Director of Operations

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

6d • $128,000 - $176,000

About The Position

The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab is seeking a Director of Operations to provide management and responsibility for the labs’ daily operational needs. This person will oversee operational teams including finance, human resources, office management, and information technology. The Director of Operations will report to the Leadership Team and work collaboratively with the leadership team to execute on the mission, goals, and objectives of the Crime Lab and Education Lab.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in business or related field.
• Progressively responsible administrative or management experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with financial software and tools; experience with Oracle modules is a plus.
• Ability to work with staff to enhance budgeting and reporting systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, financial computing, and database software applications, with an emphasis on their integration with financial platforms.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data, produce detailed reports, and conduct financial modeling and quantitative analysis.
• Advanced financial acumen preferred, including demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, and financial forecasting.
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to manage and mentor staff, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
• Unwavering commitment to rigorous research-based evaluation.
• Track record of execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships, and work effectively in collaboration with a wide array of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Proven ability to do work requiring flexibility and innovation in identifying creative, real-world solutions that balance policy goals with practical execution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; adept at bridging the gap between technical operations and executive decision-making.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization; knowledge of substantive issues and local, state, and federal policies related to five focus areas of Urban Labs.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Crime Lab and Education Lab, through the management of the functional support teams.
• Provides strategic direction to these teams and serves as the final decision-maker when necessary.
• Provides direct oversight to the Finance team. This includes direct supervision; stewardship of the annual budget process; oversight of consultant contracting and external vendor relationships; and providing strategic direction for collaboration with other labs and related University offices.
• Provides direct oversight to the HR team. This includes direct supervision; providing strategic direction for recruiting and hiring, staff development and coordination with related University offices; serving as the decision-maker in personnel and staffing decisions.
• Provides direct oversight to the IT team. This includes direct supervision; ensuring all data privacy and security protocols are maintained; providing strategic direction for coordination between labs and with related University offices.
• Establishes collaborative working relationships across campus and with other partner organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization; Serves as a liaison to administrative units of the University.
• Works closely with the Faculty Director, Executive Director, Managing Director, and other leadership-level roles on budget planning to ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities, and retains authority of the central operations budget.
• Promotes an organizational culture that fosters passion for the mission, service to the communities where the organization seeks to have impact, cooperation, open and frequent communication, and teamwork.
• Identifies and evaluates risks to the organization, staff, partners, finances, goodwill, and image; implement measures to control risks.
• Supports staff planning and organizational design efforts, including the development, implementation, and refinement of organization charts to ensure clear roles, effective reporting structures, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Manages the implementation of organization-wide goals and strategic priorities by coordinating across research and operations teams, prioritizing effective resource allocation and high-quality execution.
• As necessary, represents the Crime and Ed Labs in areas that require coordination with UChicago Health Lab, UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab, and/or UChicago Energy and Environment Lab.
• Manages program operations and administrative functions to include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising proposal and development.
• Recommends program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
• 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. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager