Academic Systems Manager

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks an Academic Systems Manager to lead planning, delivery, and ongoing support for the university's academic applications. You will oversee a team responsible for operations, enhancements, and strategic technology projects, driving service excellence and aligning with university stakeholders.

You will manage resources, guide project execution, and represent IT Services in key engagements, ensuring reliable, high-quality technology solutions for the academic community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a related field required.
• 7+ years of relevant work experience.
• Certifications not required.

Responsibilities

• Leads team activities supporting live systems and delivering new features.
• Oversees incident and request ticket management and change control.
• Manages project plans and milestone reporting to stakeholders.
• Responsible for resource loading and capacity planning.
• Represents IT Services to key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership and team building

Project management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft Campus Solutions

Job description

Department OPS ITS - University Systems

About the Department IT Services (ITS) collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications that support the mission of the University. ITS supports and enables faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology, simplifies the technology experience for all users, and identifies, manages, and mitigates technology risks for the University.

Job Summary

The Academic Systems Manager provides leadership for the planning, delivery, and ongoing support of the University's academic applications. This role oversees a team responsible for managing system operations, implementing enhancements, and delivering strategic technology projects that support academic initiatives. The Manager ensures projects are executed in alignment with established project management methodologies, drives operational excellence through effective service management practices, and partners with stakeholders across the University to develop and implement application strategies. This position also represents IT Services in key stakeholder engagements, manages resource allocation and team priorities, and fosters collaboration to deliver reliable, high-quality technology solutions that meet the evolving needs of the academic community.

Responsibilities

• Leads team activities in supporting live systems and delivering new features and system enhancements.
• Oversees operational activities, including incident and request ticket management, resource allocations and assignments, and all service management efforts, such as change and release management.
• Manages the team’s delivery of key projects; develops project plans and reports milestone status to key stakeholders.
• Responsible for resource assignment and resource loading activities, and manages capacity building modeling used in determine bandwidth for new initiatives.
• Responsible for service management plans and compliance with IT Service Management policies and procedures.
• Provides vendor management including, but not limited to, ensuring SLA’s are met, invoice payments are processed, management of maintenance agreements and renewal processes, etc.
• Hires staff, including permanent, term, and contracting resources.
• Supervises team members, mentors staff, and prepares team members for roles with increased responsibility.
• Manages performance of staff including goal-setting, performance reviews, and professional development plans.
• Responsible for the continual improvement process management efforts, which includes, but may not be necessarily limited to reviewing the specifications and materials of other team members and providing feedback; applying a solid understanding of SDLC concepts while completing tasks; ensuring other team members follow agreed upon processes; developing templates and tools to enhance process management; owning the creation, facilitation, and follow-up of project meetings; providing counsel to the Director in areas of process improvement, request management, and prioritizations; and organizing and managing the documentation file structures.
• Staffs stakeholder meetings, and under the general direction of the Director, represents IT Services to key stakeholders.
• Builds partnerships with stakeholders, stewards, IT, and client colleagues to implement the application strategy.
• Participates in the defining of standards and processes, incorporating best practices where practical.
• Creates plans to translate business requirements into well-designed applications while balancing user and business needs, technical competencies, industry developments, and time constraints.
• Formulates and defines specifications for complex installations, maintenance, and upgrades.
• Identifies and analyzes performance and capacity issues.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in a project-oriented environment. 2+ years of enterprise application management and development environment. 5+ years supporting and managing ERP systems. Developing and supporting complex, multi-tiered systems. Background with academic information system projects. Serving multiple constituencies and sponsors. Managing software vendors and contract requirements. 2+ years of experience in a Research 1 university managing an integrated vendor supported systems.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge: Prior experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions student information system. Knowledge of educational data standards and regulations.

Preferred Competencies

• Understanding the intricate technical concepts, components, and implementation of solutions.
• Proven ability to deal with multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong interest in group dynamics and team building.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid, onsite and remote as determined by responsibilities.
• Standard office environment.

Job Family Information Technology Role Impact People Manager Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $135,000.00 - $150,000.00

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.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.