Senior Director of Academic Affairs

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

49d

About The Position

Reporting dually to the Assistant Dean of Faculty and Physician Services and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the Sr Director of Academic Affairs provides strategic administrative leadership for academic affairs as an essential and broad function serving a diverse faculty, physician and other academic appointments talent pool for the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the largest Division at the University of Chicago; oversees all administrative and operational functions related to the faculty academic appointment and reappointment processes. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) is a high-touch, service-oriented unit in the Dean's Office that ensures faculty searches and appointments comply with University of Chicago policies, inform BSD wide best practices, manages institutional data, and collaboratively review academic promotion and reappointment packages from appointive units for faculty and other academic appointees. The faculty appointment and promotion processes help to ensure the rigor of the University of Chicago faculty and physicians, which is key to the success of our education, research, and patient care missions. The BSD OAA plays a critical role in training, supporting, and advising academic administrators and departmental leadership to support faculty and physicians in successful recruitment and appointments. Overseeing the administrative team, the Sr Director establishes the BSD's strategies for aligning its faculty policies and processes with the University of Chicago's and the Biological Sciences Division's strategic visions, as well as those of its affiliated hospitals and health system.

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

Graduate degree strongly preferred.
Faculty affairs/academic affairs or with faculty in a legal or human resources capacity.
Experience working in academic medicine.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Effective interpersonal skills, including outstanding judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, thoughtful, and actionable reports.
Proven track record of being service oriented working with multiple stakeholders to build successful policies and processes.
Knowledge of labor laws and HR practices relevant in a University setting.
Proficiency with Workday, Interfolio or similar data management systems.

Responsibilities

Responsible for a team of seasoned academic affairs personnel, the Sr Director creates a professional environment that identifies, recruits, nurtures, and promotes talent. Build deep engagement, alignment, and loyalty while ensuring an effective pipeline for the team's growth.
Partners to build and execute academic affairs strategies, policies, and processes in partnership with BSD Leaders and the Office of Provost to ensure OAA is consistent with applicable Federal, State, and local law and UChicago policies. The Sr Director advises on interpreting University policies and developing Division policies, procedures, programs, and processes that enhance the recruitment, retention, and development of stellar and diverse faculty.
Advises Department Chairs, Institute Sr Directors, and other leaders on strategic efforts related to faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion, development, and retention issues. The Sr Director collaborates with the People Services Office on engagement, wellness, and development initiatives related to faculty and other academics.
Provide continual education and training to the Department and Service Delivery Units by creating and maintaining resources, including online tools, standard work, interactive training, and other communication to support the academic affairs staff to streamline processes and eliminate barriers to accurate and efficient work, whenever possible.
The Sr Director will also contribute to improving, refining, and simplifying processes related to the management of over 2,000 academic personnel, affiliates, and visitors within the Division of the Biological Sciences. A particular focus will be working closely with BSD leaders, chairs, executive administrators, and academic affairs administrators to anticipate issues, preemptively solve problems that may arise during academic review, but also to develop tools, standards, and practices that will modernize practices in support of the academic appointment and promotion of faculty and other academic appointees.
Partner with the newly created Office of Faculty & Physician Recruitment and Onboarding to develop optimized workflow for the life cycle of faculty and physician recruitment, including but not limited to position ideation, position posting, candidate search, candidate selection, negotiation and execution, academic appointment, onboarding and credentialing (where needed) and the first 90 days of start.
Collaborate with the analytics team and BSDIS to leverage technology and business intelligence tools to produce key trends, regular status updates, and reports regarding appointments, academic promotions and other activity (e.g., terminations, leaves) within the BSD, including but not limited to comprehensive and accurate tracking of recruitments and departures for all physician and faculty types.
Oversee the appointment of faculty to endowed professorships, including the matching of nominated candidates to available chairs, crafting of the letters of support for the identified faculty, and monitoring the approval and needed follow-up communications of appointment decisions.
Oversee appointments and reappointments of Departmental Chairs, including the solicitation of feedback for the Dean's review, crafting of appropriate documentation, follow-ups, and communication of reappointment decisions.
Oversee Visiting Scholars Appointments.
Work with People Services and the Office of Faculty and Physician Recruitment and Onboarding to assist and support departments with issues related to immigration, visa applications, etc.
Oversees the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals. Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.
Identifies operational goals and oversees allocation of resources to meet priorities. Ensures compliance of staff with organizational, University and other relevant policies and guidelines.
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.

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