Temporary Interim Executive Director, Mckeon Center

Department

College The College

About the Department

The Office of the College Dean, located in Harper Memorial Library, oversees the academic and operational administration of the College, including curriculum and academic programs, finance and budgeting, study abroad and second language acquisition initiatives, Development and Alumni Relations, Housing and Residential Life, Summer Session, the Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts, and grant administration.

The College is comprised of the College Dean's office, four Collegiate Divisions, the Office of Research and Teaching Innovations, 14 units under the collegiate division organization; the Dean of Students office with its 4 subsidiaries - the College Programming Office, the College Core Tutor Program, the Office of College Community Standards and the Center for College Student Success; the Study Abroad Office, College Information Technology, the Arley Cathey Learning Center, the Society of Fellows, Summer Quarter, College Writing Program, and the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning.

Rooted in the University's commitment to rigorous inquiry and culture of free expression, the McKeon Center was launched to explore the many intellectual legacies of the work of University of Chicago philosopher, classicist, and human rights advocate Richard McKeon. The McKeon Center is the natural home for McKeon's investigation into systems of knowledge organization and his own intellectual pluralism. The McKeon Center will aim not to reproduce his work, but rather to unfold its implications for future inquiry. The McKeon Center is committed to engaging the world beyond the University, bringing new perspectives and conversations to help address society's pressing challenges.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean of The College, the temporary Interim Executive Director will provide overall operational leadership and direction to the McKeon Center, managing day-to-day activities, overseeing finance, academic affairs, internal and external communications, facilities, grants, budget, human resources, partnerships, and events, and working with the Faculty Director on strategic direction and priorities. The Interim Executive Director will provide careful follow-through to ensure the Center's initiatives and programs are successfully implemented and will be accountable for the performance and results of the Center. The Interim Executive Director will also support a limited set of interdisciplinary programmatic efforts, in coordination with the Office of the Provost.

This is a temporary position that is expected to last 12 months from the time of hire, with the possibility of extension based on program need and mutual agreement. The successful candidate will have strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, as well as deep knowledge of higher education policies, procedures, and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Supports leadership in program assessment, strategic planning, goal setting, and identification and pursuit of new programmatic opportunities.

• Represents the Center's interests and perspectives with strategic partners across multiple programs and initiatives, and facilitates communication, cooperation, and collaboration with the Divisions, Schools, multi-disciplinary units and centers, and partners beyond the University.

• Elevates the Center as a valuable resource across the UChicago community, contributing to broader University goals and ambitions and ensures alignment with institutional priorities.

• Provides ideas, structure, and leadership, in coordination with the Faculty Director, for the development of events and programming, including seminars, colloquia, conferences, and workshops.

• Oversees communications strategy and marketing efforts, to increase the visibility of the Center's programs and collaborators.

• Promotes an organizational culture that fosters commitment to the Center's mission, professional excellence, and a collaborative, inclusive, and experimental interdisciplinary work environment.

• Develops, mentors, and supports a small high-performing, flexible, and collaborative team.

• Designs and directs administrative systems and operational policies in consultation with leadership, responsible for core management and oversight of all administrative functions, which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, facilities management and space planning, information technology, etc.

• Develops and manages the Center's long-range financial plan and develops sustainable policies and procedures to support the continued growth and success of the Institute. Oversees finance and strategic budget planning; allocates resources to promote strategic priorities and takes advantage of opportunities.

• Coordinates limited cross-disciplinary activities in coordination with the Office of the Provost and postdocs in relevant departments. Leads activities supporting postdocs and students through the completion of their programs, convening of workshops, and overseeing and transitioning financial and space-related matters.

• Handles sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

• 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.

• Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.

• 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 in a related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of demonstrated administrative leadership experience, with progressively responsible operational experience.

• Background in a university setting, research environment, or other not-for-profit organization.

• Managing facilities.

• Administratively supporting scholarly research programs in a broad range of fields.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• A strong understanding of the Center's mission and an ability to translate and communicate the Center's work in an accurate and effective manner.

• Demonstrated proficiency using software such as the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Demonstrated proficiency with budgeting tools and systems such as Oracle and human resources systems such as Workday.

Preferred Competencies

• Identify and engage funding sources.

• Develop budgets and financial planning.

• Manage programs and event planning.

• Develop and execute communications.

• Supervise and motivate staff while working within organizational policies.

• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication.

• Strong personal initiative, leadership, and vision.

• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.

• Work independently as well as part of a team.

• Hiring well-qualified, diverse, motivated staff, supervising their work, and aiding in their career development.

• Creating and maintaining a collegial work culture that emphasizes teamwork, results, and work-life harmony.

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Demonstrated sound judgment and discretion, and use of analytical and problem-solving skills to exercise sound, self-motivated, independent, and ethical decisions.

• Successfully manage a workload which balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing a busy operation.

• Punctuality, taking initiative, and multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.

• Travel around campus.

• Sit for 2-to-4 hours.

• Option for hybrid work.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (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.

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