Business Administrator

University of Chicago; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Department of Pediatrics invites applications for a Business Administrator who will oversee day-to-day operations, finance, academic affairs, personnel management, and residency/fellowship programs.

The role partners with faculty and staff to optimize processes, manage HR and payroll, coordinate grants, and support research initiatives while ensuring compliance and service excellence.

Qualifications

• College/university degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of work experience in a related discipline.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to manage complex portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Assess office organization, identify deficiencies, and implement improvements.
• Coordinate functions to support research groups and residency/fellowship programs.
• Collaborate with physicians and nurses to manage academic appointments, HR, and payroll.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and budgets; monitor spending and grants.
• Liaise with Research Administration and other university departments.

Skills

Operations management

Finance

HR coordination

Grant administration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in health administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About the Department

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago is a dynamic and stimulating place to work. We strive for the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment; provide outstanding education and training for students, postgraduate scholars, and physicians; and nurture the research of Department scholars who seek to elucidate the causes of pediatric disease and identify promising new therapies. In addition to our provision of clinical care at UChicago Medicine (UCM) Comer Children’s Hospital and at our regional sites, we are currently expanding our clinical care across Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. In collaboration with our partners in the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA; Advocate Children’s Hospital, and NorthShore University Health System). CCHA has responsibility for the care of almost 1 million children. The Department has expanded its presence to numerous satellite sites of care across the region with the goal of providing care ‘close to home’ whenever feasible (https://pediatrics.uchicago.edu/). Our mission is to improve the health of every child entrusted to us, in an inclusive environment that is committed to family-centered care, clinical excellence, impactful scholarship, effective disease prevention, and advocacy for the appropriate care of every child. We are especially committed to the children on the South Side of Chicago and to altering the inequities in healthcare.

Job Summary

The Business Administrator manages the day-to-day operation of a complement of sections in the Department of Pediatrics. The incumbent performs a range of professional activities in support of research, clinical, and educational missions and related programs and projects. Collaborates closely with the Section Administrator to meet the needs of assigned sections. This role has five (5) main areas of responsibility: operations, finance, academic affairs, personnel management, and oversight of residency and fellowship training programs. Additionally, the incumbent facilitates research initiatives of the faculty and staff.

Responsibilities

• Performs ongoing assessments of office organization and function, identifies operational deficiencies, recommends and implements solutions.
• Assists PIs with coordination of all functions necessary to support a research group.
• Partners with physicians, nurses and other staff members to provide broad administrative support, including oversight of academic appointments, medical staff privileges, recruitment, onboarding, and promotion.
• Assists with coordination of all functions necessary to support the residency and/or fellowship training programs, including management of interview schedules, coordinating applicant interview schedules, troubleshooting and onboarding.
• Assist Section Chief and Administrator with operational and administrative needs as requested.
• May manage special projects or functions related to the business of the organizational unit.
• Serves as a liaison with Research Administration and supports management and reconciliation of research accounts, including pre-award and post-award.
• In partnership with Departmental Human Resources (HR), manages various HR needs, including hiring, termination, time and attendance, payroll, as well as employee and labor relations.
• Researches, compiles and analyzes data to create reports, proposals and business plans.
• Examine and apply information thoughtfully to help solve problems and improve and optimize processes.
• Assist in space planning and adjustments.
• Manage day-to-day facility issues and monitor overall environment.
• Professionally supports the clinical department management.
• Implements plans for clinical educational programs and initiatives.
• Monitors finances for the clinical section.
• Provides management with regular updates and ensures that spending limits are adhered to and are within budget.
• Assists faculty in the pursuit of grants and awards.
• Conducts special studies and projects, including the development and enhancement of funding opportunities by working closely with the faculty in the section.
• Acts as a liaison between the section and other University departments.
• 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 in health administration, public policy, business, accounting or related health/human services field.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience: 3+ years of progressively responsible administrative experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with handling a large volume of work often restricted by deadlines.
• Previous experience working within a university, clinical setting, or academic medical center environment.
• Previous experience managing complex research and grant portfolios.
• Previous experience in data analytics.
• Previous experience with quality improvement practices.

Preferred Competencies

• Self-starter who can operate in a complex administrative environment with limited oversight.
• Familiarity with general business practices.
• Commitment to providing a high level of service and working in a team environment.
• High degree of professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity and comfort working with physicians and nurses.
• Familiarity working in an academic medical center environment.
• Grant management experience.

Job Family

Administration & Management Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required Yes Health Screen Required Yes Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 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

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. 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.

University Overview

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.