Assistant Director, Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

235d • $50,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Assistant Director for the Joyce Z. and Jacob Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies serves as the primary operational and administrative lead of the Center, ensuring it runs smoothly and effectively across multiple functional areas. This position encompasses key responsibilities in administration, budget/finance, and academic and student support. Additionally, this position supervises one full-time special event coordinator position supporting both Jewish Studies and the Center for East European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (CEERES).

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Degree in business administration.
• Progressively responsible administrative experience.
• Supervision / leadership.
• Managing short- and long-term projects.
• Planning and executing events.
• Budget management.
• Background in higher education environment.
• Knowledge of Mac/PC.
• Proficient with standard computer programs, such as MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internet applications.
• Proficient with routinely used University systems such as Oracle, Orbit, Academic Information System, Course Inventory Management System, Catalog updating system.

Responsibilities

• Develops a deep understanding of the Joyce Z. and Jacob Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies and serves as point person for the Center.
• Responds to inquiries, liaise with internal and external partners, and provides administrative support to ensure smooth operations.
• Processes a high volume of financial transactions for Jewish Studies and CEERES, including reimbursements and payments for academics, visitors, students, vendors, grants, GEMS activities, co-sponsorship events, honorariums, invoices, and event-related expenses.
• Maintains records of financial purchases, account balances, and spending.
• Troubleshoots and reconciles financial transaction concerns; elevates issues as needed.
• Stays current on financial systems, policies, and processes through regular trainings and adoption of best practices.
• Plans and manages Center budget.
• Provides Director and Board with regular budget reports.
• Writes and submits internal grant proposals to supplement Center funding and provide reports to granting institutions on use of funds.
• Manages correspondence for the Center.
• Organizes and takes minutes for board meetings.
• Represents the Center at monthly staff meetings and annual Registrar's meeting.
• Maintains contact with donors.
• Fulfills donor requests for information on sponsored visiting scholars and fellowship recipients.
• Drafts solicitation letters on behalf of the Director and partner with the Development team on mailings and communications with donors.
• Supervises the Jewish Studies and CEERES (shared) Special Events Coordinator position.
• Oversees the Jewish Center website, event calendar, newsletter, and outreach efforts.
• Ensures updates entered by the events coordinator are made timely and accurately.
• Regularly updates Center directories and academic programming information on web pages and other platforms.
• Hires and supervises student workers.
• Supports Visiting Professor Program, including two-to-three visitors per year.
• Gathers academic dossier on candidates for appointments managed through degree programs.
• Assists with onboarding, housing, visa, office space, research assistants, and matters related to teaching courses, such as information on Canvas, ordering books, etc.
• Ensures effective administration of the Major and Minor in Jewish Studies.
• Maintains the College Catalog of courses.
• Manages student awards, including sending call for applications, organizing material for faculty review, arranging for awards, research and travel grants, conference presentation grants, essay prizes, graduate student funding, etc.
• Stands-in for director at meetings and awards ceremonies when needed.
• Schedules courses.
• Liaise between the Board and the College to ensure Registrar's requirements are met and courses are included for credit within the major and minor.
• Checks course listings of departments for courses related to Jewish Studies and seeks crosslistings for undergraduate offerings.
• Advertises undergraduate and graduate courses quarterly; maintains historical list of all JWSC courses and cross listings.
• Maintains office equipment and supply inventory.
• 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.
• Analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree