Assistant Director, Science Programs

Department

Booth Polsky Center: Innovation Programs 2

About the Department

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. It aims to create entrepreneurial leaders through a broad range of experiences, including classroom learning, experiential learning, leading-edge research, and community outreach.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director is primarily responsible for managing a portfolio of student-facing programs and events, including but not limited to, the Polsky I-Corps program, Collaboratorium, Innovation Fund Associates Program, Commercialization Fellowship, Courses for Scientists, and Innovation Fellows program. In addition to their program portfolio, the Assistant Director will also act as a liaison to Polsky Center leadership and staff who serve the scientific community through other mechanisms including the technology commercialization and licensing team, faculty venture development, the Alchemist Chicago accelerator, the UChicago Science Incubator, and any new initiatives focused on science and technology.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of new and existing programs and events from program inception through completion, including I-Corps, Collaboratorium, Innovation Fund Associates, Commercialization Fellowship, Courses for Scientists, and Innovation Fellows.
• Oversees the promotion and application processes for initiatives in the science program portfolio, in close coordination with the Polsky marketing and communications team.
• Implements events throughout the year, including coordinating space, catering, and audio/visual, as well as communicating with and supporting event participants.
• Utilizes data to inform decision-making related to program execution and development, including development and delivery of program evaluation surveys.
• Works in close coordination with Polsky Center directors, program managers, and leadership to ensure coordination of programming with other Polsky Center initiatives and audiences.
• Mentors and counsels students, as appropriate, including referrals to relevant Polsky Center and campus ecosystem resources.
• Manages teambuilding processes to connect scientific and business talent across campus.
• Together with the Director, Science Programs and Student Engagement, works with Chicago Booth and scientific divisions, centers, and student groups to identify and plan events and initiatives catered to the student community to build Polsky Center awareness and engagement with the graduate and undergraduate student communities.
• Serves as a liaison to Polsky Center leadership and staff who support the scientific community through other mechanisms including technology commercialization and licensing, faculty venture development, the Alchemist Chicago accelerator, the UChicago Science Incubator, and any new initiatives focused on science and technology.
• As requested and where appropriate, assists with other initiatives and duties at the Polsky Center.
• Advises, supports, and recommends concepts for programming to leaders of various organizations and programs.
• Markets student activities programming throughout the year. Develops and implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of programs.
• 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:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Background advising or mentoring students and managing student-facing programs.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional event planning and project management skills and execute high-impact programming efficiently and effectively.
• Strong relationship management abilities, with experience working across diverse stakeholder groups, including students, faculty, and alumni.
• Strong analytical skills with experience collecting and using data to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.
• Work independently with little supervision, possess a self-motivated disposition, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong problem-solving and attention to detail.
• High level of organization and the ability to handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.
• Background in science or engineering or experience working with scientific/technical audiences.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a hybrid schedule.
• Travel between Hyde Park campus and downtown Gleacher Center. Please note that the position is based on the Hyde Park campus; 90% or more of time will be spent in Hyde Park.
• Travel domestically or internationally.
• Flexibility to occasionally work late or start early for Polsky Center events, as well as attend events on weekends.

Application Documents

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

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

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$55,000.00 - $65,000.00

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.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (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: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.