Associate Director - Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Associate Director - Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Job Summary
The Associate Director is the senior full-time staff member for REEEC. The Associate Director provides academic leadership directs our interdisciplinary BA major and teaches courses in the REEES curriculum. The position is the staff supervisor for the Center, acts as its chief grant and financial officer, and directs advancement initiatives Together with the Director, the REEEC Associate Director is responsible for the overall operation of the center, including program development, coordination with other units in the Illinois Global Institute, grants management, and alumni relations and advancement.
Duties & Responsibilities
Advising
- Provide academic advising for REEES BA majors and minors; monitor students' progress toward degree completion and graduation; Be a point of contact for students and handle difficult and challenging student academic and personal situations and issues
- Serve as fellowship coordinator for academic year and summer for the Center’s fellowship program, advising students on overseas programs and campus coursework as it pertains to fellowships
- Serve as liaison between students and other campus units
- Assist the Director with management of the Center's MA Program
- Coordinate student assistantship funding and other student funding when necessary
- Serve ex-officio as a member of the REEEC MA admissions committee
- Lead fellowship competitions
- Primary liaison between the Graduate College Fellowship Office and the U.S. Department of Education, managing correspondence and resolving issues related to grant reporting and fellowship systems, while ensuring compliance with evolving international education policies
Teaching
- As Instructor, teach REEES courses including REEES proseminar for BA majors and MA’s (REES 495/550) and a general education undergraduate course such as REES 200
- Develop academic instructional materials including course syllabus and weekly instruction plans
- Hold office hours and provide guidance to students in the course as needed
- Grade student assignments and proctor exams
- Oversee the work of teaching assistants when that position is needed
- Develop curriculum for new REEES courses
- Develop online summer courses for REEES academic year courses
- Teach REEES online summer courses
Research & Scholarship
- Pursue professional development as a scholar in the field through advanced research activities in an area of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- Seek further training in emerging methods, themes, and topics that could contribute to REEEC program development, such as new REEES degree programs, courses, or grant initiatives
- Participate in conferences and academic networks in the field of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies as well as other scholarly fields as they can contribute to REEEC program development
Oversight of National Grant Programs & Center Budgets
- Lead REEEC’S major federal grant projects and programs (including Department of State Title VIII grant, and others)
- Manage grant and gift execution to comply with university, donor and funding agencies’ guidelines, deadlines, and regulations
- Lead the preparation of grant proposals, narratives, and budgets in coordination with the director and center staff
- Oversee and manage grant and gift projects and programs; design and implement grant reporting and evaluation
- Attend meetings with federal grant agencies, other sponsors, and donors
- Build effective relationships with the University’s federal relations staff and the office of Sponsored Programs Administration, LAS Advancement and UI Foundation
- Develop and oversee the Center's budgets and financial policy
Recruitment
- Represent REEEC to prospective students and their families at a variety of recruiting events and information sessions; this includes presenting information to large groups
- Counsel, provide information and advice about Illinois generally, and about its admissions procedures specifically, to prospective students, applicants, their parents and secondary school counselors in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner
- Reach out and encourage prospective students to explore and eventually matriculate at Illinois through staffing on-campus programs, scheduling personal visits to secondary schools, attending college fair programs, and engaging in correspondence, email, and/or telephone contact
- Develop an international recruitment and yield strategy plan annually within the confines of set budget
- Support recruitment and programming by working some evenings and weekends and traveling as required
Academic Leadership in Area Studies
- In collaboration with the Director and REEEC Executive Committee, shape the policies and overall direction of REEEC as a major interdisciplinary area studies center dedicated to research, teaching, and public engagement in the field of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- Use area studies academic training and experience to help the center respond to new challenges and opportunities in REEES scholarship; assist with center responses to difficult current questions in international relations and understanding (including but not limited to war and authoritarianism)
- Develop strategic action plans for the Center and assist with unit governance, working with the REEEC Executive Committee and external grant advisory boards in the field as needed
- Act as REEEC representative to other units in IGI and across campus
- Work with Director, REEEC Executive committee, and other external and internal stakeholders to maintain and build funding for REEES area studies, through institutional advancement as well as new grant initiatives
Staff Supervision
- Hire, train, assign, and supervise and review Center staff and student assistants
- Conduct staff performance reviews, address work issues, set work schedules and goals
- Attend and lead weekly center staff meetings
- Other duties as assigned to further the mission of the unit
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a humanities or social science discipline with a concentration in Russian, East European, or Eurasian studies; proficiency in a regional language
- A total of one (1) year (12 months) of education, training and/or work experience in academic advising, grant management, university teaching, and / or academic program management.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in a humanities or social science discipline with a concentration in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies; advanced proficiency in one or more regional language(s)
- Two semesters experience in teaching humanities courses at university level
- Experience with federal grants, donor gifts, proposal writing, program evaluation, and requirements
- 1 year work experience in grant management
- Advanced proficiency in one or more regional language(s)
- Budget management experience
- UIUC Certified Research Administrator Certificate (Illinois CRA)
Successful candidates will have:
- Ability to work harmoniously with faculty, staff, and students from a wide variety of disciplines, and with representatives from national and international institutions
- Ability to assume responsibility and to work independently with minimum guidance
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without supervision
- Excellent skills in Microsoft Office suite, in particular Excel and Outlook
- Interdisciplinary and creative orientation
- Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $67,000 - $72,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on February 11, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact lascollegehiring@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
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.
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.
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, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1033916
Job Category: Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu