Associate Director, AI for Climate Programs

Pre-Doctoral in Economics Program (PREP); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute seeks an Associate Director for its AI for Climate initiative to manage day-to-day operations, program delivery, and staff coordination, reporting to the Director of AI for Weather.

You will translate strategic goals into concrete plans, oversee budgets, supervise researchers, postdocs, and administrative staff, and coordinate with sponsors, partners, and university offices to keep the program on track.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 5–7 years of related work experience.
• PhD in a scientific, environmental, policy, or related field preferred.
• Experience coordinating multi-institutional or interagency stakeholders.
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Experience in academic, research, or science-policy environments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute daily operations and program portfolio, translating strategic goals into actionable work plans.
• Perform ongoing assessment of program organization and function; identify operational gaps, recommend improvements, and implement solutions.
• Lead and manage special projects related to the research of the initiative, as assigned by the Director.
• Oversee the initiative’s communications and ensure senior-level continuity on administrative matters related to active program work.
• Assist the Director in overseeing hiring, performance evaluation, and professional development for initiative staff, in coordination with DSI HR and administrative leadership.
• Coordinate engagement with initiative sponsors, government partners, foundations, and international collaborators; serve as a programmatic point of contact for active projects.
• Act as a liaison between the AI for Climate initiative and other University departments, the Physical Sciences Division, and relevant compliance and sponsored research offices.
• Monitor the AI for Climate initiative budget; provide the Director with regular financial updates, ensure spending within approved limits, and make budgetary recommendations.
• Support proposal development for grants and contracts; assist in preparing reports for funders and track grant deliverable timelines.
• Coordinate action items and participants for scientific meetings; develop sufficient technical fluency in AI and climate topics to communicate effectively with researchers and external partners.
• Develop and communicate program priorities and performance standards and assess operations using these criteria; plan and conduct quality assurance reviews.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget oversight

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in scientific/environmental/policy field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Grants management tools

Job description

The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute seeks an Associate Director for its AI for Climate initiative to manage day-to-day operations, program delivery, and staff coordination, reporting to the Director of AI for Weather.

You will translate strategic goals into concrete plans, oversee budgets, supervise researchers, postdocs, and administrative staff, and coordinate with sponsors, partners, and university offices to keep the program on track.