Associate Director of Academic Program Operations

About the Department

One of the first departments founded at the University of Chicago was the Department of Chemistry. Since its inception, the Department of Chemistry has embodied the University's central mission of excellence in both research and teaching. The University of Chicago has been the recipient of more than 73 Nobel Prize recipients, 15 of which came from the Department of Chemistry. Our current faculty has considerable strength in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary research that delves into biology, physics, and materials science.

The Department is a community of over 500, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff. Our academic support group operates the graduate and undergraduate educational programs for the department, including 60 undergraduate Chemistry majors and nearly 300 graduate students. Close student-faculty interactions have been a hallmark of our department for over a century, fostering a unique intellectual environment that ensures superb graduate education and produces important and exciting scientific discoveries.

About the Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Associate Director of Academic Program Operations leads administrative operations for the graduate and undergraduate programs within the Department of Chemistry and is the primary owner of administrative operations for these programs. In support of and in collaboration with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), this individual is accountable for the delivery of comprehensive operational support to all academic programs. The position collaborates with the Student Affairs Administrator(s) and Managing Director to ensure seamless coordination across the department and has a dotted line reporting relationship to the Dean of Students.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for curricular and process improvements as well as develop innovative solutions to program challenges in collaboration with DGS, DUS, and faculty leadership.
• Oversee and track yearly academic performance reviews and student progress within the master’s and PhD programs.
• Prepare monthly reports of graduate program metrics related to the yearly progress tasks for the DGS.
• Coordinate, organize, and lead critical workstreams and events in graduate student recruitment, admissions, and orientation in collaboration with faculty leadership.
• Collect student concerns and develop resolution and response plans in coordination with the DGS, DUS, and appropriate University offices.
• Manage undergraduate academic processes including chemistry placement testing, assignments, Minor forms, and course substitutions.
• Coordinate with the Student Affairs Administrator to complete classroom assignments and course catalog updates.
• Coordinate with associated College and Divisional offices including the Registrar, Advising, and Dean of Students to ensure successful execution of educational programs.
• Manage and oversee payroll streams and workflows for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Organize and manage undergraduate programs and events, including but not limited to, The Beckman Scholar Program, open houses, awards selection and distribution, information sessions, and summer exchange programs.
• Manage Teaching Assistant assignments in coordination with the DUS.
• Develop positive and active working relationships with internal and external constituents to create synergies across departments related to programming, resolution of student issues, and other matters of common interest.
• Use in-depth knowledge and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries, such as communicating with program sponsors and academic advising for undergraduate students.
• Develop and communicate program priorities and performance standards and assess operations using these criteria. Plan and conduct quality assurance reviews and recommend changes as appropriate.
• Manage program budgets and recommend or make budgetary recommendations.
• Interact with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work or information.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D., or foreign equivalent, in chemistry or a related field.
• Management of administrative processes in a higher education setting.
• Experience managing academic programs and procedures.
• Experience managing or improving complex processes.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, independently develop and evaluate options, and develop solutions.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with faculty and other leaders across an institution.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organization, analytical, and coordination skills including attention to detail.

Pay

$88,000.00 - $110,000.00

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.