Director of Engineering Leadership InstituteJob no: 541627
Work type: Faculty Admin Title
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Engineering
Department:19010520 - EG-LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Classification Title:
Director & Faculty (Rank TBD)
Classification Minimum Requirements:
Master's degree in engineering
Experience in successfully leading organizations (industry and/or academic) and partnering with external advisory boards
Experience in successful stakeholder engagement activities (external and internal), including nurturing donor relationships and fundraising
Maintains key personal qualities as a good communicator with good presence and high energy
Job Description:
The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) at the University of Florida (UF) is conducting a search for the next Director of the Engineering Leadership Institute (ELI). This is a full-time faculty position with classification title and rank to be determined based on education and experience, reporting to the Dean of the HWCOE.
The vision of the UF ELI is to lead the Nation in engineering leadership education-offering the most comprehensive, high-impact curricula and certificate programs and empowering the largest community of future engineering leaders.
The mission of UF ELI as an integral part of the HWCOE is to focus on creating principle-based, character-focused, creative leaders that bring critical, value-added perspectives and sound judgment to all leadership roles in society. ELI supports UF in being at the national forefront of transforming the way that engineers impact society through their leadership roles and service in other key roles in society. As the central source of education and training in leadership for the HWCOE, ELI serves a critical role in the College's goals of achieving excellence through interdisciplinary research and education and fostering a culture of leadership throughout the faculty, students, and staff.
ELI, located in the UF Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence, offers both undergraduate and graduate coursework and certificate programs in engineering leadership, engineering project management, and engineering and AI ethics and safety. Since its inception in 2011, over 16,000 students have completed coursework in ELI and almost 1,000 students have graduated with earned academic certificate credentials in engineering leadership or engineering project management. With three other permanent staff, dedicated adjunct instructors (many of whom are practicing engineers), a committed Advisory Board, faculty fellows, affiliates and partners, and shared support of the core values and expectations of ELI faculty and students, ELI is now poised to further enrich the education of engineering students through new academic programs, enhanced engagement programming for current and former students, and educational outreach to external partners.
The responsibilities of the ELI Director include but are not limited to the following:
- Ensuring fulfillment of ELI's vision and mission and regular communication of the vision to internal and external stakeholders.
- Overseeing curriculum enhancement and the creation of innovative degree initiatives and academic programs through strong collaboration with the HWCOE leadership, ELI Advisory Board, and college/university units and individuals.
- Ensuring the relevance of all ELI curriculum by evaluation and application of career-readiness competencies, assessment at the course and program levels, and surveying of current and former students and employers.
- Partnering with HWCOE Advancement officers in developing ELI donor relationships and active fundraising for existing and visioned ELI activities.
- Leading grant proposal writing and submissions to enhance funding for ELI activities and initiatives.
- Supporting development and implementation of leadership training programs for external non-UF entities.
- Closely partnering with the ELI Advisory Board, meeting on a semesterly basis and engaging members in events and other activities.
- Leading, mentoring, supporting, and building camaraderie among ELI staff, which currently include 3 other permanent faculty members and 14 additional supporting personnel.
- Performing administrative duties that include reporting to the Florida Board of Governors, UF Office of Institutional Planning and Research, UF Advancement, and the Commission on Colleges and Universities.
- Serving as a primary contributor in planning ELI events, which include the Linda Parker Hudson Leader-in-Residence Program.
- Managing the ELI budget and leading fiscal planning activities for ELI.
- Actively engaging in teaching ELI courses, ideally in the areas of project management, leadership, or professional development for doctoral students.
- Actively engaging in the American Society of Engineering Education LEADs Division activities.
- Administering the ELI Faculty Fellows, ELI Partners, and Kirkland Engineering Leadership Professor Programs by selecting participants, holding regular meetings, and intentionally building a coalition of internal and external collaborators who will further the mission of ELI.
- Collaborating closely with HWCOE partners, including the Engineering Innovation Institute, Department of Engineering Education, faculty throughout HWCOE, and academic advisors, through meetings (as needed) and their participation in ELI events and activities.
- Meeting regularly with the HWCOE Senior Associate Dean (and Dean) as required.
- Supporting expansion of extracurricular student programming and alumni outreach activities.
Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience
Required Qualifications:
Master's degree in engineering
Experience in successfully leading organizations (industry and/or academic) and partnering with external advisory boards
Experience in successful stakeholder engagement activities (external and internal), including nurturing donor relationships and fundraising
Maintains key personal qualities as a good communicator with good presence and high energy
Preferred:
- Experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate students
- Experience in proposal writing and fundraising
- Experience in building and infusing organizational culture
- Maintains a program/project manager mentality
- UF HWCOE graduate
Special Instructions to Applicants:
The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to review applications until the position is filled. You must apply by submitting an application through UFCareers via
(Job 541627) The application consists of attached PDF files of the following required documents: 1. Cover letter (summary, introduction related to hiring-emphasis areas) 2. Resume or curriculum vitae (including a 1-page CV highlights) 3. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of no less than three and up to five references. Additional documents should be uploaded as one PDF to the "other documents" selection in the application. 4. A personal leadership experience summary detailing previous leadership roles and outcomes achieved. 5. A vision statement for leading ELI into the future, including short- and long-term goals and identifying synergies of these goals with previous leadership-related curriculum and programming activities. 6. A personal leadership philosophy statement.
The anticipated start date for this position is January 2, 2027. For further questions, please contact Search Committee Chair and Senior Associate Dean Dr. John Shea at or Acting ELI Director, Mr. Bill McElroy, P.E. at
The University of Florida (UF) is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities. UF is home to HiPerGator, the fastest AI supercomputer in higher education, and the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is undergoing a major expansion in faculty, research, and facilities with a strong focus on artificial intelligence. In Fall 2023, UF opened Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, a 260,000-square-foot facility that serves as the hub for AI.
For more information about college initiatives, visit eng.ufl.edu
Additional Requirements- The selected candidate must provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" will not be considered official.
- Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Additional InformationThe University and College count among its greatest strengths a community of faculty, students and staff who support a culture of respect and dignity where learning and research thrive.
- If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply, please call or the Florida Relay System at (TDD).
- Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.
- All searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer.Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 06 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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