Chief of Staff and Culture

Department

UL Inclusive Economy Lab

About the Department

Founded in 2015, The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab conducts rigorous research that expands economic opportunity for people harmed by discrimination, disinvestment, and segregation. One of the five Urban Labs based at The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, the Inclusive Economy Lab is led by Pritzker Director Marianne Bertrand, Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Job Summary

The Inclusive Economy Lab (IEL) is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and equity-minded leader to serve as the Chief of Staff and Culture. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional judgment, interpersonal skills, and analytical orientation. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief of Staff will serve as a critical partner in supporting the organization as it grows to achieve its goals. This individual will oversee our organization's multi-year strategic and annual planning processes, identify and implement our organization's learning agenda and strategy, develop an approach to staff engagement that is strategic and inclusive, develop and execute initiatives that advance our organization's DEIA and racial equity vision and strategy, and ensure the effectiveness of our leadership team as we grow and deepen our impact as an organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a staff engagement strategy that fosters a culture that balances rigor and excellence with joy, celebration, and belonging.
• Develop and build relationships with University stakeholders for increased efficiency and visibility of the Lab's work.
• Supervise and support the Operations Team with projects related to communications, data security, development, employee relations, and finance.
• Develop and implement processes and practices for inclusive decision making and change management.
• Oversee the execution of effective All Staff, Leadership Team, and Management Team meetings.
• Support the implementation of new budgeting, time-tracking, and project management tools.
• Review current practices and policies, assessing and analyzing the extent to which they support or hinder the organization's goals.
• Implement and execute organizational multi-year strategic and annual planning processes to identify organizational priorities, goals, and metrics.
• Provide support to the ED and other Leadership team members to execute critical organizational initiatives and special projects as needed.
• Develop and refine the organizational operating model to support a growing team and execution of initiatives.
• Manage unexpected projects/leadership vacancies that emerge that do not have a "home".
• Implement University objectives, as well as long-term strategic plans respective to the department's focus.
• Manage and be accountable for financial objectives of the department.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

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

Work Experience:

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• 7+ years leadership experience in a for-profit, nonprofit, government agency, or consulting firm.
• Proven track record of developing effective partnerships and collaborations across stakeholders and interests.
• Direct experience developing and leading the strategic plans or successfully supporting large scale change efforts.
• A track record of generating creative, innovative solutions to problems, with human-centered design experience is a plus.
• Strong creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong collaboration and influence skills.
• Excellent people and project management skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfort with ambiguity and enjoys creating structure.
• Ability to take initiative, manage priorities, and work independently.
• Experience and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Preferred Competencies

• Research, evaluation, and results focused.
• Collaboration.
• Manages execution.
• Accountability.
• Adaptability/innovation.
• Trauma-informed & equity-centered perspective.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (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.

Accommodation

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.

Background Check

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.