Assistant Director, Academic Programs

Department

PME Education & Academic Programs Staff

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME's rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago's unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The PME is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next growth phase as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Programs, the Assistant Director oversees and ensures high-quality program delivery of the academic programs, course administration, records management, and student engagement. This will involve coordinating with administrators in the PME Dean of Students Office, the University of Chicago Registrar, The College, and Argonne National Laboratory. The Assistant Director works with the planning and implementation of key events and meetings, such as recruitment events, open houses, new student orientation, and admitted student weekends, to ensure that they are well organized and executed. They help to coordinate the hiring of tutors. Finally, the Assistant Director brings together academic program perspectives in joint matters related to undergraduate and graduate student admissions, recruitment, matriculation, funding, course selection, and career advancement.

Responsibilities

• Supports the work of the Program Directors and implements plans and priorities for the undergraduate and graduate programs. 
• Serves as the primary program administrator for the graduate and undergraduate programs, focused on developing positive and active working relationships with internal and external constituents at varying levels of leadership including, but not limited to, Alumni Relations and Development, Admissions and Career Advancement, the Registrar, the Bursar, University and Divisional Deans’ Offices, the College, Argonne National Laboratory, the Physical Sciences Division, the Biological Sciences Divisions, and others to facilitate synergies across departments related to programming, resolution of student questions and concerns, and other matters of common interest. 
• Serves as a liaison between the academic programs and the Office of the Dean of Students, in areas which include: student support, engagement events, registration, curricular engagement, and communications. 
• Serves on the planning and implementation committee of key events and meetings, such as recruitment events, open houses, new student orientation, and admitted student weekends. 
• Provides data analysis, updates, and regular reports on admission, enrollment, student academic progress, outcomes, and career trajectory of alumni, and other reports upon request from the Vice Dean of Education and Director of Academic Programs and EDI. 
• Oversees the recruitment and assignment of tutors and graders based on course needs, collaborating with Human Resources to ensure the positions are hired, onboarded and paid in a timely manner each quarter. 
• Manages and archives data related to course scheduling and course enrollments; communicates with the Registrar regarding course implementation, including in the initial implementation of the schedule for classes, proofing the class schedule, and updating course enrollment capacities. 
• Assists with the annual review of the course catalog and implements updates for the undergraduate and graduate programs. 
• Monitors course registration and addresses registration issues, both at the student level and at the course level. 
• Coordinates basic academic advising to graduate students about course selection, academic program expectations, and navigating the overall curriculum. 
• Maintains records of faculty membership in assigned academic program(s) and thematic education areas. 
• Supports visiting instructor appointments in coordination with Program Directors, ensuring alignment with academic needs, course offerings, and PME’s strategic goals. Manages the onboarding process, scheduling, and necessary resources to facilitate a smooth transition for visiting instructors.
• Works with the Director of Career Development to support PME career placement and alumni networking activities for students including career fairs, career development workshops, and alumni events. 
• Maintains student manuals for graduate programs. 
• Solves problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development.
• Recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students. 
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in higher education, student development, student affairs, physical sciences, or engineering is a plus.

Experience:

• Working in student affairs administration in a college or university, preferably in a research setting. Knowledge of the University of Chicago is a plus. 

Preferred Competencies

• Proven experience in identifying needs, proposing, and implementing solutions in administrative processes with sound judgment and capacity to balance competing goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including outstanding judgment, discretion, and a strong ethical approach to decision-making.   
• Demonstrating a high level of sensitivity and discretion when dealing with confidential situations and effectively communicating with faculty, students, and various administrative offices at all levels of the University.
• Independently and proactively resolve problems, ensure close attention to detail, demonstrate ability to prioritize work, and take appropriate actions without advanced approval. 
• Multi-task on frequent and constantly changing demands. 
• Manage large data sets and producing data analysis under tight deadlines. 
• Familiarity with the academic research enterprise and higher education structures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively and cultivate positive working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and the general public. 
• Demonstrated relationship management skills.
• Teamwork, collaboration, and conflict management skills. 
• Work independently and as part of a team, take direction and achieve consensus. 
• Excellent organizational, project management, and analytical skills. 
• Manage day-to-day duties with efficiency and coordinate multiple long-term projects effectively.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $78,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

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

 

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.

 

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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