Managing Director

Overview

About The Department PSD Chemistry:
Staff Leadership

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Chicago has a long history of excellence in research and teaching. The department hosts strong programs across inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, with interdisciplinary work spanning biology, physics, and materials science. The department is a community of over 500 faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff. Our academic support group administers graduate and undergraduate programs, including 60 undergraduate Chemistry majors and nearly 300 graduate students.

Close student–faculty interactions have characterized the department for over a century.

Job Summary

The Managing Director oversees all aspects of the administration of the Department of Chemistry, managing a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of the department’s research and education mission. The role communicates and collaborates with internal and external partners and divisional/University leadership to achieve strategic priorities, identifies new external partners to advance those priorities, sets standards for staff/faculty interactions, and helps ensure the department meets financial targets.

• Serves as the most senior staff leader within the Department of Chemistry, working closely with the Department Chair to set administrative and operational goals and implement strategic plans.
• Acts as primary department liaison with Division on matters of budget, space, facilities, human resources, and development.
• Manages the daily operations of the department.
• Oversees and manages the work of at least 5 administrative staff.
• Oversees departmental facilities, and the operations, allocation, and movement of research and office space.
• Direct management of the department operating account. Advises Chair and liaises with the Local Business Center on business and financial functions.
• Supervises departmental staff to meet HR needs, including oversight of training, reviews, performance management, and termination of staff.
• Directs the work of departmental staff to ensure the appointment of postdocs and visiting scholars operates smoothly.
• Allocates faculty and department support staff from the administrative pool.
• Works closely with faculty, staff, and other campus leaders to assure the department’s effective functioning.
• Oversees the Building Manager’s work to ensure proper functioning of classrooms, teaching labs, and the academic mission.
• Works with the Chair and Faculty Affairs Administrator on faculty recruitment and retention, such as laboratory and office set-ups.
• Works with the Chair and Department Instrumentation Committee to assure proper functioning of departmental core facilities (instrumentation, staff, and recharge rates).
• Oversees the department’s internal and external communications, department events, and alumni relations.
• Works with the Chair and EDI committee on department diversity initiatives and training.
• Coordinates with Environment Health & Safety, PSD Laboratory Safety Specialist, Safety Committee, and research group safety representatives to ensure safety compliance and safe operation of research and teaching labs.
• Troubleshoots a range of complex problems for the department in collaboration with central offices.
• Manages the daily operations of an organizational unit or assists with managing the daily operations of a larger unit, focusing on financial, purchasing, grant, facilities, HR, and support services management; ensures staff compliance with policies.
• Manages all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement. Oversees facilities management, including renovations, moves, maintenance, and ongoing operations. Manages development of contracts with vendors and other institutions.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field.

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