Director of Engineering Leadership Institute

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida is hiring a Director of the Engineering Leadership Institute (ELI) for a full-time faculty position. Classification title and faculty rank will be determined based on education and experience. The Director reports to the Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. ELI’s vision is to lead the nation in engineering leadership education through comprehensive, high-impact curricula and certificate programs and by empowering a broad community of future engineering leaders. Its mission is to develop principle-based, character-focused, creative leaders who bring critical perspectives and sound judgment to leadership and other important roles in society. As the College’s central source of leadership education and training, ELI contributes to interdisciplinary research and education and fosters a culture of leadership among faculty, students, and staff. Located in the Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence, ELI offers undergraduate and graduate coursework and certificate programs in engineering leadership, engineering project management, and engineering and AI ethics and safety. Since 2011, more than 16,000 students have completed ELI coursework and nearly 1,000 have earned certificates in engineering leadership or engineering project management. ELI has three other permanent faculty members, 14 additional supporting personnel, adjunct instructors, an Advisory Board, faculty fellows, affiliates, and partners. The institute is positioned to expand academic programs, engagement with current and former students, and educational outreach to external partners. The Director will lead ELI’s academic, strategic, operational, and external engagement activities; support its staff and collaborators; manage its budget and fiscal planning; and teach ELI courses. The anticipated start date is January 2, 2027. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Master’s degree in engineering.
Experience successfully leading organizations in industry and/or academia and partnering with external advisory boards.
Experience with successful internal and external stakeholder engagement, including nurturing donor relationships and fundraising.
Good communication skills, presence, and high energy.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
Experience in proposal writing and fundraising.
Experience building and infusing organizational culture.
A program/project manager mentality.
UF HWCOE graduate.

Responsibilities

Ensure fulfillment of ELI’s vision and mission and communicate the vision regularly to internal and external stakeholders.
Oversee curriculum enhancement and creation of innovative degree initiatives and academic programs in collaboration with HWCOE leadership, the ELI Advisory Board, and college and university units and individuals.
Ensure curriculum relevance by evaluating and applying career-readiness competencies, assessing courses and programs, and surveying current and former students and employers.
Partner with HWCOE Advancement officers to develop donor relationships and actively fundraise for existing and planned ELI activities.
Lead grant proposal writing and submissions to support ELI activities and initiatives.
Support development and implementation of leadership training programs for external, non-UF entities.
Partner closely with the ELI Advisory Board, meet with it each semester, and engage members in events and other activities.
Lead, mentor, support, and build camaraderie among ELI staff.
Perform administrative duties, including reporting to the Florida Board of Governors, UF Office of Institutional Planning and Research, UF Advancement, and the Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Contribute to planning ELI events, including the Linda Parker Hudson Leader-in-Residence Program.
Manage the ELI budget and lead fiscal planning activities.
Teach ELI courses, ideally in project management, leadership, or professional development for doctoral students.
Engage actively in American Society of Engineering Education LEADs Division activities.
Administer the ELI Faculty Fellows, ELI Partners, and Kirkland Engineering Leadership Professor Programs, including selecting participants, holding regular meetings, and building a coalition of internal and external collaborators.
Collaborate with HWCOE partners, including the Engineering Innovation Institute, Department of Engineering Education, HWCOE faculty, and academic advisors.
Meet regularly with the HWCOE Senior Associate Dean and Dean as required.
Support expansion of extracurricular student programming and alumni outreach activities.