President

The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA or “Alliance”), the academic consortium of the Big Ten universities, seeks its next president. Headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, and hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Alliance has served for more than 65 years as a powerful force for academic collaboration among 18 world-class research universities.

Through cooperation, co-investment, and shared innovation, the Big Ten Academic Alliance advances the academic missions of its member institutions and provides a trusted framework for pursuing shared priorities and addressing common challenges. Representing an unparalleled concentration of educational, research, and intellectual capital across its member institutions, the Alliance has served as a place for collective action in advancing knowledge and strengthening institutional excellence. Guided by a vision to provide the most responsive and effective framework for academic collaboration in higher education, the Alliance is a national model for interinstitutional partnership.

The president provides overall leadership for the organization, its staff, programs, and infrastructure while serving as a trusted partner to university provosts and other institutional leaders across the consortium. The president helps shape the BTAA's strategy and future direction, ensuring it remains responsive to members' needs while leveraging its unique convening power to elevate the collective strengths of member universities. The president will also serve as a champion for the Big Ten overall, articulating a compelling narrative highlighting the excellence, innovation, and impact of its member institutions. Balancing strategic vision with operational excellence, the president will creatively leverage resources and partnerships to advance shared priorities and build upon BTAA's longstanding record of impact.

The successful candidate will be a mission-focused, seasoned, and strategic leader with experience overseeing complex operations and fostering a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture. The president will guide the BTAA in delivering meaningful value to member organizations while empowering a talented and deeply committed team to advance its mission and strategic priorities. The president will support staff development, cultivate collaboration across teams and stakeholder groups, and create an environment in which creativity and excellence flourish.

The president is based in Champaign, Illinois. As part of BTAA's innovative and flexible work culture, this position operates within a hybrid work environment, allowing a combination of remote and on-site work. This role requires the ability to travel frequently to meetings and member university campuses as needed.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible following the conclusion of the search. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $250,000 - $325,000 annually. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The BTAA strives to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For full consideration, materials should be provided by October 26, 2026; however, materials will be considered until the position is filled.

John Muckle is leading this search with Damla Williams and Ethan Thomas.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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, 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.