Associate Director

Department
 

Provost Academic Career Advancement

About the Department
 

The Office of the Provost at the University of Chicago was established in 1963 when Edward H. Levi was appointed the first Provost of the University. Since then, the responsibilities of the Provost and the Office have expanded to include not only academic planning and appointments but academic initiatives, arts programming, space planning and allocation, the University’s budget, diversity initiatives, faculty program development, and many other manners of academic and administrative support. The staff in the Office of the Provost support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University’s deans, directors, and department chairs, the Office of the Provost provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director provides high-level, strategic support to the Vice Provost and Assistant Provost overseeing the Academic Career Advancement portfolio. The Associate Director will contribute to efforts supporting the lifecycle of University faculty and academics; supporting academics at all stages and transitions of their careers to help them build and maintain academic excellence, intellectual engagement, and well-being. The Associate Director will develop and lead programs that foster community and ensure scholarly success. The position will require strategic thinking, data-based approaches, and high-level communication skills. A major focus of the Associate Director’s responsibilities will include strategic administration and oversight of the Neubauer Family Assistant Professor Program, a substantial endowed program which aims to attract and retain exceptional early-career scholars at the University of Chicago.
This position is endowment funded for a minimum of two years. Additional funding may be obtained to extend the position beyond that time.

Responsibilities

• Create innovative data-informed pilot programs to enhance faculty development; analyze success metrics and implement larger scale programs.

• Apply sophisticated research methods to analyze faculty recruitment and retention strategies at other universities across disciplines and propose customized strategies to improve success at UChicago.

• Overhaul communication strategy for faculty development including newsletters, and email communications in partnership with communications specialists.

• Optimize the faculty development website design and content to improve internal and external engagement and visibility in consultation with communications specialists.

• Audit success of current professional development programs through comprehensive data analysis.

• Develop and execute creative new events that build community for faculty and academics.

• Design and implement a new mentorship program, using analytical methods, starting with select cohorts of early-career faculty.

• Apply financial modeling to organize and maintain budgets related to faculty development and recruitment.

• Provide hands-on support at all professional and social events that are organized by the team.

• Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries such as communicating with programs sponsors and academic advising for undergraduate students.

• Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of relevant experience

• Knowledge of higher education and the University of Chicago.

• Experience working in central administration within a complex research university environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience with website design, user experience, and content creation.

• Advanced skills in Mailchimp, MyEmma, or other email marketing tools.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Strategic thinking skills to address complex problems.

• Strong ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information, exercise discretion, and maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and manage ambiguity.

• Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Excel for data analysis and visualization.

• Competence with advanced statistical analysis tools such as R, Python, MATLAB or Stata, and database tools such as SQL.

• Experience building financial models and maintaining operational budgets.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced office environment.

• Sitting at a computer for 4-6 hours.

• Periodic travel to other campus locations.

• Standing for periods of time when supporting events.

• Option for some hybrid work.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• Reference Contact Information (3) (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.