Director, Academic Affairs

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The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV).

The BSD Office of Academic Affairs is part of the BSD Office of the Dean. OAA supports the lifecycle of academic appointees including searches, academic appointments, reappointment, promotions, tenure recommendations, leaves, departures and retirement. OAA also provides interpretation of academic criteria and supports academic policy development, among other roles. OAA works closely with divisional and departmental leaders and administrative staff, including the Office of Faculty Affairs, as well as with other administrative units on campus such as the Office of the Provost, Office of Legal Counsel, Staff Benefits, Payroll Office, and the Medical Staff Office to provide timely and complete guidance and support for BSD academic human resource management.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Division (BSD), Office of Academic Affairs, seeks a Director of Academic Affairs. This position will focus on managing compliant search, recruitment, and outreach efforts as well as offer case preparation for faculty and other academic appointees. They will also have responsibilities for the preparation, review, and submission of academic appointment cases, focused on other academic appointees (e.g. research appointees, pathways instructors, and visitors). The Director will partner with chairs, executive administrators, and academic affairs administrators not only to assist in anticipating issues and preemptively solving problems that may arise during academic review, but also to develop tools, standards, and practices that will streamline the recruitment and the human resources management of faculty and other academic appointees. The Director will facilitate communication between the Office of Academic Affairs and appointive units within the Division of the Biological Sciences on federal/state/University/Divisional statutes, policies, guidelines, and practices, including monitoring departmental compliance with the Division's Affirmative Action Plan.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of Academic Affairs functions to support compliant search, recruitment, and outreach efforts as well as offer case preparation for faculty and other academic appointees.
• Assumes comprehensive responsibility for the drafting, review, assembly, and submission of materials in support of divisional appointive actions, focused on other academic appointees, which includes research appointees, pathways instructors, and visitors.
• Serves as a resource to faculty, faculty administrative leaders, and administrators and staff on university policy and process matters and on BSD's academic guidelines. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
• Utilizes oral and written communication skills to promote and ensure efficient processing compliance.
• Contributes to process improvement as an advocate for clinical and basic science departments.
• Drafts correspondence on faculty and other academic appointee matters on behalf of the Dean or the designates.
• Facilitate submission of visa materials to the University's Office of International Affairs.
• Organizes and manages the divisional electronic files, databases, and website for efficiency and improved user experience.
• Gathers and analyzes data for possible solutions for issues related to appointees. Writes reports and expands knowledge and experience in areas.
• Conducts complex research and data gathering, such as internet research and survey; project planning; and implementation for a wide range of projects.
• Creates training and programming for faculty and chair development and recommends training and/or program improvements.
• Prepares and presents analyses, reports, and marketing materials to a wide variety of both internal and external audiences. May lead a variety of committees/teams and with a diverse array of colleagues and partners.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Education

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

Work Experience

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5-8 years of University administration, academic affairs, and/or HR experience.
• Prior experience with academic recruitment processes for faculty and other academic appointees.
• Prior experience with HR management systems, such as Workday, Interfolio, or similar, including data collection and process improvement.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; Adobe document management; Interfolio document management portal; and learn new technology.

Preferred Competencies

• Operational leadership skills and provide direct and indirect supervision of work.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Strong attention to detail, and manage multiple priorities and responsibilities effectively with limited guidance.
• Communicate University and divisional procedures and policy clearly and tactfully.
• Partner with different levels of the organization and across different functional areas to achieve desired results
• High degree of organization, follow-through, and project managements kills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

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

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, 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.

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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