Deputy Director- Prairie Research Institute

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI's mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

Job Summary
Serve as an integral member of the PRI Executive Leadership team. Advising the executive director (ED) and survey directors of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and performing a complex mix of duties related to executive leadership, governmental relations, engagement, advocacy, law, public policy, and legislative process.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Executive Leadership
-Serving as a senior advisor to the executive director (ED) and acting in close collaboration with PRI senior leadership, (including the Office of Executive Director (OED) and the Survey directors), and principal investigators on ongoing strategic, organizational, and operational processes, research projects, and governmental relations, engagement, advocacy, and law, public policy, and legislative process.
-Coordinating OED leadership functions and exercising decision-making authority in such discrete areas of select administrative responsibility as expressly delegated by the ED.
-Partner with the ED and senior leadership in the advancement of strategic priorities, including providing leadership for special projects and programs on behalf of the ED.
-Collaborate with the ED and senior leadership in identifying strategic opportunities and initiatives.
-Identifying, researching, analyzing, preparing reports, and advising the ED and senior leadership relative to current issues and strategic projects.
-Providing operational leadership in the OED to accomplish the organization's goals and objectives effectively, while promoting a positive, inclusive culture.
-Counseling staff on matters related to policy and rules. Provide guidance and interpretation regarding the administration of other guiding principles and governance structures as they relate to PRI.
-Serving as the emergency contact for crisis situations for PRI and cooperating in the planning, coordinating, and implementing of the OED's response.
-Traveling to and representing PRI at events and meetings.
-Representing PRI on the ED's behalf as needed.
-Serving as a mentor, guide and role model to PRI leadership team and staff.

Governmental Relations/Advocacy/Policy
-Independently initiating high-level contacts of a sensitive nature regarding routine & non-routine issues internally and externally requiring a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and time sensitivity.
-Keeping the ED apprised of significant issues, ensure various perspectives are presented accurately and objectively and identify effective approaches to resolve issues.
-Engaging policymakers and stakeholders, to inform the policymaking process about PRI's transformative science, expertise, and data while protecting PRl's objectivity and credibility. The objective is to support the executive director and our survey directors in bridging the boundary between the domain of basic and applied interdisciplinary scientific research and the practical domain of policymakers and end users who need PRI'S expertise and resources to make data-driven decisions.
-Advocating for PRI's legislative priorities and funding requests to policymakers, stakeholders, and campus.
-Overseeing all aspects of policy research and analysis related to state mandates and funding for PRI's research, service, and response teams and other public engagement, and to provide policy-related information and recommendations to the ED, OED, and Survey directors.
-Supervising a policy analyst, who researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about law, public policy, and related scientific information, and tracks and analyzes state and federal legislation, administrative rulemaking, and litigation.
-Serving as PRI's liaison to the University Office of External Relations and Communications (OERC) and Council of Government and External Relations (COGER).

Administrative Collaboration

-Collaborating with PRI's Associate Director for Research on seeking and facilitating opportunities for PRI's Survey Directors and principal investigators to interact professionally in areas of their expertise with policymakers and other audiences.
-Collaborating with PRI's Assistant Director for External Relations on identifying and cultivating donors and other types of funders and funding initiatives.

Other
-Performing other duties as needed to further PRI's mission and goals.
-Keeping abreast of developments in relevant law, legislation, and legislative and regulatory processes.

Additional Physical Demands
The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves sitting for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry.
Minimum Qualifications

A master's or higher degree in science, engineering, law, public policy or a closely related or equivalent field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. At least ten years of experience working in public policy, law, or advocacy and executive experience. Familiarity with economic development, legislation, legislative process, and executive experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Significant public policy or legal experience in a professional or governmental position in the public sector at a level requiring regular contact with elected officials or with executive officers of administrative agencies is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Creative problem-solving with excellent judgment, analytical, and people skills. Demonstrated high proficiency in public speaking and written communications, combined with customer-service and organizational development skills. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Diligence, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.
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 10/27/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.This position will be housed in Champaign, Illinois and will be an in-person role in order to optimize collaboration. .
Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 27, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and interviews may occur before the closing date but no offer will be made before the search closes. 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 Megan Weeks, mkweeks@illinois.edu or 217-244-4768. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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.

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. 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: 1019521
Job Category: Administrative

To apply, visit https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/7510?c=illinois







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