Assistant Dean for Graduate and International Programs - Law

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

About The Position

The Illinois College of Law seeks a dynamic and experienced professional to provide strategic, administrative, and managerial leadership for the College’s graduate degrees and international education initiatives. The role focuses on growing enrollment, expanding study-abroad and visiting-scholar opportunities, and increasing the geographic diversity of the graduate and international student body. The College offers the LL.M. with seven optional subject-matter concentrations, the M.S.L., and the J.S.D., as well as non-degree offerings including student exchanges, visiting-scholar initiatives, and training and certificate courses. The Assistant Dean oversees the student lifecycle from recruitment through graduation, including marketing, enrollment management, admissions, orientation, academic support and advising, curricular and extracurricular planning, career services, and bar support. In partnership with faculty, the Assistant Dean provides strategic direction to Graduate and International Programs staff, develops sustainable offerings, supports strong learning outcomes, and manages resources in light of relevant trends. The Assistant Dean is expected to assume leadership of the College’s online M.S.L. degree program within three to five years. The position oversees experienced staff and works with the Dean and Senior Director of Finance and Human Resources to manage the program budget. As a member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Assistant Dean collaborates with College leaders and campus partners, including the Graduate College and Illinois International. The role also builds and maintains global partnerships with universities, funding organizations, and international legal networks, including negotiating memoranda of understanding and exchange agreements. 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 1/4/2027. Salary is commensurate with experience, starting at $120,000 and capped at $140,000. The position is eligible for visa sponsorship and work authorization sponsorship.

Requirements

Master’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong time-management and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
Ability to develop positive relationships and collaborate effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, and to cultivate an inclusive environment welcoming a broad range of perspectives.
Demonstrated initiative and strong leadership skills, with the ability to build and sustain productive relationships.
Ability to communicate effectively with others through multiple communication methods.
Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
Professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy, and sound judgment, particularly in difficult or sensitive situations.

Nice To Haves

J.D. or equivalent law degree.
Experience overseeing graduate legal education or external education programs at a law school.

Responsibilities

Oversee the full student lifecycle, from recruitment through graduation, including marketing, enrollment management, admissions, orientation, academic support and advising, curricular and extracurricular planning, career services, and bar support.
Develop and execute strategies to increase enrollment across graduate and international offerings and recruit students from a broader range of countries and regions.
Work with faculty to provide strategic direction and leadership to Graduate and International Programs staff, set priorities, develop sustainable offerings, ensure strong learning outcomes, and manage resources in light of relevant trends.
Assume leadership of the College’s online M.S.L. degree program within three to five years.
Oversee Graduate and International Programs staff.
Work with the Dean and Senior Director of Finance and Human Resources to responsibly manage the program budget and support the College’s broader resource-management objectives.
Serve on the Dean’s leadership team and collaborate with Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, and Directors on organizational and strategic initiatives.
Collaborate with the Graduate College, Illinois International, and other campus units on graduate and international student matters, study-abroad programs, and visiting-scholar initiatives.
Develop and maintain partnerships with universities, funding organizations, and international legal networks around the world.
Negotiate memoranda of understanding, exchange agreements, and related agreements.
Use global partnerships to attract international talent, broaden the geographic diversity of the graduate student body, and enhance the College’s international reputation.