Search Postings

Title: Director of Ewing Cultural Center & University Advancement Facilities
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: Advancement & Foundation Operations

Job Summary

This position manages several off-campus properties, each unique in character and purpose: Ewing Cultural Center, the Illinois State University Alumni Center, Redbird Spirit Shop, rental properties, and parking lots. Ewing consists of a stately historical manor and theater on 6.5 acres of wooded landscape in Bloomington, Illinois. Hosting many events, Ewing serves as home to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. The Alumni Center is a northern gateway to the Illinois State Campus, welcoming alumni and offering meeting/event space for faculty, staff, alumni, and community groups. Many members of Illinois State University's advancement team, along with employees from conference services, are located at the Alumni Center. Redbird Spirit Shop is a bookstore owned and maintained by University Advancement. In addition, University Advancement owns and rents residential properties and parking lots.

This position is responsible for facility operations and maintenance, planning, fiscal management, insurance policies, licensing agreements, and inspections by local and state organizations. The Director is liaison to internal and external stakeholders and is accountable for excellent customer service. The position is situated at the Ewing Cultural Center with regular travel to other properties and campus.

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/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$75,000 - $105,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Event Management, Communications, Library & Information Science, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Education, Theatre Management or closely related field.
2. A minimum of five (5) years (60 months) of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in any or all of the following:
    a. managing all aspects of public, community, and private large-scale events such as fundraisers and weddings
    b. community relations, community programming, donor relations, or fundraising
    c. event staff or volunteer supervisory experience
(Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)
3. Demonstrated capability to create, direct, and manage complex budgets.
4. Excellent communication skills and proven ability to effectively interact with diverse constituencies.
5. Working knowledge of common computer applications, such as Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience managing historic facilities and/or knowledge of historic preservation.
2. Experience in facility and ground management and building operations maintenance.
3. Experience in sustainable management of built and natural environments.
4. Experience working with vendors and contract negotiation.
5. Master’s degree in Event Management, Communications, Library & Information Science, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Education, Theatre Management or closely related field.

Work Hours

Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Frequent night and weekend availability required.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

January 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options

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"

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

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

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline in order to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below. In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD214, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or DD-214 paperwork may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Mackenzie Chapman
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.

Contact Information for Applicants

Mackenzie Chapman
Human Resources
309-438-3092
mrchap1@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.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.