Job Description:

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support to ensure the Director can dedicate his time and efforts to items he is uniquely suited to address; meet critical deadlines; follow through on important opportunities; and is well-prepared for meetings and events. 
• Working with the team to translate conversations and detailed meeting notes into concept notes, presentation outlines, project plans, and other documents.
• Helping to ensure that the Directorâ™s involvement occurs at key times, where input and direction are most needed.
• Maintaining a breadth of understanding of projects across the Lab, as well as understanding how it fits into the broader projects of BFI.
• Acting as a thought partner and sounding board where needed, from determining meeting plans during travel to assessing new opportunities.
• Anticipating problems, elevating issues that require attention, and being sensitive to issues that require diplomacy.
• Drafting communications and written documents  for the Director. 
• Provide strategic and operational leadership by developing systems and processes that enable organizational effectiveness and strong collaboration among colleagues to achieve impact.
• Under the guidance and direction of the Director, spearhead the annual and quarterly planning processes and ensure alignment of goals across the Lab.
• Support the development of objectives and key results and track their progress.
• Support the Director in researching, thinking through, setting, and implementing policies that are in line with BFI and the University more broadly.
• Propose the creation of new systems and processes to streamline operations; where improvement is needed, recommend a course of action.
• Work closely with the BFI HR and Finance team on overall hiring process and strategies, including drafting job descriptions, developing the interview process, and recruiting and screening candidates.
• Manage staff by committing to their development and empowering them to achieve results. 
• Set an organizational culture rooted in respect and openness to feedback, where all staff feel valued and excited to contribute to the success of the Lab; hear peopleâ™s concerns, find common ground to build a foundation of trust, and inspire engagement in the Labâ™s mission.
• Develop, refine, and maintain internal communication norms to ensure that staff have the information they need and have clear ways of providing feedback into organizational decisions.
• Develop and oversee the budget in cooperation with the BFI Finance team to ensure expenses are kept in line with projections while managing reasonable deviations that are critical to project advancement.
• Provide in-depth program management expertise and support on a portfolio of projects as needed, from developing project charters to driving tactical implementation.
• Coordination among multiple stakeholders within and/or outside of BFI and the university, ensuring alignment, coordination, and collaboration.
• Organization of meetings, retreats, conferences, and other special events.
• Contributing to managing specific initiatives (e.g. Weiss Fund, research partnerships)  as needed.
• Provides leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
• Manages related teams. Establishes department priorities, may be responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Masterâ™s Degree in Economics, Public Policy, or related advanced degree required.

Experience:

• 10 or more years of professional work experience, with significant exposure to international development research and implementation working across a diverse set of stakeholders.
• 5 or more years of working closely with executive management while also influencing across multiple levels and functions of an organization.
• 5 or more years of people management experience.
• Experience working under a university system, preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Advanced use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite (spreadsheets, slides, etc.); familiarity with statistical analysis packages and data visualization tools a plus.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to ensure understanding for a wide audience of stakeholders with varying technical ability.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite (spreadsheets, slides, etc.); familiarity with statistical analysis packages and data visualization tools a plus.
• Highly organized with excellent project management skills and the ability to anticipate needs before they arise.
• Comfortable navigating situations with varying degrees of ambiguity in an environment where priorities may shift often.
• Self-aware, perceptive, and empathetic, with high emotional intelligence and interpersonal savvy.
• Have unquestionable integrity, is committed to confidentiality, and exercises discretion.
• Mission-driven; passionate about Development Innovation Lab and the constituencies it serves.
• Willingness to travel in the US and internationally up to 10% of the time.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page in the section titled Resume/CV of the application.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

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

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