Director, Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships/Chief of Staff

Director, Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships/Chief of Staff

Hiring Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

Location:  Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1041067

Posting Close Date: 06/15/2026

Salary:  The budgeted salary range for the position is $150,000 -$175,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications and budget constraints.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) seeks a strategic, collaborative and highly organized leader to serve as Director, Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships and Chief of Staff to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR).

Reporting directly to the VCR, this senior leadership role helps drive the vision, priorities and institutional impact of the research enterprise. Acting on behalf of the VCR, the Director provides strategic leadership and operational coordination across the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), ensuring alignment and execution of high-priority initiatives that advance research growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Director serves as a trusted advisor and key integrator across the university’s research ecosystem, facilitating partnerships and initiatives that strengthen institutional competitiveness and elevate the university’s national and global research profile.

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.

Job Responsibilities

 Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Execution

• Partner with the VCR and OVCR leadership to shape and advance strategic priorities that strengthen the university’s research and innovation enterprise through coordination of different office and staff within OVCR.
• Drive external partnerships for the execution of high-impact initiatives aligned with institutional goals, research growth and innovation priorities.
• Drive programs within the university to unify, centralize, strengthen research and entrepreneurship across campus.
• Monitor progress and outcomes, ensuring accountability and measurable impact.

Operational & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead cross-functional coordination of OVCR initiatives, ensuring alignment, efficiency and timely delivery of strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance service delivery across research, innovation and entrepreneurship support functions.

Executive Communications & Strategic Messaging

• Coordinate Research Communication Director in the development of high-impact internal and external communications on behalf of the VCR, including presentations, reports, briefing materials and external messaging.
• Coordinate Research Communication Director to ensure consistent, strategic messaging that elevates institutional research and innovation priorities and accomplishments.

Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement