Director, Research, Strategic Initiatives, and Operations
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department
Booth Rustandy Center

About the Department
The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation is the destination for people committed to tackling complex social and environmental problems. As Chicago Booth's social impact hub, the Rustandy Center builds on the school's grounding in business fundamentals with experiential learning and research. Through programs and events in social innovation and social enterprise, the Rustandy Center equips the community with the knowledge and tools to positively impact humanity. Formerly the Social Enterprise Initiative, the Rustandy Center was launched in March 2012 to support growing interest among faculty, students and alumni to understand and engage with the evolving set of institutions addressing social problems. The Rustandy Center works with organizations of all types: nonprofit, for-profit, and government.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary
The Director of Research, Strategic Initiatives, and Operations is a senior leader on the team, the only staff member in addition to the executive director, whose responsibilities span the entire Booth Rustandy Center, comprising a team of 20 people operating in the US and globally. The Director provides executive leadership of and strategic direction for the Rustandy Center's research and operational initiatives, driving organizational excellence and impactful work. To this end, the Director leads the research initiatives and faculty support, Center-wide enterprise events and strategic projects, and leads the team operating the Center globally.

This role deals with both big picture visioning and leadership of detailed execution. Strategic initiatives include the Center's visioning and strategy, enterprise events, and most importantly, pilots new strategic initiatives for the Rustandy Center and Chicago Booth. On the operations side, the Director leads the operational infrastructure to support the Center's suite of student and alumni programs, and budgeting and financial management. A leader within the team, the Director innovates and adapts processes to suit the team and the unique needs of the center.

Responsibilities

• Architects and oversees the Center's research strategy, including the data hub, research partnerships, and emerging initiatives.
• Fosters collaboration among research and programming teams to maximize impact and knowledge transfer. Collaborates extensively with Programs team leadership.
• Cultivates relationships with Chicago Booth faculty to understand their interests and research objectives, and in turn identify and develop research opportunities.
• Oversees the Center's participation in joint research opportunities across campus, including with the Inclusive Economy Lab, The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, and many more.
• Leads activities to define and execute the Center's strategic vision, including oversight of the annual planning process.
• Directs high-level stewardship activities, including Advisory Council engagement. Manages key stewardship activities in partnership with Advancement, including Rustandy Center Advisory Council meetings, communications, and enterprise level celebration events.
• Guides measurement and evaluation (M & E) strategy.
• Leads and provides vision for special projects, including pilot programs and one-time initiatives, including but not limited to, newly unveiled arts program.
• Conducts and leads meaningful team engagement to build team cohesion, and reinforce values and mission of the Center, while leveraging staff on the team and University partners in HR, central HR, and externally.
• Directs all operational aspects of the Center in collaboration with Booth's partners in IT, Accounting, Facilities, and HR, including financial management, technology infrastructure, and facilities.
• Leads development of systems and processes for more efficient execution of the Center's mission, including program operations, managing budgets and expenses, onboarding new staff, tracking team and individual goals.
• Serves as Rustandy Center Organization Financial Manager (OFM).
• Manages the daily operations of an organizational unit or assists with managing the daily operations of a larger organizational unit, primarily in the areas of financial, purchasing, grant, facilities, human resources and support services management. Ensures compliance of staff with organizational, University and other relevant policies and guidelines.
• May oversee the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals. Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Master's degree.

Experience:

• A minimum ten years of professional experience with academic research support, operations, strategy.
• Background with budgeting, accounting, and annual planning.
• Developing and planning special projects, strategy, growth initiatives, etc. necessary; ideally have experience working with diverse audiences, moving groups to consensus, and driving forward projects.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated people management and strong leadership skills.
• Demonstrated passion and interest in the mission of the Rustandy Center.
• Excellent and professional verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects concurrently.
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts.
• Proven ability to seek out, coordinate and appropriately disseminate information.
• Work successfully with frequent interruptions.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the University of Chicago, its systems, and its constituents strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.
• Travel occasionally between Hyde Park campus, downtown Gleacher Center, and other local destinations (technology incubators, area hotels, etc.).
• Flexibility to occasionally work late or start early for events.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

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

Job Family
Administration & Management

Role Impact
People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$102,000.00 - $132,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

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.

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