Vice President for Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development (35963)

Position Information Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title: Vice President for Outreach Engagement and Regional Development Position Number: 00035963 Open Date: 03032026 Close Date: 04122026 Priority Review Date: 04122026 Employee Class: Staff Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time FTE: 1.00 Position Status: Regular FLSA Exempt: Yes Job Code: 1720 Union Representation: Non-Union Union Code: NA Unit/Department: Presidents Office College/Unit: Presidents Office Division: Univ Administrative Services Location: LH 307 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page: https://www.niu.edu/outreach

Position Summary

Northern Illinois University (NIU) seeks a dynamic, collaborative leader to serve as the next Vice President for Outreach Engagement and Regional Development. NIU is a high research activity R2 and Carnegie-engaged institution with an enrollment of 16,078 students, including approximately 12,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. The Division of Outreach Engagement and Regional Development is a highly entrepreneurial division with more than 20 departments and units that fit broadly into four categories: business and government, K-12 educational support and policy, community and continuing education, and regional centers in Rockford and Naperville.

The successful candidate will enhance the universitys growing reputation as a leading public and national research university, build on the institutions substantial strengths in teaching, research, engagement, and outreach, and share in NIUs commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive learning and living environment.

The Vice President for Outreach Engagement and Regional Development (VPOERD) serves as NIUs chief engagement officer, setting the vision and providing institution-wide leadership to advance the universitys public mission. The role is responsible for ongoing development and institutional implementation of NIUs Centering Engagement Driving Impact action plan and for sustaining a university-wide infrastructure that supports engaged scholarship, community-engaged learning, and mutually beneficial partnerships, positioning NIU as a national model of excellence and maintaining the institutions Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Champion NIUs principles of community engagement, embed standards of reciprocity, mutual benefit, and scholarship across teaching, research, and artistry, and all engagement activities.
• Lead and execute the Centering Engagement Driving Impact 2025-2028 action plan in close collaboration with the Division of Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation, Partnerships, Student Affairs, Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, NIUs seven degree-granting colleges, University Libraries, and the Graduate School.
• Model collaborative leadership across the institution as a member of the Presidents Senior Roundtable, Strategic Development Team, and other campus-wide consortia.
• Co-lead the Engagement Roundtable with the Executive Vice President & Provost.
• Align OERD departments and programs with NIU institutional goals and regional needs.
• Closely monitor and ensure the success of the divisions revenue-generating units.

Division Leadership and Portfolio Development and Oversight

• Provide executive leadership for OERD, including strategic financial and operational development and oversight of OERD core functions.
• Ensure ongoing development and improvement of the campus engagement infrastructure to support data collection, impact measurement, and communications.
• Create and curate meaningful community engagement professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and community members.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs to support community-engaged courses.
• Create and support institutional efforts to maintain trusting relationships with the regional community.
• Create and maintain meaningful hyperlocal place-based community engagement initiatives to address regional needs.

Regional Development

• Provide leadership and direction for the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), an applied research and service provider for local government, regional public, and nonprofit organizations, and state agencies.
• Partner with university administrators, academic leaders, and faculty on regional workforce and economic development initiatives.
• Provide leadership and direction to ensure the effective and efficient operation of NIUs regional centers in Naperville and Rockford.

Student Engagement

• Create and curate meaningful engagement opportunities for NIU students in partnership with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, colleges, and other campus partners.
• Ensure the successful operation of NIU Esports, creating a community for NIU students and linking activities to institutional recruitment and retention efforts.

Education Partnerships

• Provide a home for statewide education policy programs focused on education and career pathways, data management for P-20 systems, and early learning.
• Ensure close collaboration between OERD-based groups and activities and relevant academic units.
• Secure NIUs continuing status as a Carnegie Engaged Institution through institutional alignment, robust impact measurement, and support systems and processes to ensure internal and external partner voice.

Partnerships and Community Relations

• Serve as a visible ambassador for NIU across Northern Illinois and Chicagoland, cultivating reciprocal partnerships with civic, governmental, corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders.
• Coordinate with the Presidents Office and appropriate NIU colleagues to align public service policy, engagement, and philanthropy in support of shared community outcomes.

Communications and Public Engagement

• Tell NIUs engagement story through impact reports, toolkits, and digital channels, elevating faculty, staff, and student excellence, as well as partner voices and community outcomes.
• Oversee public media outreach through Northern Public Radio, ensuring editorial independence, community relevance, and alignment with NIUs public mission.

Data Evidence and Accountability

• Develop and maintain a robust engagement data system, people programs, partnerships, outcomes, to support planning, Carnegie documentation, accreditation, national recognitions, and strategic decision-making.
• Publish annual impact reports and case studies that highlight faculty, staff, student, and community partner outcomes and inform continuous quality improvement.

Resource Development and External Funding

• Steward OERDs long-standing external funding profile and strengthen pipeline development.
• Grow diversified revenue streams, grants, contracts, philanthropy, underwriting, fee-for-service to sustain and expand engagement.

Inclusive Excellence and Ethical Engagement

• Ensure equity-centered, culturally responsive engagement that expands opportunity for all.
• Key Competencies: • Inclusive leadership • Committed to equity, accessibility, and community voice throughout planning and practice • Strategic systems builder • Able to institutionalize engagement across research, teaching, and service in a highly collaborative manner • Partnership excellence • Skilled in co-creation, reciprocity, and long-term relationship stewardship consistent with Carnegie and top university standards • Measurement & storytelling • Fluent in impact metrics, dashboards, and compelling public narratives • Executive presence • Excellent oral and written communication skills, high emotional intelligence, effective in media interactions

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Civil Service NA
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Civil Service NA
• Specialty Factors Civil Service NA

Preferred Qualifications

• Civil Service NA
• Minimum Required Qualifications SPS
• Masters degree, doctorate preferred, and progressively responsible leadership experience in community engagement, public service, regional economic development, or related fields within higher education, government, or nonprofit sectors.
• Demonstrated success building multi-sector partnerships and leading complex organizations, portfolios with external funding, grants, and contracts.
• Evidence of supporting community-engaged scholarship and teaching, and managing university-community initiatives at scale.

Additional Requirements

• Physical demands and requirements: For physical demands and requirements, please see human resources policies and protocols.
• Appointment and Compensation Details: • Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 07012026 • Anticipated Appointment End Date: Percent of Staff Year 1.00 • Standard Hours Per Week: 37.50 • Working Hours: M-F 8-4:30 with additional evening and weekend hours as appropriate • Salary: Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and education • NIU offers a robust benefits package • Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate Range: Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and education

Application Procedure

• For fullest consideration, prospective applicants should visit the Vice President for Outreach Engagement and Regional Development to create an application profile or log into existing profile to apply with the following two materials uploaded by the priority review date, April 12, 2026: • Curriculum vitae • Letter of intent/cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described in this position announcement.
• Finalist will be asked to provide contact information for three to five professional references. Please note that references will not be contacted without permission from the candidate.
• All inquiries and nominations may be directed to Richard Mocarski, Vice President for Research and Innovation, Partnerships Committee Chair, rmocarski@niu.edu.
• Special Instructions: NA
• Quick Link to Applicant: http://employment.niu.edu/postings/90605
• Is Background Check Required: Yes
• EEO Statement: In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, physical and mental marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.

Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, physical and mental marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.

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