Assistant Director, Career Advising and Medical School Communications at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



BSD PSM - Student Programs



About the Department



At the University of Chicago, in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary scholarship and discovery, the Pritzker School of Medicine is dedicated to inspiring diverse students of exceptional promise to become leaders and innovators in science and medicine for the betterment of humanity.


The Pritzker School of Medicine is a private professional school within the University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Division (BSD), where faculty are appointed and departments are located, and is affiliated with the University of Chicago Medicine academic health system.


In our size, geographic location, and organizational structure, in the diversity of our student body and the strong bonds of our community, the Pritzker School of Medicine offers a unique environment for medical education. Pritzker is one of few medical schools to be located physically on its University campus, offering both intellectual and social advantages to students who spend their medical school years within a vibrant, multidisciplinary community. Most importantly, the opportunity for collaborative research and study is outstanding: all divisions of the University and its professional schools are located within steps of the hospital, as are the extensive biological and physical sciences research laboratories, thus providing a rich array of opportunities for our medical students.



Job Summary



Provide oversight of key programs and initiatives related to career advising and medical school communications for the Pritzker School of Medicine. Support faculty leaders developing programs in these areas, including the Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Dean for Medical Education, and the faculty Career Advisors. Provide staff leadership for the execution of the fourth-year student residency application process, including oversight of the regular Career Advising class meetings, production of the Medical School Performance Evaluation letter for each graduating student, completion of residency applications with students, and management of various application services. Provide evaluation and assessment of the four-year career advising curriculum and develop and implement new innovations. Lead other key initiatives in the medical school, including the Alpha Omega Alpha selection process and program, Holistic Review process, Honors & Awards program, and other programs. Provide strategic oversight of communications for the Pritzker School of Medicine. Manage the Medical School's communications for students and faculty, including serving as a liaison to BSD marketing and communications initiatives, drafting internal and external communications, supporting scholarship and award applications, and providing oversight for the effectiveness of the Pritzker website, including reviewing content and organization for effectiveness ease of use for all audiences. Write and regularly update stories, announcements, and press releases on the Pritzker website. Develop and execute broad communications strategy for medical school.



Responsibilities



Career Advising

• Serve as the staff leader for the Pritzker School of Medicine's career advising program. Provide support to the Dean of Students, the Director of Medical Student Performance Evaluation, and 8 faculty Career Advisors in organizing, implementing, and evaluating programs and activities to support medical student career exploration. Implement career development content into formal and informal curricula (class meetings, orientations, student groups, etc.) throughout the course of the four-year medical school educational program. Develop resources to support students' career exploration and residency application process. Organize panels, workshops, and individual career exploration interventions. Coordinate the activities of 8 Faculty Career Advisors in working with all MS4 students in the Match. Recommend process improvements for programs that support thesuccessful management of career advising.
  
  


• Monitor changes in residency application policies and processes nationally to propose and help lead theimplementation of the Pritzker response to these changes. Support theDean of Students in developing and executing match strategy, with attention to national developments and trends in residency application to ensure thesuccessful outcome of the match process.
  
  


• Manage and expand technology to support these processes, including working with the AAMC CiM program, the homegrown residency outcome database, the Electronic Residency Application Service, the National Medical Ranking Program interface, and additional emerging residency application platforms. Liaise with these programs as necessary and monitor changes and updates to them to keep career advising faculty, staff, and students informed.
  
  


• Identify students or groups of students at risk in the career advising and residency application process, then propose and help lead theimplementation of the Pritzker response to these concerns. Through email and meetings, provide advice and assistance to individual students regarding optimization of their career planning and residency application (ex. CV, ERAS application).
  
  

Student Holistic Review

• Manage the development of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) for all graduating medical students. Work with the MSPE Faculty Director, members of the Medical School Education staff, Central Support, and Faculty Directors of the required clerkships to enhance existing processes and technology to ensure the accuracy of all clinical evaluations, andreporting of medical students' extracurricular activities.
  
  


• Lead annual Holistic Review process to evaluate graduating students' achievement in clinical curriculum, institutional and community service, leadership, and scholarship. Continually review and improve processes to ensure fairness and alignment with evolving medical school dynamics and emergent trends.
  
  


• Oversee and execute processes and procedures to recognize medical student accomplishments (AOA, Graduation Honors & Awards, etc.) to ensure fair processes and transparency. Implement process improvements for these programs to enhance wellness, increase equity, support an inclusive learning community, and promote transparency and clarity in awards processes.
  
  


• Support the creation of letters of reference from the DFME and Dean of Students supporting student applications to joint degree programs, internal and external awards, scholarships, and other opportunities and institutional applications for awards.
  
  

Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of communications (e.g., Dean for Medical Education and senior leadership communications; social media; Across the Continuum newsletter) for the Pritzker School of Medicine. Develop acomprehensive communications strategy for theSchool, including strategic objectives and plan for each digital communication platform/channel (e.g., LinkedIn, website, Instagram) and schedule of key internal communications. Oversee theschool's communication and publications for external and internal audiences. Serve as the main grant writer for the Medical School, seeking opportunities to enhance support for PSOM programs. Provide oversight for the effectiveness of the Pritzker website, including reviewing content and organization for purpose, effectiveness, and ease of use for all audiences. Write and update stories, announcements, and press releases on the Pritzker website.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Designs, implements and maintains student academic and administrative policies. Translates specialized knowledge of academic functions to complicated advising matters. Has a deep understanding of the activities of Study Abroad/ International Programs and functions for the University's graduate and undergraduate programs.
  
  


• Manages on-boarding efforts related to coursework and academic planning delivered through various channels and on-line tools. Works mostly independently to facilitate graduation-related functions related to academic and degree requirements.
  
  


• 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 5-7 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 a related field.
  
  

Experience:

• Experience in supervising and mentoring teams in an academic or healthcare setting.
  
  


• Extensive experience working with confidential and sensitive information, particularly in environments involving faculty, students, and staff.
  
  


• Experience in website development, social media strategy, and brand management, with a proven ability to create and maintain dynamic, user-centered websites and digital platforms.
  
  


• Proven track record in event development, planning, and management, including large-scale, high-profile events. Demonstrated ability to oversee all aspects of event execution, from concept to completion, ensuring seamless coordination, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with organizational objectives.
  
  

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Expertise in website management, including the ability to quickly adapt to and master new technologies, platforms, and tools to enhance digital engagement and user experience.
  
  


• Strong command of word processing, data analysis, and spreadsheet programs (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and related tools), with demonstrated ability to utilize these applications for advanced reporting and data visualization.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional professional and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and effectively supervise others while fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
  
  


• Demonstrated sound judgment, tact, and discretion in managing confidential and sensitive matters involving faculty, students, and administrative staff.
  
  


• A proven record of independent decision-making and exemplary professional judgment, consistently driving high-impact outcomes.
  
  


• Outstanding written communication skills, coupled with superior personal judgment and discretion, and strong organizational expertise, ensuring timely and impactful communications.
  
  


• Mastery in delivering compelling presentations, with a demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences and convey complex ideas effectively.
  
  


• Proven ability to consistently set and maintain the highest standards of productivity, thriving in high-pressure, fast-paced environments while meeting critical deadlines.
  
  


• A meticulous attention to detail, paired with excellent prioritization skills, to manage complex workflows and multiple projects with precision and efficiency.
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively as a key member of cross-functional teams, including faculty and administrative staff, ensuring alignment and shared success.
  
  


• Exceptional capacity for critical and strategic thinking, regularly identifying innovative solutions and driving continuous improvement.
  
  


• Proven track record of maintaining excellence in productivity standards, with the ability to balance competing priorities in dynamic, high-demand environments.
  
  


• Impeccable attention to detail and accuracy, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects, set strategic priorities, and meet deadlines consistently.
  
  


• Demonstrated professionalism and responsiveness in interactions with all stakeholders, ensuring the highest level of service and engagement.
  
  


• Strong ability to work collaboratively with faculty and senior leadership in a matrixed organizational structure, promoting seamless coordination across departments.
  
  


• Unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical standards in all interactions with faculty, staff, and students, fostering a culture of trust and respect.
  
  


• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills, consistently enhancing stakeholder engagement and team collaboration.
  
  


• Excellent organizational abilities, coupled with a high degree of self-motivation, ensuring proactive management of responsibilities and deadlines.
  
  


• Proven ability to work independently, while excelling in multidisciplinary teams to achieve organizational goals.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
  
  


• This position requires some evening and weekend responsibilities.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover Letter (preferred)
  
  

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



Job Family



Student Affairs & Services



Role Impact



Individual Contributor



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



37.5



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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