Senior Strategic Research Programs Manager

University of Chicago; United States; On-site; USD 63,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago seeks a Sr. Program Administrator for the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) to support interdisciplinary research and center initiatives. You will coordinate operations, strategic planning, and faculty-facing research support, including workshops, training, and proposal development.

You will work with faculty leadership to translate ideas into competitive funding, manage budgets and facilities, and ensure alignment with divisional goals across centers and teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher with experience in research administration or academic programs.
• Experience coordinating complex initiatives and supporting faculty leadership.
• Graduate degree is preferred for advanced responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate operations and plan for SSRC and centers; align with strategic goals.
• Develop knowledge of faculty research interests to shape programs.
• Establish processes, guidelines, and performance standards.
• Manage the Faculty Advisory Board and support strategic growth.
• Lead special initiatives and represent the division in collaborations.
• Support proposal development and external funding efforts.
• Guide investigators on data, project management, and sponsor requirements.
• Coordinate large sponsored projects with campus partners.
• Organize proposal prep and ensure timely, compliant submissions.
• Develop communications plans and maintain external-facing materials.
• Build partnerships with Research Computing, IRB, Library, etc.
• Oversee the SSRC facilities and internal funding programs.
• Supervise interns and student staff with clear priorities.

Skills

Research administration

Grant management

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Proposal development

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Excel

Job description

The University of Chicago seeks a Sr. Program Administrator for the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) to support interdisciplinary research and center initiatives. You will coordinate operations, strategic planning, and faculty-facing research support, including workshops, training, and proposal development.

You will work with faculty leadership to translate ideas into competitive funding, manage budgets and facilities, and ensure alignment with divisional goals across centers and teams.