alignment with undergraduate learning goals.
• Partner with faculty and colleges/schools/institutes to develop and refine cross-college course offerings.
• Establish assessment frameworks and operational systems to support high-impact interdisciplinary instruction.
New Academic Program Incubator
• Design and lead a “New Academic Program Incubator” to support colleges in vetting and shaping proposals for new academic programs.
• Develop processes to assess academic viability, financial sustainability, market demand, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Facilitate collaborative program development across colleges where appropriate.
• Guide proposals through early-stage refinement prior to formal campus approval processes.
Innovation in Undergraduate Education Delivery
• Lead campus efforts to explore and design new models for delivering undergraduate education.
• Develop pilot initiatives and scalable frameworks aligned with evolving student needs and institutional goals.
• Coordinate cross-campus stakeholders in the design and implementation of innovative delivery approaches.
• Master’s degree
• Two (2) years experience with academic structures and governance processes.
• Demonstrated experience building consensus and fostering collaboration across academic units.
• Ability to organize and coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to cultivate a culture of partnership and reconciliation.
• Evidence of professional experience building and leading effective teams.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within shared governance structures.
• Ability to build trust across colleges/schools/institutes and central administration.
• Ability to align diverse stakeholders around common institutional priorities.
• Knowledge of strategic vision paired with strong operational execution.
• Skilled in advance innovation while maintaining academic rigor and institutional integrity.
Leadership Expectations
The Assistant Provost
will:
• Operate effectively within shared governance
structures.
• Build trust across colleges/schools/institutes and
central administration.
• Align diverse stakeholders around common
institutional priorities.
• Demonstrate strategic vision paired with strong
operational execution.
• Advance innovation while maintaining academic
rigor and institutional integrity.
This 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 of the search. The salary range for this position is $130,000 -
$170,000. We strive to provide a
competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal
equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining
agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined
through a thorough assessment of these elements. Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 22, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Steiling at steiling@illinois.edu.
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.
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 1036883
Job Category Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
