Chicago, IL, USA
10 hours ago
Director, Science Programs and Student Engagement

Department

Booth Polsky Center: Innovation Programs


About the Department

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UChicago’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.


Job Summary

The Director, Science Programs and Student Engagement is a leadership role on the Booth Entrepreneurship Program team at the Polsky Center. It serves as an important liaison to the Polsky Center’s Technology Ventures team, bridging science student programming and science commercialization efforts. The role oversees a portfolio of science programs, manages an NSF grant, and supervises a full-time staff member. The position interacts with a diverse set of students, faculty, researchers, post-doctoral researchers and members of the national laboratories and plays a critical function connecting all members of the University community.

Responsibilities

Leads a robust portfolio of new and existing science programs and events, including I-Corps, Collaboratorium, Innovation Fund Associates, Courses for Scientists, and additional initiatives focused on innovation and research commercialization.Manages the Polsky Center’s National Science Foundation I-Corps grant, including conducting annual grant reporting and representing the University of Chicago at the I-Corps Hub.Serves as a liaison to the Polsky Center’s Technology Ventures team, attending relevant meetings with that unit and building strong connections between science commercialization efforts and student science programming.Manages a full-time staff member at the Associate Director level, working with them to successfully execute, augment, and grow areas of programming aligned with the Center’s strategic initiatives. Supervises the team member on event and program management, marketing efforts, fundraising, budgeting, and stewardship.In conjunction with Polsky Center leadership, creates and tracks strategic goals and metrics for the science program portfolio. Utilizes data to assess student and other constituent needs and engagement to evolve and develop impactful programs to meet the Center’s goals.Integrates all science programs with the Polsky Center’s larger organizational priorities.Together with Polsky Center leadership and relevant Alumni Relations and Development teams, leads and supports fundraising efforts for relevant Polsky Center initiatives, including developing fundraising proposals, building and managing relationships with donors, and stewarding gifts.Works together with the Polsky Center marketing team to build awareness of the Polsky Center’s science programs.Coaches and mentors students and startup teams participating in Polsky programs and connects them with relevant resources as needed.Works with scientific divisions, departments, centers, and student groups to identify and plan events catered to the scientific community to build Polsky Center awareness and engagement with faculty, students, and staff across the sciences.Coordinates with relevant schools and departments (Pritzker School of Molecular Engineer, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Pritzker School of Medicine, Social Sciences, etc.) to market programs and events as appropriate, identifies participants, and manages communication with cross campus constituents.Mentors and counsels students who express an interest in working with the faculty and researchers at the University and National Labs.Establishes strategic partnerships with internal and external organizations to provide constituents with best-in-class entrepreneurial opportunities and resources.Represents the Polsky Center at internal and external events.Manages the development of programming that creates student community, including summer activities, student leadership training, and other staff organized events.Provides staff management, resources, and training to organizations that create meaningful co-curricular and/or community service experiences 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree.Master’s degree.

Experience:

At least seven years of professional experience managing programs and/or events.Background working in higher education and/or with diverse university constituents.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Understanding of database management and architecture.

Preferred Competencies

Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.Proven ability to process large amounts of data and effectively streamline processes.Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-starter disposition; identify opportunities for improvement.High attention to detail, problem-solving and analytical skills.Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions and thrive in a fast-paced environment.Proven understanding of the Polsky Center and its goals.Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts; easily establish rapport and cultivate relationships with constituents both inside and outside of the organization.Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.Scientific background, education, training, or experience working closely with the scientific community.Comfort communicating with experts in biological and physical sciences.Familiarity and knowledge of the University of Chicago and its constituents.This position requires adept multi-tasking and task switching as well as communicate with diverse populations.

Working Conditions

Flexibility to occasionally work late or start early for Polsky Center events.This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

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

Student Affairs & Services


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

$85,000.00 - $120,000.00

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 Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

 

Staff 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

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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