Director, Center for Latin American Studies

Job No: 535317: 02010100
Work Type: Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Education/Training/Instructional Design, Executive/Director/Management, Humanities
Department: 57140100 - LT-CTR-LT AMER STUDIES-ADMIN

Job Description


Classification Title:

Director & Professor

Job Description:
A place of becoming—beyond expectations! Join UF's distinguished cohort of professional educators and researchers whose Momentum Moves Our World! This five-year appointment as the Director and Professor of UF's Center for Latin American Studies includes a tenured faculty appointment. The ideal candidate is an excellent leader and communicator, with demonstrated administrative experience and skills along with a proven track record of combining scholarship with program leadership and development. The role offers a unique opportunity to define the future strategic and academic directions for the oldest research center on Latin America in the United States. About the University of Florida Come for a job. Grow a career. Gain a community! The University of Florida is a dynamic community of collaborators attracting the brightest minds across disciplines and connecting them with world-class resources. As a top-ranked public land-grant institution and a proud member of the Association of American Universities, UF enrolls more than 55,000 students and fosters a rich, diverse academic environment. Located in a state with deep historical, cultural, economic, and business ties to Latin America and the Caribbean, UF offers over 100 undergraduate programs, 200 graduate programs, and professional degrees in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Public National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, UF is a hub for innovation, research, and academic excellence. As UF embarks on building its strategic vision for the next decade, the next Director of the Center for Latin American Studies will have a unique opportunity to shape the Center's trajectory in alignment with the university's long-term goals. goals. Center for Latin American Studies The University of Florida has a long-standing commitment to Latin American Studies, dating back to the 1890s. Officially established as the Institute for Inter-American Affairs in the 1930s and renamed the Center for Latin American Studies in 1963, it was among the first institutions designated a National Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Education's Title VI program, and has been continuously funded by that program since then. Today, the Center is one of the world's leading Latin American Studies institutions, uniquely positioned as an independent unit reporting directly to the UF Provost. Its mission is to advance knowledge about Latin America and the Caribbean through research, teaching, and outreach. Some 21 core faculty members are appointed in the Center, and more than 180 other UF faculty across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, business, and health sciences are Center affiliates. The Center fosters a dynamic and supportive scholarly community that values interdisciplinary collaboration and student engagement. Academic programs include the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, the Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP, jointly offered with the UF Center for African Studies), an undergraduate minor, and graduate certificates from the Center's distinctive Tropical Conservation and Development (TCD) program. Director, Center for Latin American Studies The Director for the Center for Latin American Studies reports directly to the UF Provost. This is a five-year renewable appointment as Director with a tenured faculty line appointment as Full Professor. The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership, guiding the Center strategically and academically to advance its standing as a preeminent institution in the field. The Director serves as both an academic leader and an administrator, holding a tenured faculty appointment within an appropriate UF academic unit, which may include the Center for Latin American Studies. We seek accomplished and distinguished administrators and educators with a record of excellence in research, teaching, and leadership. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator with demonstrated administrative experience, the ability to foster a scholarly community and cultivate collaboration across disciplines, and a track record of program development and external engagement. Experience with U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant writing is highly desirable. Key Responsibilities Include:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a forward-thinking vision that aligns with the Center's mission and UF's strategic priorities.
• Academic & Faculty Leadership: Oversee faculty recruitment, teaching assignments, tenure and promotion processes, and career development for faculty and staff.
• Program & Budget Management: Manage academic programs, personnel, and financial resources efficiently.
• Grant Writing & Fundraising: Lead efforts in securing external funding, including U.S. Department of Education Title VI grants, and cultivate philanthropic and institutional partnerships.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Foster connections and maintain strong cross-campus relationship with departments, colleges, schools, museums and other university units, as well as ties to external constituencies and communities.
• Teaching & Research: Contribute to the university's academic mission through research, teaching, and mentoring.
  
  Expected Salary:
  
  Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. UF offers a comprehensive benefit package, including healthcare, retirement plans, and professional development support.
  
  Minimum Requirements:
• Earned Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field.
• Scholarly achievements meriting appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
• Demonstrated experience in Higher Education administration and leadership experience.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
• Distinguished record of research, teaching, and scholarly contributions in Latin American Studies.
• Experience in strategic planning, program development, and faculty leadership.
• Proficiency in English and fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.
• Strong record of successful grant writing and fundraising.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and collaborate across disciplines.
  
  Special Instructions to Applicants:
  
  Application Deadline
  Applications will be reviewed beginning May 26, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled. To ensure full consideration applications must include all required application materials and should be submitted no later than 11:55 p.m. Sunday May 25, 2025. Required Application Materials: 1. Cover letter summarizing qualifications, interests, and fit for the position. 2. Curriculum Vitae. 3. Vision Statement for the Center for Latin American Studies (up to 3 pages). 4. List of references for at least three (3) professional contacts that includes: 1. Full name 2. Current position 3. Email address 4. Telephone number For inquiries, please contact: A.J. Brown, Strategic Talent Group aj.brown@ufl.edu | stg@hr.ufl.edu Phone: 352-273-1713 Learn More About Gainesville, Florida Gainesville is a vibrant city in North Central Florida, known for its natural beauty, cultural scene, and welcoming community. The area offers year-round outdoor activities, diverse dining, and a rich arts and music culture. More information about Gainesville can be found at www.cityofgainesville.org and www.visitflorida.com. Additional Information
• All candidates are subject to a pre-employment screening, including a review of criminal records, reference checks, and degree verification.
• Selected candidates will be required to provide official transcripts. Degrees from non-U.S. institutions require evaluation by a credentialing service (NACES). Our Commitment The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
  
  Health Assessment Required:
  No
  
  
  
  Applications Close: Open until filled
  
  To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/535317/director-center-for-latin-american-studies
  
  Our Commitment:
  The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
  
  Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392- 2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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