The University of Chicago

Department

University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

About the Department

Policy with real impact doesn’t evolve from ideology or intuition, or even experience. At the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy developing effective public policy is a science, based on data and measurable impact.

Addressing today’s interconnected, global challenges requires rigorous inquiry. It also requires innovative people who will face the facts, gather data, and understand why current policies exist to improve them.

For more than thirty years, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy has been steadfastly committed to serving society by advancing analysis- and evidence-informed policy. Guided by this exacting mission, our community of 60 tenure-track scholars, more than 1,200 students, and more than 6,000 alumni from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors are taking on the world’s most important problems by using the latest tools of social science.

The second-largest professional school at the University of Chicago and home to one of its largest undergraduate majors, Harris Public Policy offers a full range of degree and executive education programs that empower serious-minded and aspiring leaders from more than 40 countries each year. Harris is the academic home to 20 research centers, institutes, and labs that study and engage with the public on areas such as conflict, democracy and effective government, economic and political development, education, energy and environment, health, municipal finance, public safety, social policy, and urban policy.

Job Summary

The Chief of Staff and Assistant Dean for Academic Appointments and Faculty Affairs, reporting to the Dean, provides strategic leadership, organizational support, and operational oversight for academic appointments and faculty affairs. This role supports the Dean, Deputy Deans, and the Administrative Leadership Group (ALG) in executing institutional priorities and faculty-related processes. The position plays a critical role in planning, faculty lifecycle management, and cultivating a culture of inclusion and operational excellence across the school.

Responsibilities

• Organizational Strategy, Leadership Support, and Planning (50%):
• Lead and manage the Dean’s Office staff, ensuring efficient operations, fostering a collaborative team culture, and aligning administrative support with the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Lead and manage the school’s multi-year strategic and annual planning processes; define organizational priorities, goals, and metrics.
• Partner with the Dean and ALG to advance key initiatives and execute special projects.
• Coordinate internal communications from the Dean and senior leadership.
• Plan and facilitate effective All-Staff, Leadership, and Management Team meetings.
• Implement inclusive decision-making frameworks and lead change management efforts.
• Analyze current administrative structures and recommend improvements to advance institutional goals.
• Manage staff and leadership transitions or projects without a defined home.
• Serve as a liaison with key University stakeholders.
• Represent the School in University forums on academic appointments and policy changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Academic Appointments and Faculty Affairs (40%):
• Oversee all academic appointment processes, including recruitment, onboarding, review, reappointment, promotion, and separation for Faculty and Other Academic Appointees (OAAs).
• Advise departments on appointment classifications, search processes, and compliance with University policies and best practices.
• Ensure the procedural integrity of academic reviews and provide quality control over case preparation and approval.
• Coordinate directly with the Provost’s Office on academic affairs and manage requests, exceptions, and complex cases.
• Train departmental administrators on academic policies and conduct ongoing professional development.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of appointments, affiliations, and administrative roles.
• Support international hires through visa coordination and onboarding.
• Manage payroll, benefits, and HR actions for academic employees in collaboration with central offices.
• Guide Deputy Deans and search committees through hiring processes and policy compliance.
• Develop appointment letters, memos, and communication templates; manage correspondence with the Provost’s Office.
• Maintain academic job postings, advertisements, dossier preparation, and other written appointment materials.
• Lead onboarding efforts and coordinate logistics for new faculty arrivals.
• Draft and review faculty communications; support initiatives related to faculty development, workshops, and mentorship.
• Oversee and manage Associate Director of Academic Appointments and Faculty Affairs
• Work with Employer Labor Relations on academic union related matters.
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
• Faculty Administrative Support Oversight (10%):
• Supervise and manage a team of faculty administrative assistants.
• Assign assistants to faculty and lecturers based on workload and departmental needs.
• Hold weekly check-ins to assess progress and align support with faculty priorities.
• Implements University objectives, as well as long-term strategic plans respective to the department's focus.
• Manages and is accountable for financial objectives of the department.
• Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Ensures the communication and collaboration with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations/information with absolute discretion.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to review and prioritize work.
• Flexibility to take initiative and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain calm and courteous demeanor while working productively despite heavy workload, competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (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

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

$120,000.00 - $150,000.00

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.

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