Assistant or Associate Provost for Faculty Employee Relations

Office of the Provost

The University of Illinois invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Provost for Faculty Employee Relations. This position serves a central role within the Office of the Provost in addressing complex and sensitive faculty employment matters, including advising academic leadership, supporting and coordinating investigations, and promoting the consistent application of faculty employment policies and disciplinary practices across academic units. At the assistant level, the role functions as a senior advisor supporting the management and coordination of faculty employee relations activities. At the associate level, the role serves as the Provost’s principal advisor, providing institutional oversight and leadership for faculty employee relations and representing the Office of the Provost in coordinated investigative and disciplinary processes.

Working closely with the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, campus HR, academic leadership, and partner units, this position provides guidance on faculty employee relations matters, assesses institutional risk, and supports policy interpretation and implementation. The assistant-level role emphasizes analysis, coordination, and procedural guidance, independently managing standard matters while consulting on more complex or high-risk issues. The associate-level role carries broader responsibility for strategic direction and institutional alignment, including advising on high-impact matters, shaping institutional approach, and ensuring that faculty employment actions are consistent with university policy, collective bargaining agreements, and established standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

Assistant Provost for Faculty Employee Relations

Confidential Faculty Employee Relations Advisor

• Serve as advisor to the Provost and the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on faculty employee relations matters and related institutional policy. Elevate matters presenting significant legal, governance, or reputational risk, in consultation with the Associate Provost or Executive Vice Provost, ensuring alignment with university policy and collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide operational coordination and leadership support for faculty employee relations activities across academic units in collaboration with campus HR administration, college and department administrators, and HR professionals.
• Advise deans, department heads, and academic administrators on faculty employee relations matters, including investigations, performance management, and disciplinary actions. Provide procedural guidance and coordination for faculty investigations conducted in partnership with relevant campus units, independently managing standard matters and consulting with the Associate Provost on complex, high-risk, or sensitive issues.
• Coordinate with Illinois Human Resources Labor and Employee Relations on represented matters when decisions may affect faculty labor relations, ensuring alignment with institutional guidance and minimizing labor and institutional risk.
• Represent the Office of the Provost on the Office for Access and Equity (OAE) case management committee, advising on faculty misconduct matters arising under Title IX, Title VII, related state law, and university policy. Consult with the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) as appropriate on matters presenting elevated risk.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Working with the Executive Vice Provost, prepare materials and recommendations to support the review of investigative outcomes and recommended disciplinary action, ensuring consistency with institutional standards, policy, and established practice prior to presentation for executive decision.
• Support consistent application of faculty performance management and disciplinary processes across colleges and academic units, providing guidance and identifying issues requiring further review or escalation.

Policy Development and Administration

• Serve as the Office of the Provost liaison on campus and system committees, potentially including the Campus Administrative Manual (CAM), relevant Senate committees, Threat Assessment Team (TAT), and Campus Violence Prevention and Planning (CVPP), as well as professional organizations such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Committee on Faculty Affairs.
• Contribute to the development, revision, and interpretation of faculty employment policies, including Provost Communications and related guidance.

Other Work Activities

• Develop and deliver training to deans, department heads, and campus leaders on faculty employee relations and complex employment matters, including violence prevention and threat assessment response.
• Serve as the Office of the Provost’s liaison during internal and external audits involving relevant campus and system offices, supporting the institutional response to audit findings within the portfolio.
• Support cross-training and provide backup coverage within the portfolio as needed.

Associate Provost for Faculty Employee Relations

Senior and Confidential Faculty Employee Relations Advisor

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Provost and the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on complex and high-impact faculty employee relations matters and related institutional policy. Exercise independent judgment in assessing and resolving sensitive issues, determining when to engage executive leadership on matters with significant legal, governance, or reputational implications, and ensuring institutional alignment with university policy and collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide institutional oversight and direction for faculty employee relations activities across academic units in collaboration with campus HR administration, college and department administrators, and HR professionals.
• Advise deans, department heads, and academic administrators on the most complex and high-risk faculty employee relations matters, including investigations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for faculty investigations conducted in coordination with relevant campus units, exercising independent judgment in approach and resolution, and engaging executive leadership on matters with significant legal, governance, or reputational implications.
• Coordinate with Illinois Human Resources Labor and Employee Relations on represented matters when decisions may affect faculty labor relations, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy and minimizing labor and institutional risk.
• Represent the Office of the Provost on the Office for Access and Equity (OAE) case management committee, advising on faculty misconduct matters arising under Title IX, Title VII, related state law, and university policy. Consult with the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) as appropriate on matters presenting elevated risk.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Review investigative outcomes and recommended disciplinary actions to ensure consistency with institutional standards, policy, and established practice prior to presentation for executive decision.
• Promote and reinforce consistent application of faculty performance management and disciplinary processes across colleges and academic units, intervening when institutional standards require clarification or alignment.

Policy Development and Administration

• Serve as the Office of the Provost liaison on campus and system committees, including the Campus Administrative Manual (CAM), relevant Senate committees, Threat Assessment Team (TAT), and Campus Violence Prevention and Planning (CVPP), as well as professional organizations such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Committee on Faculty Affairs.
• Lead the development, revision, and authoritative interpretation of faculty employment policies, including Provost Communications and related guidance.

Other Work Activities

• Develop and deliver training to deans, department heads, and campus leaders on faculty employee relations and complex employment matters, including violence prevention and threat assessment response.
• Serve as the Office of the Provost’s liaison during internal and external audits involving relevant campus and system offices, overseeing the institutional response to audit findings within the portfolio.
• Support cross-training and provide strategic backup coverage within the portfolio as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Law (J.D.), or a related field.
• (Assistant level) Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations or related field at the college or campus administration levels, including at least three years’ experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or within the University of Illinois System. Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations cases independently. Experience advising academic administrators or comparable leadership.
• (Associate level) Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, labor relations, or faculty affairs at the college or campus administration levels, including at least five years’ experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or within the University of Illinois System. Demonstrated experience advising executive-level leadership (Provost, Vice President, Dean-level). Experience managing high-risk, legally sensitive, or reputationally significant employment matters. Experience shaping or interpreting institutional policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Assistant level- Experience working with faculty governance or collective bargaining frameworks.
• Associate level- Experience coordinating with General Counsel or leading litigation strategy support. Experience working with faculty governance or collective bargaining frameworks.

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 close of the search. The budgeted salary for the Assistant Provost level is $120,000- $170,000 and for the Associate Provost level$160,000- $220,000. 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 May 13, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. For full consideration, application material should include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Steiling at steiling@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.

Champaign-Urbana

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 accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

---

Requisition ID: 1036013
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu