Careers

Job Description:

• Advises and partners with the Director on financial analysis and planning, budgeting, physical plant management and school operations, and policy matters. 
• Provides leadership in developing the Laboratory Schoolsâ™ long-range strategic goals and objectives as well as the daily and yearly management of the organization. 
• Works closely with the Lab Boardâ™s Committee on Planning and Operations on questions of annual planning and accountability as well as long-range strategic goal-setting. 
• Maintains clear and robust lines of communication, ensuring that the Director and other relevant partners are informed of all critical emerging and developing issues. 
• Works closely with the Director of Human Resources on employee benefits and compensation. 
• Represents the Schools to various departments of the University responsible for financial planning, operations, and maintenance of Lab School policies, programs, and facilities. 
• Serves as Labâ™s main point of contact for professional affiliations including ISBE and ISACS, leads re-accreditation processes, and works closely with senior academic administrators on institutional academic compliance. 
• Works closely with University partners on compliance issues, risk management, insurance, and legal guidance. 
• Maintains a healthy and productive relationship with unionized employees and non-unionized employees. Provides a leadership voice in union contract negotiations and brings a nuanced understanding of employee relations. 
• Serves as Labâ™s main point of contact for strategic partnerships, including High Jump. 
• Directly supervises a team of department directors, who, in turn, bear important responsibilities for the management of school affairs. 
• Supports direct reports in reaching their full potential by means of positive working relations informed by thoughtful goal setting, personalized feedback, ample communication, and performance appraisals. Fosters excellence in direct reportsâ™ work through professional development opportunities, leadership coaching and training, mentorship, and support.
• Exemplifies and supports a robust commitment among direct reports and teams to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Understands the importance of diversity in hiring to advance the schoolsâ™ mission. Across departments and teams, ensures ample opportunity and appropriate incentives for personal and professional growth in understanding implicit biases, the role of privilege in communities and cultures, and ensuring equitable systems, policies, and procedures.
• Promotes a culture of customer service, excellence, and continuous improvement among direct reports and their departments. Demonstrates and encourages a commitment to lifelong learning and growth.
• Provides oversight and leadership for a number of teams.
• Finance - supports the Director and Department of Finance on financial planning and analysis, budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation. Oversees development and communication of the annual budget and long-term financial planning and projections for the Schools. Ensures rigorous application of appropriate internal controls, financial planning processes, accounting standards, and safeguards for accountability, financial responsibility, and transparency. Analyzes data for trends and monitors progress towards goals for the Director, Board, and community. Oversees training and routine follow-up with budget managers across the schools. Supports the development and implementation of analytics, dashboards, and other strategies for financial transparency and accountability. Develops and maintains school policy related to procurement, travel, and financial controls generally.
• Operations - supports the Director and Department of Operations on campus maintenance, capital projects, safety and security, event management, mailroom, janitorial, and food services. Prioritizes clean, safe, and sustainable campus operations; takes a lead role in maintenance, building, and renovations projects, including consultation and decision-making in major construction projects. Partners with University colleagues on event management, traffic, sustainability, and safety training.
• Ensures support for the Safety and Security staff, part of the Operations team, with regard to emergency and crisis planning, training, drills, safety and security technology, and personnel. Chairs the schoolwide Threat Assessment Team.
• Information Technology and Registrar Services - supports the Director and Department of Information Technology and Registrar Services with regard to data systems, collection, management and maintenance and operational and educational technologies. Supports the team in ensuring smooth operations and appropriate communications in student information systems, help desk operations, educational technologies, and audio-visual technologies. Partners with the director and department to determine acceptable levels of IT risk, respond to IT security concerns, and set policy for students and staff around safe computing.
• Family Life (Auxiliary) Programs - supports the Director and Department of Family Life Programs on annual planning and daily operations in before- and after-school programs and summer programs, transportation, and facilities rentals, as well as long-term strategic planning in auxiliary programming. 
• Academic and Student Programs - provides guidance, partnership, and counsel to Labâ™s four academic divisions, nursing team, wellness and counseling programs, equal opportunity and Title IX programs. Provides advice with regard to compliance, legal, and budgetary matters in partnership with relevant University offices. 
• Serves as a liaison to academic, research, and administrative units within the division and of the University.
• Manages employees through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree.
• Masterâ™s degree in business, accounting, non-profit management, finance, or related field. 

Experience: 

• Minimum of ten years experience in progressively responsible leadership positions in financial/operational planning and oversight, preferably in non-profit organizations.
• Working in a primary or secondary independent school setting.
• Navigating the administration and bureaucracy of a university or other complex organization.
• Overseeing direct reports with a variety of responsibilities and proven track record of effective and productive supervision, management, and mentorship.
• Proven track record of long-range strategic planning as well as daily/routine management of programs and operations, preferably in an educational setting.
• Long-range organizational financial planning in a non-profit setting, determining and implementing budget goals, supporting a network of budget managers, and ensuring adequate oversight and safeguards for accountability and transparency.
• Overseeing physical plant management, information and technology endeavors, safety and security operations, janitorial, transportation, and/or food services a plus.
• Working in a unionized environment and experience with implementing and interpreting collective bargaining agreements.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong leadership skills and competencies.
• Think strategically, develop and follow through on long-range plans.
• Demonstrated, ongoing commitment to learning and growth in skills, issues, and competencies relevant to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Skill at building and sustaining excellent relationships at multiple levels with varied constituencies.
• Proven ability to manage, support, and mentor direct reports and work collegially and productively with peers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong customer service skills and commitment to instilling customer service skills across teams, including the ability to engage with constituents with kindness, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Business acumen, professionalism, attention to detail, and the ability to make well-informed decisions under deadline or other pressure.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Sit for 2 hours to 4 hours.
• Use computers extensively for 2 hours to 4 hours.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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: 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.