Assistant Director, Campus Climate & Belonging

Assistant Director, Campus Climate & Belonging

The Assistant Director for Campus Climate and Belonging will serve as the primary administrator to develop initiatives and interventions that address intergroup conflict and support sense of belonging. In addition, the Assistant Director serves as a primary administrator of the campus bias response process, working together with campus stakeholders and involved parties to address impact. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Academic Inclusive Excellence in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community.

• Supervises, recruits, trains and evaluates professional and student staff
• Advises and provides guidance on issues of campus climate and belonging.
• Coordinate restorative mediation interventions to address the harm caused by bias and conflict.
• Develop bridge building interventions to address campus intergroup conflicts.
• Assist with the coordination and dissemination of campus wide equity climate assessment.

• Serves as the primary coordinator and liaison for the Campus Belonging Bias Response process.
• Provides daily management of bias reporting processes, including intake and meeting with involved parties.
• Monitor and assess reporting trends to identify climate or other systemic issues.
• Collect, analyze and report data on bias incidents and response to inform the Illinois campus community and to facilitate compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Develop quarterly and annual reports on bias reporting and response.
• Supervise full-time Program Assistant to support Campus Belonging case management.

• Lead mediation and restorative practice to address bias and intergroup conflict on campus.
• Build curriculum and facilitate education and training on hate/bias prevention, freedom of speech, academic freedom, and campus climate.
• Develop programs to enhance skills to address bias and mediate conflict.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with campus and community organizations.

• Participate in campus wide committees to engage in addressing issues impacting students and employee sense of belonging.
• Represent the office in conversations and activities related to climate issues and sense of belonging.

• Bachelor's degree in higher education, student affairs, college student personnel, counseling, education, law, or closely related fields.

• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training, and/or work experience in an educational environment focused on belonging initiatives, conflict resolution, or bias response.
• Five years of professional responsibility in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, mediation, or restorative justice processes.

• Experience developing and leading comprehensive, collaborative programs in higher education settings.
• Experience working with issues involving free speech and/or its application.

• Understanding of hate/bias prevention programming and intervention.
• Understanding of mediation, conflict resolution and/or restorative justice practices.
• Knowledge of issues of free speech, bias response, and belonging.
• Demonstrated problem solving, critical analysis, judgement and decision-making skills.
• Calm in high-stress situations.
• Exceptional organizational and project management capabilities.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive communities.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after August 31, 2026. Salary is commensurate with experience. The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

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