Senior Executive Director of the Urban Education Institute at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



University of Chicago Urban Education Institute



About the Department



The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, & Practice (Crown Family School) builds upon a legacy of more than a century of scholarship, education and leadership in social work and social welfare, blending a distinctive interdisciplinary tradition with applied problem-solving to foster innovative solutions to some of society's most pressing social problems. For more information about the Crown School, please visit our website at: https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.


The University of Chicago Crown Family School is the academic home to the Urban Education Institute (UEI), an internationally and nationally renowned institute addressing educational inequality in urban communities by conducting rigorous research, informing evidence-based policies, and implementing innovative practices to promote educational equity and excellence.



Job Summary



Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Senior Executive Director (SED) plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of UEI. The SED will ensure efficient operations and collaboration across teams within UEI, providing oversight of all aspects of the Institute's administrative functions.


This senior leadership role will partner with the UEI Faculty Director to conceptualize a strategic vision that encapsulates UEI's objectives. Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture that supports the mission, vision and values of UEI. The SED will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic plans that ensure UEI leadership and staff act in concert with the vision and long-range objectives.


The SED will work closely with local, state and national education leaders, community partners, schools, school districts, non-profits, media, and funders. In partnership with the Faculty Director and other leaders, the SED will work to advance strategic priorities and ensure continuity of funding.


The ideal candidate will be innovative, intellectually curious, and a collaborative leader with experience in urban education or a related area. Strong candidates will have deep familiarity with educational leaders throughout the City of Chicago, a strong foundation in policy and practice research, and familiarity with higher education institutions. The ideal candidate will have experience disseminating the results of research to various audiences.



Responsibilities

• Oversight of all aspects of the Institute's administrative functions
  
  


• Partner with the Faculty Director and senior leaders to set strategic priorities for the Institute.
  
  


• Develop and articulate a compelling vision and strategic plan for UEI.
  
  


• Cultivate strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders in Chicago and nationally to advance UEI's mission.
  
  


• Represent UEI with educational leaders, policymakers, non-profit partners, and funders.
  
  


• Support development and execution of a fundraising strategy for UEI, including the cultivation of individual donors, institutional philanthropy, foundations, and corporate philanthropy.
  
  


• Collaborate with the Crown Family School's Communication team to ensure UEI is effectively and proactively represented to external stakeholders and to enhance the institute's reputation as a national leader in urban education research. Provide guidance on specific communication needs, including press releases, website content, and newsletters.
  
  


• Partner with Crown Family School's Alumni Relations and Development team and Office of Community Partnership and Impact
  
  


• Serve as a leading voice on urban education policy issues at the local, state, and national levels.
  
  


• Engage policymakers, thought leaders, and the media to raise awareness of key challenges and opportunities in urban education.
  
  


• In collaboration with the Faculty Director and UEI senior leadership, develop and manage the institute's annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities.
  
  


• Oversee administrative functions, including resource allocation and compliance with university policies and procedures.
  
  


• Ensure effective communications across teams through frequent check-ins and convenings with senior leadership on recurring and ad-hoc intervals.
  
  


• Foster a supportive and inclusive organizational culture that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  
  


• Serves as a liaison to academic departments, and administrative units of the University.
  
  


• Acts as a lead planner for a wide array of efforts led by UEI.
  
  


• Establishes Institute priorities, is responsible for the management of the Institute budget and executes strategic plans.
  
  


• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Master's degree in education, management/administration, sociology, or a closely related field.
  
  

Work Experience:

• Previous experience in urban education, grant-funded research organizations, and/or managing research projects strongly preferred.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated leader, visionary and strategic thinker with a commitment to advancing existing initiatives and championing new projects.
  
  


• Team player with ability to build consensus and to work through others in achieving desired results and objectives.
  
  


• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans in alignment with the organization's mission and objectives, in collaboration with an extraordinary team of senior leaders.
  
  


• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  
  


• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
  
  


• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.
  
  


• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and triage work to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
  
  


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
  
  


• Proven track record of effectively managing complex projects, budgets, and teams in a fast-paced environment.
  
  


• Deep commitment to educational equity and social justice, with a clear understanding of the structural inequities that impact urban communities.
  
  


• Ability to think strategically, anticipate emerging trends, and adapt to changing circumstances in the field of urban education.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule possible, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.
  
  


• Travel to external stakeholder sites as needed.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover letter (required)
  
  


• References (required)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family



Administration & Management



Role Impact



Individual Contributor



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



40



Benefits Eligible



Yes



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.


Staff 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.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


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.


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