Senior Director of Strategic AI Initiatives and Operations

Department
PSD Data Science Staff

About the Department
The Data Science Institute (DSI) executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. The DSI seeds research on the interdisciplinary frontiers of this emerging field, forms partnerships with industry, government, and social impact organizations, and supports holistic data science education. The mission of DSI is to address important scientific and societal questions through coordinated advances in applications, models, algorithms, and platforms. To execute this goal, we engage in research, education, and outreach efforts. The Data Science Institute partners with the UChicago Department of Computer Science and the UChicago Department of Statistics, and is co-located with UChicago CS in the John Crerar Library Building. DSI is also part of an ambitious, multi-year expansion of computer and data science efforts at the University of Chicago.

Job Summary
We are seeking a highly organized, adaptable, and proactive Senior Director of Strategic AI Initiatives and Operations to join our team. The ideal candidate will convene people around operational tasks and strategic initiatives, ensuring the execution of processes they helped develop. Their goal will be to help move a portfolio of cutting-edge programs forward while ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly. Their duties will cover facilitating new strategic initiatives and fundraising, program and project management, and day-to-day operations. A successful candidate will be a forward-thinking professional with a passion for advancing innovative programs and ensuring operational excellence.

Responsibilities

1. Identify and research opportunities for strategic partnerships with internal and external entities.
2. Draft slides, reports, and emails for key audiences, including potential donors, sponsors, government officials, and University administration.
3. Develop and utilize metrics and report to advise current and future state initiatives.
4. Coordinate with faculty, communications, event planning, and fundraising stakeholders to develop and advance strategies that elevate Artificial Intelligence (AI) priorities.
5. Proactively coordinate large events, communications campaigns, and fundraising drives.
6. Create and oversee processes for routine updates for public-facing channels such as websites, social media, news, and promotional materials.
7. Develop and manage the internal process for proposal development and submission, ensuring Principal Investigator (PI) and research administrator buy-in.
8. Enhance file sharing and communication among team members and external partners.
9. Serve as a thought and writing partner for PI in early-stage proposal submission development, including vision and thematic development, drafting, and editing.
10. Integrate all proposal components, incorporating feedback from reviewers and ensuring alignment with sponsor criteria.
11. Draft templates and guidance for management, data sharing, facilities, mentorship, and other operational proposal components.
12. Create top-level budgets to guide PI/Co-PI in determining budget requests and division between project components and institutions.
13. Provide in-depth editing and writing support throughout the proposal development process.
14. Lead other staff members and stakeholders on strategic initiatives, overseeing project delivery and execution. Share supervisory responsibility (i.e., “dotted line reports”) for relevant program directors.
15. Develop and implement processes for trainee recruitment and professional development programming.
16. Create and manage coordination strategies for professional development and training programs.
17. Identify funding sources for professional development and education programming and guide the development of funding applications.
18. Provide guidance on advertising, application processes, staffing, and website management.
19. Oversee and guide the planning and implementation of large events, including public lectures, conferences, workshops, and bootcamps.
20. Manage public communications, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across social media, news, websites, and email campaigns.
21. Develop and execute processes for timely reporting on large-scale grants, projects, and strategic initiatives.
22. Oversee and provide direction on research project management.
23. Coordinate with pre-award and post-award financial managers and Business Associates on receipts and reimbursements.
24. Manages program operations and administrative functions to include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
25. Recommends program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
26. Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
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.

Certifications:
-

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Project Management, or a related discipline).

Experience:

1. Seven years of working experience in consulting, startups or a similar fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
2. Proven ability to manage large, complex projects, including budgets, and guide large cross-functional teams.
3. Successful track record in grantsmanship, manuscript preparation, or publications, with strong relationships with academic researchers, government entities, and external partnerships.
4. Familiarity with academic environments, large bureaucracies, and experience working with interdisciplinary research teams, federal and non-federal agencies, and community stakeholders to drive project success.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

1. Proficiency in various collaboration tools, such as Google Docs, Slack, and Overleaf.
2. Practical project management skills, including managing across functional teams.
3. Ability to craft an initial budget, fine-tune according to input.
4. Track project progress against budget and projected spend.
5. Reporting and issuing alerts.

Preferred Competencies

1. Self-managing and capable of working independently.
2. Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to excellence.
3. Strong ability to manage uncertainty and develop effective solutions.
4. Expertise in project planning and management, including crafting and adapting multiparty work plans.
5. Proficient in crafting and adapting multiparty work plans.
6. Demonstrated ability to meet tight deadlines and handle fast turnaround times.
7. Skilled in tracking tasks and ensuring their completion.
8. Effective in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
9. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
10. Superior organizational skills and expert problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Working Conditions

1. In-person, with an option for one day per week of remote work after an acclimation period.

Application Documents

1. Resume (required)
2. Cover letter (preferred)
3. References (3)(required)

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

Job Family
Administration & Management

Role Impact
People Manager

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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