Assistant Director, Programs and Operations

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business seeks an Assistant Director, Programs and Operations to support the Chookaszian Accounting Research Center (CARC) under the Faculty Director. You will oversee center operations, budgets, faculty support, data management, and strategic initiatives.

The role coordinates workshops, meetings, and conferences, manages vendor relations and website content with Booth Marketing, and helps recruit faculty and staff.

Qualifications

• Education: college or university degree in a related field.
• Work experience: 2-5 years in a related job discipline.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the administrative and operational partner to the Faculty Director.
• Manage the Center's annual operating budget and real-time reporting.
• Prepare monthly budget analyses and support planning cycle.
• Coordinate research support activities and data collection efforts.
• Oversee vendor contracts, invoices, and expense tracking.
• Plan and support workshops, meetings, and events.
• Assist recruitment logistics for faculty and staff.

Skills

Budget management

Contract management

Time management

Communication skills

Education

College/University degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Payment processing systems

Job description

Department Booth Accounting Research Center and JAR

About the Department The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Programs and Operations serves as a key operational and administrative partner to the Faculty Director, supporting the day-to-day management and long-term success of the Chookaszian Accounting Research Center (CARC). This position is responsible for overseeing center operations, budget administration, faculty support, data and information management, strategic initiatives, and program coordination. The Assistant Director manages the Center's financial activities, maintains operational systems and databases, supports faculty recruitment and engagement efforts, and contributes to initiatives that expand the visibility, reach, and impact of the Center. The role also coordinates workshops, faculty meetings, and select conferences and events that support the Center's mission.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary administrative and operational partner to the Faculty Director, supporting strategic priorities, special projects, faculty engagement efforts, and the overall management of Center operations.
• Manages the Center's annual operating budget, including forecasting, expense approval, financial tracking, reconciliations, and maintaining real-time budget reports for the Faculty Director.
• Prepares monthly budget analyses, projections, and financial reports and supports the annual budget planning process to ensure effective stewardship of Center resources.
• Supports the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that enhance the visibility, reach, impact, and long-term growth of the Center.
• Identifies and evaluates opportunities for new programs, services, research initiatives, and other forward-looking projects that advance the Center's mission and value stakeholders.
• Coordinates research support activities, surveys, data collection efforts, and other initiatives that strengthen the Center's research capabilities and impact.
• Prepares reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other analyses to support Center planning, faculty activities, and leadership decision-making.
• Manages faculty recruitment logistics and processes, serving as the primary point of contact for candidates; and coordinating interviews, visits, meetings, and related activities.
• Provides administrative and project support to faculty related to research initiatives, meetings, communications, and other Center activities.
• Manages relationships with vendors and external partners, including contract coordination, invoice processing, expense tracking, and payment administration.
• In partnership with Booth Marketing, oversees and maintains the Center's website, digital content, and communication channels to support engagement and outreach efforts.
• Coordinates the planning and execution of weekly workshops, seminars, and faculty meetings, including scheduling, communications, registrations, and logistical support.
• Plans and manages occasional conferences, summits, and special events, including project management, stakeholder coordination, travel arrangements, vendor management, and event-day support.
• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning or support services.
• Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.
• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts.
• Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree.

Experience: Administrative and operational experience. Event and program management experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Understanding of payment processing and financial systems.

Preferred Competencies

Demonstrated ability to manage and process expenses, contracts, and budgets.

Exceptional time, resource management, organizational skills and attention to detail.

Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.

Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.

Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, including in person, email, and phone.

Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.

Working Conditions

This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Job Family

Enrollment Information: Job Family Administration & Management Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible Yes 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.

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.

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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.