Director of Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships

Title: Director of Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships
Department: Dean of Education
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Director for Lab School Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships provides college-level leadership to advance the mission, quality, and innovation, and university integration of Illinois State University's Laboratory Schools. The position serves as a strategic partner to the Dean and lab school principals, connecting the lab schools to the College of Education's academic, research, professional, and community-engagement priorities.

The Director leads initiatives that span the lab schools, including curriculum and program development, research partnerships, policy development, innovation, professional learning, family and community engagement, and external relations. The position strengthens connections among the lab schools, the College of Education, the University, and external partners while supporting continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.

Primary areas of responsibility will include:

• Lab School strategy and college/university integration
• Curriculum, innovation and continuous improvement
• Leadership and communication
• Research and scholarship
• Family, community, and external engagement
• Policy and organizational development
• Leadership and communication

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$100,000 - $115,000

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits , including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday / administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree in education or related field
2. 5 years or more experience in public education including teaching and progressive leadership
3. Demonstrated leadership in innovation and community partnerships
4. Demonstrated leadership in leading curriculum, teaching, and learning within an educational organization
5. Evidence of leading and building consensus around multiple stakeholder groups
6. Strong understanding of and ability to interpret and develop policy, facilitate organizational decision-making, and communicate implications across stakeholder groups

Preferred Qualifications

1. Doctoral degree in education or related field
2. Experience with seeking and managing grants and external funding
3. Experience as a senior district- or state-level leader in education
4. Experience leading school and university partnerships

Work Hours

Generally Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Evening and weekend hours may be required, as business needs dictate.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

1/1/2027

Required Applicant Documents

Resume/C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least three professional references)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Information for Applicants

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Bryan Zugelder
bszugel@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.