"Professor & Director, Actuarial Science and Risk Management Program, University of Illinois U-C"

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is opening a search for the new Director of the Actuarial Science and Risk Management (ASRM) Program. The position will be a full-time, tenured faculty position at the rank of Professor and offers a unique opportunity for a distinguished scholar and academic leader to shape the future of one of the nation’s top programs in actuarial science and risk management. Outstanding candidates may be considered for an endowed position.

Illinois has long been recognized as a national leader in actuarial science education. The ASRM program benefits from strong industry partnerships, outstanding student outcomes, continued institutional investment, and an engaged alumni and professional network. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment: ASRM has grown into a dynamic and interdisciplinary unit serving over 300 students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, and is currently undergoing the approval process to become an independent academic unit within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences affirms its role as a leading liberal arts and sciences college and engine of social mobility that serves the population in the State of Illinois and welcomes students and scholars from around the world. We value applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and identities through their research, teaching or service.

The Director will provide visionary leadership to further elevate ASRM’s national and international profile and advance its mission in research, teaching, and service. Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing faculty recruitment and development
• Promoting academic excellence and curricular innovation
• Managing financial planning and budgetary priorities
• Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across campus and with industry partners

Successful candidates are expected to teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, establish and maintain an active and independent research program, and provide service to the department, the university and the profession.

Required qualifications: Ph.D. in actuarial science, statistics, risk management and insurance, finance, data science, or a closely related field, and must qualify for a tenured appointment at the rank of Full Professor. Candidates should demonstrate:

• A record of nationally and internationally recognized scholarship
• Proven experience in academic leadership and service
• Demonstrated teaching competence
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• A compelling vision for advancing the unit’s educational and research missions

This is a nine-month faculty appointment (paid over 12 months) that includes an administrative stipend, and a partial teaching release. The budgeted salary range for the position is $135,000 to $240,000. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2026.

We have an active and successful dual-career partner placement program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff. To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community, please visit these sites:

• Dual Career Program
• Benefits
• Living in Champaign-Urbana

Please create your candidate profile through https://go.illinois.edu/ASRMProfessor and submit application materials: a letter of interest, teaching statement, research statement, and a current curriculum vitae. The letter of interest should address the candidate’s vision and priorities for the unit and how their experience is relevant to the position.

Applications and nominations for this position are invited, with priority consideration given to applications submitted by October 20, 2025.

Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date, however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. Inquiries and nominations may be directed to Professor Renming Song, Search Committee Chair, at lascollegehiring@illinois.edu.