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Director of Ewing Cultural Center & University Advancement Facilities

University/Agency Illinois State University
Civil Service Classification Program Director
View Class Spec Details
Posting Duration 11/12/2025 - 11/25/2025
Probationary Period 12 months

Job Description

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/


Qualifications

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.


Salary

$75,000 - $105,000 annual


Links

ISU Jobs Website


Contact Information


University/Agency Illinois State University
Department/College Human Resources
Contact Mackenzie Chapman
Phone Number 309-438-8311
Address
Comments 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.