<p>Northern Illinois University (NIU) seeks a dynamic, collaborative leader to serve as the next Vice President for Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development.</p> <p>NIU is a high research activity (R2) and Carnegie-engaged institution with an enrollment of 16,078 students including approximately 12,000 undergrads and 4,000 graduate students. The Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development is a highly entrepreneurial division with more than 20 departments and units that fit broadly into four categories- business and government; K-12 Educational Support and Policy; Community; and Continuing Education. The division also manages NIU's regional centers in Rockford and Naperville.</p> <p>Located 65 miles from downtown Chicago, in DeKalb, Illinois, NIU is a thriving and diverse community of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, local residents and friends. Together, we support the goal of advancing social mobility for students while creating an enduring impact on the future.</p> <p>The successful candidate will enhance the university's growing reputation as a leading public and national research university; build on the institution's substantial strengths in teaching, research, engagement and outreach; and, importantly, share in NIU's commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive learning and living environment.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>The Vice President for Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development (VPOERD) serves as NIU's chief engagement officer, setting the vision and providing institution-wide leadership to advance NIU's public mission. The role is responsible for ongoing development and institutional implementation of NIU's Centering Engagement, Driving Impact action plan and for sustaining a university-wide infrastructure that supports engaged scholarship, community-engaged learning, and mutually beneficial partnerships-positioning NIU as a national model of excellence and maintaining the institution's Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement. OERD is a highly entrepreneurial division, generating 80% of its own $18-20 million budget with approximately 250 FTEs.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <p>Strategy, Vision and Institutional Leadership</p> <ul> <li>Champion NIU's principles of community engagement; embed standards of reciprocity, mutual benefit, and scholarship across teaching, research and artistry and all engagement activities. </li><li>Lead and execute the Centering Engagement, Driving Impact 2025-2028 action plan, in close collaboration with the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation Partnerships, Student Affairs; Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NIU's seven degree granting colleges, University Libraries and the Graduate School. </li><li>Model collaborative leadership across the institution as a member of the President's Senior Roundtable, Strategic Development Team, and other campus-wide consortia in which senior leaders leverage resources and relationships across divisional boundaries to advance institutional goals. </li><li>Co-lead the Engagement Roundtable with the Executive Vice President & Provost. </li><li>Align OERD's departments and programs with NIU institutional goals and regional needs </li><li>Closely monitor and ensure the success of the division's revenue-generating units. </li></ul> <p>Division Leadership and Portfolio Development and Oversight</p> <ul> <li> <p>Provide executive leadership for OERD, including strategic, financial, and operational development and oversight of OERD core functions, which currently include:</p> </li><li> <p>Outreach and Engagement</p> </li><li> <p>Leadership, partnership and support for faculty, staff, students, and community members interested in pursuing engaged learning, research and service initiatives.</p> </li><li> <p>Ensure ongoing development and improvement of the campus engagement infrastructure to support data collection, impact measurement, and communications.</p> </li><li> <p>Create and curate meaningful community engagement professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and community members.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with Academic Affairs to support community-engaged courses.</p> </li><li> <p>Create and support institutional efforts to maintain trusting relationships with the regional community.</p> </li><li> <p>Create and maintain meaningful hyperlocal, place-based community engagement initiatives to address regional needs.</p> </li><li> <p>Regional Development</p> </li><li> <p>Provide leadership and direction for the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), an applied research and service provider for local government, regional public and nonprofit organizations and state agencies. CGS practice areas include workforce, economic and community development; demographic and economic analysis; strategic and comprehensive planning; organizational study and design; leadership and governance training; and civic association management.</p> </li><li> <p>Partner with university administrators, academic leaders and faculty on regional workforce and economic development initiatives.</p> </li><li> <p>Regional Footprint</p> </li><li> <p>Provide leadership and direction to ensure the effective and efficient operation of NIU's regional centers in Naperville and Rockford. This includes maintaining high quality learning environments for students, excellent customer service for conference services and building tenants; meaningful partnerships to address local challenges; and excellent relationships with regional partners, clients, and alumni.</p> </li><li> <p>Oversee Northern Public Radio, helping to ensure its effective operation while maintaining an appropriate level of partnership and editorial independence.</p> </li><li> <p>Student Engagement</p> </li><li> <p>Create and curate meaningful engagement opportunities for NIU students, in partnership with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, colleges, and other campus partners.</p> </li><li> <p>Ensure the successful operation of NIU Esports, creating community for NIU students and linking activities to institutional recruitment and retention efforts.</p> </li><li> <p>Education Partnerships</p> </li><li> <p>Provide a home for statewide education policy programs focused on education and career pathways, data management for P-20 systems, and early learning. Ensure close collaboration between OERD-based groups and activities and relevant academic units.</p> </li><li> <p>Secure NIU's continuing status as a Carnegie Engaged Institution through institutional alignment, robust impact measurement and support systems and processes to ensure internal and external partner voice.</p> </li></ul> <p>Partnerships and Community Relations</p> <ul> <li>Serve as a visible ambassador for NIU across Northern Illinois and Chicagoland; cultivate reciprocal partnerships with civic, governmental, corporate, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. </li><li>Coordinate with the President's Office and appropriate NIU colleagues to align public service, policy engagement and philanthropy in support of shared community outcomes. </li></ul> <p>Communications and Public Engagement</p> <ul> <li>Tell NIU's engagement story through impact reports, toolkits and digital channels; elevate faculty, staff and student excellence as well as partner voices and community outcomes. </li><li>Oversee public media outreach through Northern Public Radio, ensuring editorial independence, community relevance and alignment with NIU's public mission. </li></ul> <p>Data, Evidence and Accountability</p> <ul> <li>Develop and maintain a robust engagement data system (people, programs, partnerships, outcomes) to support planning, Carnegie documentation, accreditation, national recognitions, and strategic decision-making. </li><li>Publish annual impact reports and case studies that highlight faculty, staff, student, and community partner outcomes and inform continuous quality improvement. </li></ul> <p>Resource Development and External Funding</p> <ul> <li>Steward OERD's long-standing external funding profile and strengthen pipeline development. </li><li>Grow diversified revenue streams (grants, contracts, philanthropy, underwriting, fee-for-service) to sustain and expand engagement. </li></ul> <p>Inclusive Excellence and Ethical Engagement</p> <ul> <li>Ensure equity-centered, culturally responsive engagement that expands opportunity for all. </li></ul> <p>Key Competencies</p> <ul> <li>Inclusive leadership-Committed to equity, accessibility, and community voice throughout planning and practice. </li><li>Strategic systems builder-Able to institutionalize engagement across research, teaching, and service, in a highly collaborative manner. </li><li>Partnership excellence-Skilled in co-creation, reciprocity, and long-term relationship stewardship consistent with Carnegie and top university standards. </li><li>Measurement & storytelling-Fluent in impact metrics, dashboards and compelling public narratives. </li><li>Executive presence - Excellent oral and written communication skills; high emotional intelligence; effective in media interactions. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Specialty Factors (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Master's degree (doctorate preferred) and progressively responsible leadership experience in community engagement, public service, regional/economic development, or related fields within higher education, government, or nonprofit sectors. </li><li>Demonstrated success building multi-sector partnerships and leading complex organizations/portfolios with external funding, grants and contracts. </li><li>Evidence of supporting community engaged scholarship and teaching and managing university-community initiatives at scale. </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements (SPS)</p> <p>n/a</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Experience with public media organizations, regional centers, and applied policy/technical assistance units. </li><li>Demonstrated success collaborating with academic units on a university campus in support of pedagogical and research initiatives relating to community engagement, public impact, and economic development. </li></ul> <p>Physical demands/requirements</p> <p>For physical demands and requirements please see human resources policies and protocols.</p>