Assistant Director, The Harris Social Impact Fellowship

About the Department

Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

About the Role

The Harris School of Public Policy seeks an organized, proactive, and mission-driven Assistant Director for the Harris Social Impact Fellowship to support the launch and ongoing operations of this prestigious, year-long program. The fellowship equips high-achieving, technically minded recent college graduates with the skills, mentorship, and community needed to drive meaningful social impact through data analytics, policy, and leadership development. The inaugural cohort will launch in Summer 2026.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director will provide critical programmatic, operational, and logistical support to help drive the creation, development, and execution of the fellowship. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a new and innovative program at its inception, supporting fellows, faculty, and partners while helping shape a world-class learning experience in public policy and social impact. This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and a passion for a rigorous approach to public policy and social impact.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Program Director to develop and oversee a dynamic fellowship program emphasizing data analytics, policy tools, and leadership development.
• Works with the Program Director to design and oversee the implementation of the fellowship, ensuring alignment with the mission and goals of the Harris School of Public Policy.
• Supports the development of partnerships with faculty and organizations to build the fellowship experience.
• Supports the execution of a comprehensive recruitment strategy to attract a high-achieving applicant pool.
• Supports the fellow selection process, including application review, interviews, and cohort formation.
• Organizes flagship events, including capstone presentations, annual alumni retreat, orientation, workshops, and site visits.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for applicants and fellows, responding to questions and coordinating logistics related to the application, coursework, experiential learning, and events.
• Collects and manages feedback from fellows to improve the program experience.
• Assists with preparing materials for donors, advisory boards, and internal stakeholders.
• Assists in collecting and analyzing program data to support reporting and evaluation efforts.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries. Sets 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.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Competencies

• Plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects.
• Entrepreneurial attitude.
• Strong organizational and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with data analytics and public policy frameworks.
• Comfort managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Working Conditions

This role is located in Chicago, at the University with a hybrid work arrangement.

Pay

$65,000.00 - $78,000.00 annual salary.

Benefits

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.