Associate Director of Academic Program Operations

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•$88,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. These have fostered a unique intellectual environment that both ensures superb graduate education and continues to produce important and exciting scientific discoveries.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
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.
Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
Performs other related work as needed.