Open Director position

The School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) seeks candidates for the position of Director to begin August 2024.  

Located in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the United States, UIC is a comprehensive urban public research (R1) university that enrolls over 33,500 students and is among the nation’s top five most diverse campuses. The School of Design is one of four Schools in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts, and shares facilities and a close collaborative relationship with the School of Architecture. Serving a student body of approximately 300 undergraduates and 30 graduates, the School of Design offers Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Graphic Design and Industrial Design, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design Studies, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science+Design, and Master of Design (MDes) in Graphic and Industrial Design. In its teaching, research, and public programming, the School understands design as a discipline for rigorous inquiry into both what is and what could be, and as an agent for change through the cultivation of dialogue between communities, professions, and other social formations. Our mission is to provide advanced design education to a student body that is uniquely diverse in its culture, socio-economic background, and national origin.

We seek a leader with a strong intellectual vision who will foster and strengthen relationships both within and outside the field. Candidates must have an outstanding record of creative, scholarly, and/or professional achievement, meriting appointment as a tenured professor in the School. Applicants should demonstrate leadership in the field of design in an academic, professional, or cultural organization, and have teaching experience in both undergraduate and graduate programs. 

The Director will work with the Dean of the College of Architecture, Design and the Arts; faculty from the School; and staff and administration to realize the mission of the School. The Director’s responsibilities include all aspects of the School’s operation: budget and finance, staffing and HR, curriculum oversight, recruitment, accreditation, advancement, public programming, and facility use and improvement. The Director represents the discipline of Design within the College and University as well as the local, national, and international community, and works closely with the Dean to maintain and cultivate new external relationships with supporters, donors, friends, and patrons. 

For more information about the School, see here. 

For fullest consideration, electronic applications must be received by January 2, 2024. Submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact info of three or more external references through the UIC job board at jobs.uic.edu. 

Please direct nominations and questions or concerns regarding the search and/or application process to the search coordinator, Dragan Krstic, dkrstic@uic.edu. Confidentiality will be observed in the academic search process.

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, Covid-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation