Building and Operations Manager

Department

PSD Data Science Staff

About the Department

The Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago was established to support the development of emerging efforts in data science across the University. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University's deans and department chairs, the Data Science Institute provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.

Job Summary

The Building and Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day facilities operation functions of the Data Science Institute (DSI) and ensures that key issues are proactively addressed. The incumbent performs a range of professional activities in support of the research, partnerships, and education related programs and projects. Reporting to the DSI Chief of Staff, the Building and Operations Manager works to meet the needs of the DSI and to ensure effective and efficient departmental operations and advance DSI priorities. This position provides professional support for a broad range of business operations and academic activities.

Responsibilities

• Manages the Institute’s daily operations and performs ongoing assessment of office organization and function, identifies operational deficiencies, recommends and implements solutions.
• Manages day-to-day facility issues and monitors the overall environment.
• Serves as the primary liaison with University departments such as Facilities Services, Police, Risk Management, Parking, Environmental Health and Safety, and Security Systems and manages the relationship with custodial services to assure unit needs are met.
• Provides project management and strategic support for the Chief of Staff and Executive Director; tracks high-priority projects and activities related to facilities issues, HR/staffing, and operations.
• Ensures and conducts regular inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems.
• Maintains building floor plans, construction documents, space utilization data, and equipment inventory for all DSI buildings.
• Develops short- and long-range plans for facility development, maintenance and expansion to support the needs and goals of the DSI.
• Manages the room management software system in both an end user and administrator role.
• Maintains space usage database and coordinates with leadership on the assignment of space and future space planning.
• Communicates critical project updates that require escalation and prepares high-level briefings, reports, and presentations for DSI leadership.
• Supervises temporary employees and department administrative staff (1 FTE).
• Manages various HR activities for staff employees, including time and attendance, payroll, as well as employee and labor relations.
• Trains office staff on office procedures.
• May be asked to assist with managing capital projects and/or building improvements, including new construction and renovation, and other facilities-related projects.
• Oversees keys and local card reader access to faculty, students, and staff, and maintains distribution records.
• Manages shipping and receiving operations, dock management, as well as future business center functions as needed and requested.
• Serves as a key resource for program information and resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, faculty, University administrators, or other contingencies.
• Manages Emergency Planning and Preparedness efforts, including fire alarms and drills.
• Manages operational budgets and provides Chief of Staff with regular updates, ensuring spending limits are adhered to and are within budget.
• Works mostly independently to create and proactively maintain partnerships with clients, internal and third party service providers and other University partners in an assigned campus area.
• Uses depth of knowledge in clients' business to develop strategies to add organizational value and to minimize the adverse impact of facilities activities.
• Proactively identifies substandard conditions and services and recommends corrective actions.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Background working in higher education.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

• Highly-motivated, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic professional who has proven project management experience and enjoys working in a collaborative and deadline-driven environment.
• Versatile and action-oriented.
• Work under pressure on competing responsibilities with resilience, discretion and diplomacy.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion.
• Manage interpersonal relationships and interact/communicate with clarity, tact and courtesy with faculty, staff, students, and others.
• Multitask and deal calmly and patiently through urgent tasks.
• Excellent verbal, written, and proactive communication skills.
• Good problem-solving skills, with a priority to safety, and a focus on research integrity, faculty needs, and University mission.

Working Conditions

• This position is in-office 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. 
• Regular business hours are expected, with occasional early morning, evening, and weekend hours. 
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Take calls on nights and weekends for urgent building related matters. 
• Given the nature of the role, heavy objects may need to be lifted in excess of 25lbs.
• Significant movement, walking, bending, kneeling, and crawling are necessary.

Application Documents

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

Job Family

Facilities Management

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

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00

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.