Assistant Dean for Advancement - College of AHS

Assistant Dean for Advancement - College of AHS

College of Applied Health Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Based in Urbana-Champaign with hybrid opportunities

The University of Illinois (illinois.edu) is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. Distinguished by the breadth of its programs, academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty, Illinois serves the state, nation, and world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. The campus strategic plan is available at strategicplan.illinois.edu.

The College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) ( ahs.illinois.edu) and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seek a full-time Assistant Dean for Advancement to provide leadership for development and alumni relations activities. AHS promotes health and well-being through learning and engagement, with a focus on optimal living across the lifespan and creating livable, inclusive communities. Our world-classexpert scholars and researchers, and hands-on curricula position AHS at the forefront of research and scholarship that impacts lives globally, including improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

The College offers highly ranked programs in Kinesiology; Health Administration; Public Health; Interdisciplinary Health Sciences; Recreation, Sport and Tourism; Speech and Hearing Science; and Speech-Language Pathology. It also includes the interdisciplinary Center on Health, Aging and Disability, with faculty actively collaborating across campus.

Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES), a unit within AHS, provides accommodations and support for more than 5,300 students with disabilities, including Beckwith Residential Support Services, paratransit, and nationally recognized para-athletic programs and a Paralympic training center.

The Chez Veterans Center (CVC), also within AHS, supports Veteran and military-connected students and their families through coordinated transition services across academic, personal, wellness, and career domains. CVC also serves as a hub for Veteran-related research, outreach, and institutional collaboration.

Over the past 15 years, the College has experienced significant growth, with enrollment increasing by 32% and degree programs expanding, while maintaining a financial reserve. Following an extensive visioning process, AHS will update its strategic plan during the 2026–27 academic year.

During the University’s With Illinois campaign (2017–2022), AHS raised nearly $49 million, more than doubling its previous campaign total. The College is now in the quiet phase of its next campaign and seeks a leader to guide advancement efforts.

Job Summary

Provide leadership for its development and alumni relations activities.

Organizational Relationship

The Assistant Dean for Advancement reports to the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences and to an Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement. The Assistant Dean provides strategic leadership for an advancement program that includes two gift officers, an associate director for external engagement, and an office manager. The College operates under a shared services model, collaborating closely with Administration (budget, facilities, HR), IT, and Communications.

Duties & Responsibilities

Major Gifts and Development Strategy

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual fundraising plan and oversee the College’s prospect portfolio and gift officer assignments.
• Manage personal portfolio of high-level major gift prospects, using a focused and accountable approach of strategy development and implementation. Oversee and provide direction for College’s overall prospect portfolio, and gift officer assignments, engaging the Dean as appropriate.
• Plan and implement effective outreach and cultivation activities to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $50,000 or more, determining the frequency of contact needed.
• Maintain a significant travel schedule (30–40%) to meet with alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
• Facilitate the Dean’s engagement with key donors and prospects.
• Lead the major gift team in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors and in developing proposals for individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Design strategies that align donor interests with University and College priorities.
• Collaborate with advancement colleagues across campus to support coordinated fundraising efforts.

Strategy, Collaboration, and Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with University and College priorities.
• Serve as the Dean’s primary advisor on advancement matters.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with College leadership, faculty, and units to align advancement activities with program priorities.
• Collaborate with OVCIA, the University of Illinois Foundation, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association to advance College goals and serve as a key liaison to these partners.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives and Research Relations to develop corporate partnerships that support research and education initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications to support advancement-related communications and engagement.
• Engage students and student organizations in advancement activities.
• Serve on the College leadership team, the Applied Health Sciences Administrative Council, and other relevant committees.

Management and Budget

• In collaboration with College leadership and OVCIA, manage the advancement budget.
• Provide oversight of staff across major gifts, annual fund, stewardship, and alumni relations functions.
• Hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate advancement personnel.
• Establish policies, procedures, and best practices to support an effective and innovative advancement program.
• Maintain knowledge of higher education trends and College priorities.

Constituent Engagement

• Lead alumni, donor, and corporate engagement efforts that foster long-term relationships with the College.
• In partnership with the Dean, support and manage the College’s Board of Visitors and the Alumni Board.
• Oversee stewardship activities, including events, recognition, and donor reporting.
• Communicate the College’s mission, vision, and priorities to external constituents through coordinated communications and marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with the Office of Marketing and Communications to develop and execute print, electronic, and web-based materials for alumni and donor audiences.
• Ensure consistency of messaging and alignment with the College and University brand.

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 people who are driven by their ability to make a difference.

Within 3 months, you’ll

• Understand the Dean’s and Associate Vice Chancellor’s strategic vision and priorities for the College
• Begin to build positive relationships with key internal constituents and external constituents as well as with leadership and peers in Advancement
• Assess the structure, resources, capabilities, and bandwidth of your advancement office/team as well as individual and collective progress to goals
• Become familiar with the overarching structure of Advancement at Illinois and the alignment between central Advancement services, the University of Illinois Foundation, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association
• Attend professional development and networking activities for newcomers within Advancement
• Meet your assigned Prospect Development Analyst and begin to dig into your portfolio

Within 6 months, you’ll

• Begin cultivating relationships with the key prospects/donors/alumni
• Understand, evaluate, and offer strategic insight into unit-specific advancement opportunities and initiatives
• Be able to share the programmatic and philanthropic needs of units

By the end of the first year, you’ll

• Continue to develop and enhance a trusting and collaborative team culture
• Cooperatively set annual performance goals/metrics with your staff and portfolio management team
• Continue portfolio growth of qualified prospects and successful solicitation strategies
• Partner with OVCIA teams for individual and team coaching, professional development, retreat, and goal-setting opportunities
• Build a robust network of colleagues across campus

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree, with an advanced degree or appropriate professional certification strongly preferred.
• An understanding and commitment to the research, teaching, and engagement mission of the University of Illinois and the College of Applied Health Sciences particularly in the areas of health, aging, disability, and quality of life.
• At least seven years of successful experience in advancement—with at least three years of experience working on major gifts—preferably in a higher education environment.
• Supervisory experience and demonstrated success leading a team.
• An understanding and adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights which is endorsed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement.
• Must be able to travel by all modes of transportation, including planes, on a regular basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated an ability to build successful collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in a position that requires extensive travel.
• An understanding of how to utilize data to plan strategically
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues across the organization to drive multi-unit giving.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of advancement, fundraising and administration in a university environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting partnerships across all constituents and create impactful donor experiences
• Understanding of higher education infrastructure, including institutional leadership, department leadership (faculty chairs/leaders), alumni structure and student experiences, as well as the operations and goals of development and alumni relations teams with a focus on philanthropy.
• Ability to work in a highly self-directed, proactive, and creative manner.
• Ability to function effectively in a large, de-centralized environment. Demonstrate knowledge about advancement and alumni relations. Excellent presentation skills and superior communication skills.
• Knowledge of planned giving fundraising vehicles.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to thrive in a team environment and actively contribute to the team’s success.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exhibit good judgment in making decisions concurrent with University policy.
• Knowledge of the major components of advancement, including development, communications and public relations, alumni relations, and special events

Appointment Information

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 closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range is $140,000 - $160,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 29, 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 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 Amanda Wahba at wahba3@illinois.edu and/or visit our How To Apply site for application tips. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Please note: This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

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 : 1037186

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu