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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Associate Dean for Administration

Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Administration serves as the senior budgetary and financial officer for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This role provides strategic financial leadership and expert advice to the Dean on all matters related to budgeting, finance, resource allocation. The Associate Dean develops and implements policies, procedures, and financial models that support the College’s strategic vision and goals. This position represents the College in campus-wide budget and finance forums, and oversees College-level financial operations to ensure efficiency, compliance, and fiscal sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Planning and Budgeting

·      Develop short- and long- term financial projections, model various scenarios, and provide financial reports and analyses to inform strategic decision-making, goal setting, and resource allocation.

·      Create and advance a sustainable financial strategy for the College

·      Assess the financial viability of departments by analyzing revenues, expenses, reserves, and sustainability; recommend subsidies or adjustments as needed.

·      Advise on efficient organizational structures, centralization vs. decentralization of functions, and funding mechanisms that incentivize alignment with College priorities.

·      Prepare the College’s annual recurring state budget and implement annual pay increase programs for unionized and non-unionized faculty and staff.

·      Manage cash flow, year-end financial closings, and resolution of account-level deficits.

·      Provide ad-hoc reports to College, campus, and unit leadership.

Leadership and Representation

·      Advise the Dean and executive officers on resource allocation, policy implementation and best practices.

·      Represent the College at campus-wide budget and finance meetings, task forces, and committees.

·      Provide leadership to departmental business managers on finance and budgetary matters, policies, procedures and best practices.

·      Supervise College-level business and financial staff.

·      Oversee day-to-day financial and business operations in the Dean’s Office, including budget setting, variance analysis, and resource projections for college-level cost centers including IT, Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and College Student Learning Centers.

·      Collaborate with other Associate Deans and College leadership on special projects and initiatives.

Compliance, Operations, and Risk Management

·      Ensure compliance with College and campus policies and procedures; implement them efficiently within the College.

·      Establish internal controls and efficient processes across departments to minimize risk.

·      Review documents including gift agreements, contracts, MOUs, and budgets for faculty and new programs.

Required Qualifications

• CPA or Master’s Degree in finance, business administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience as a budget or finance professional in higher education.
• At least 5 years of experience managing and supervising a team of professional staff.
• Expert proficiency in Excel; experience with Tableau or other financial reporting and data visualization tools preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve problems creatively, build collaborative relationships, and exercise sound judgment in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Salary and Benefits 

The budgeted salary range for the position is $175,000-$225,000. 

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.

Application Instructions

For fullest consideration, please upload a resume, cover letter and the names and contact information for professional references to the UIC Job Board by September 4, 2026. The position close date is September 11, 2026.

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 review our non-discrimination statement and additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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.

The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.