Senior Program Administrator, Social Sciences Research Center, Research Centers, and Team Science

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

12d

About The Position

The Senior Program Administrator supports the effective operation and development of the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) and a portfolio of interdisciplinary research centers and team-science initiatives across the University of Chicago Division of the Social Sciences. The role works closely with faculty and center leadership on strategic planning, research development, communications, program growth, and organizational effectiveness, and leads faculty-facing research support activities such as methodological workshops, training, proposal-development resources, data-use and data-acquisition support, and connections to University research infrastructure. For centers without dedicated administrative staff, the position oversees core operations including budgets, facilities, procurement, contracts, events, records, and related functions. The role coordinates research development and sponsored-award activities, manages internal funding programs, and builds relationships with campus and external partners. It reports to the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives and supervises, trains, and develops interns and student staff.

Requirements

College or university degree in a related field.
Two to five years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage priorities, and work independently within established goals and policies.
Advanced knowledge of University policies, administration, operations, and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of social science research techniques, methods, scientific applications, and research infrastructure.
Strong project and time-management skills, including managing multiple initiatives and competing priorities.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills; ability to anticipate issues, adapt, and identify strategic opportunities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills across disciplines and with varied constituencies.
Ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships in complex research environments.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to train, mentor, and develop others.
Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, flexibility, self-direction, and a record of delivering strong results.
Required application documents: resume, cover letter, and three references.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD, preferably in the social sciences or a related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, research administration, research centers, grants management, nonprofit management, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex initiatives, advising senior stakeholders, and managing cross-functional operations involving multiple stakeholder groups.
Experience administering competitive research programs and grants and contributing to strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and program development.
Experience working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, administrators, students, central offices, and external partners.
Supervisory or staff-management experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate operations and planning for the SSRC and assigned interdisciplinary research centers, working with faculty and center leadership to set and implement strategic priorities.
Develop knowledge of faculty research interests and use it to shape research-support programs and cross-center opportunities.
Establish organizational structures, business processes, workflows, guidelines, and performance standards.
Manage the SSRC Faculty Advisory Board and support faculty leadership in vision, implementation, assessment, and strategic growth.
Carry out special initiatives for the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives and represent the Division in collaborative projects as assigned.
Support research development for centers and collaborative initiatives, helping translate ideas into competitive external funding proposals.
Advise investigators on broader impacts, data management, project management, sponsor requirements, and proposal strategy and development.
Coordinate large sponsored-award projects and collaborative, interdisciplinary, and institutional programs with campus faculty and staff.
Organize proposal preparation and submission services, anticipating investigator needs and ensuring compliance with University policies and sponsor expectations.
Contribute to grant writing, fundraising, stewardship materials, and reports; develop indicators and outcomes that demonstrate program impact.
Develop and lead research-development training, methodological workshops, and targeted training opportunities; create proposal-development tools and templates.
Build relationships with University partners, including the Research Computing Center, IRB, Library, and other central units, to connect faculty and centers to research resources.
Oversee the Division’s proposal library and funding-opportunity resources and support data-use and data-acquisition needs with University partners.
Manage the Division’s research facility at 1155 E. 60th Street, coordinating administrative needs for research projects, visitors, events, and access.
Manage internal funding opportunities for faculty and student researchers, including RFPs, proposal review, award announcements, and reporting.
Coordinate administrative functions for centers without dedicated staff, including finances, external funding, payments, facilities, supplies, equipment, contracts, events, records, and databases.
Develop operational guidelines and plans aligned with institutional goals and policies; maintain knowledge of administrative systems and update procedures as needed.
Review administrative processes and recommend improvements.
Develop and implement communications plans and coordinate authorized website, email, and other communications for internal and external audiences.
Manage relationships with departments, units, divisions, central offices, and external partners; coordinate staff as appropriate to share practices and foster collaboration.
Supervise, train, and provide professional development for interns and student staff, establishing priorities, workflows, and expectations.
Administer delivery of services to program participants and beneficiaries, interact with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work and information, and perform other related work as needed.