Director of Strategy, Academic Initiatives

Department

BFI - Administration

About the Department

Inspired by our namesakes, Nobel Laureates Gary Becker and Milton Friedman, who believed that economic research could help improve the world, the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. Rooted in core values of service, rigor, and innovation, BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global community.

Job Summary

The BFI Director of Strategy for Academic Initiatives, is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, and expansion of academic initiatives promoted by BFI beginning with the Master’s program in economics (MA Program). The Director will help to support and implement opportunities to expand the academic offerings in Economics, both domestically and internationally. This includes the MA Program as well as any designated sub-degrees, specializations, certificates, or other related credentials. Grounded in academic rigor and focused on practical impact, the proposed offerings align seamlessly with BFI’s mission and the University of Chicago’s legacy of bold, interdisciplinary thinking. This role includes close collaboration with faculty overseeing curriculum development, student recruitment and support, faculty hire/coordination, budgeting, and program marketing. The Director ensures that the program meets UChicago standards, aligns with institutional goals, and provides students with a world-class education in economics.

In addition, this leader works closely with the Dean of Students and the Associate Deans of Admissions, Academic and Faculty Services, Career Services, and Student Life, within the Social Sciences Division as well as the Chair of the Economics Department to set the direction and tone for designated academic initiatives. The Director participates actively in the overall leadership, serving as the day-to-day face of these initiatives for donors, supporters, as well as prospective and current students. The Director manages a small, dedicated team within BFI who support the expansion of these academic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develops strategic management plans for the expansion of the MA Program and leads execution for the ongoing success of other designated initiatives, working in close collaboration with the Director and Executive Director of BFI, SSD Deans and Associate Deans, and Chair of the Economics Department. Visible to students, faculty, and other program administrators as the primary contact for all matters related to associated initiatives on strategies for growth and development.
• Proposes and provides strategies for a new suite of academic and professional programs designed to train students in rigorous applied economics, policy and data science.
• Proposes and provides strategies for new international programs abroad over the next 2-5 years, including developing collaborations and partnerships with governments and international institutions to provide local programming to international students both onsite and abroad.
• Manages a small team of staff members who provide essential services to ensure success.
• Executes and delivers the approved programs using practical considerations for launching, managing and scaling the programs in a phased and sustainable manner.
• Pilots then scales for expansion.
• Provides start-up strategies and oversite of dedicated administrative team to coordinate program delivery.
• Establishes and advances networking with partners for student placement including, collaborations with government agencies, international institutions, and private sector partners; placement support through career services, internships, and alumni networks, such as SSD Partners; and applied projects with real-world stakeholders embedded in program design, connecting students to faculty.
• Responsible for risk and mitigation of faculty capacity constraints, differentiation from existing programs, and enrollment.
• Supports faculty assessment of curriculum, providing data, convening meetings, and supporting the academic success of the students.
• Stays abreast of relevant worldwide business, alumni, and trends and issues, and has a deep understanding of the student experience at UChicago.
• Maintains and develops partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including industry leaders, alumni, and academic institutions.
• Ensures continuous improvement and quality assurance through regular assessments and feedback mechanisms.
• Serves as a champion for the academic programs to promote admissions efforts and grows the program while maintaining high quality academic standards. This may include participating in information sessions or recruiting events, as well as coordinating post-admissions career engagement. Well-versed in the admissions process and timeline.
• Oversight of all events and promotion of the designated initiatives, with the aim of identifying and targeting prospective students through online platforms, and university events.
• Leads student recruitment efforts to attract diverse and high-caliber applicants to the program.
• Advises and supports students academically and professionally, including facilitating internships, research opportunities, and career placement.
• Fosters a positive, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment for students.
• Develops and implements strategies for student engagement, retention, and success throughout their academic journey.
• Manages financial reporting and budgets to provide accurate accounting for expenses and revenue for BFI Director, Economics Chair, and SSD Dean, including forecasting expenses, allocating resources, and ensuring efficient use of financial assets.
• Works with University administration to ensure adequate resources are available to support faculty, students, and program needs.
• Represents designated initiatives in internal and external forums, including academic conferences, alumni events, and recruitment activities.
• Collaborates with the marketing teams across the University to develop materials and strategies to promote the program and increase visibility.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key employers, organizations, and academic partners to support student placement and internships.
• Manages professional staff by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing performance, and recommending individual merit and/or promotional increases.      
• Provides leadership for a broad range of services and programs to enrich the overall student experience and to assist and support students across the University with their academic, career, and personal development.
• Provides specialized professional expertise in program management. Implements plans for educational programs and initiatives and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants.
• Plans and develops program objectives and/or content. Researches and identifies trends and needs and establishes program directions accordingly.
• 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.
• MA or MBA degree.

Experience:

• A minimum ten years of work experience in related job discipline in academic setting of similar size and scope.
• A minimum three years of experience working with students within a university environment.
• Managing and leading teams of at least three people.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, problem-solving, decision-making, client service, and cross-department collaboration skills.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills. Meet multiple external and internal deadlines.
• Proven ability to design and create programming.
• Proven ability to create and track systems to report progress.
• History of effective collaboration with colleagues.
• Work effectively both with minimal supervision and as part of a work team.
• Understand the priorities and goals of the school.
• Proven ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential information.

Working Conditions

• This position is expected to work in the office.
• Work in person at the Becker Friedman Center on campus in Hyde Park.
• Work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Hold Zoom meetings with stakeholders in the US and internationally.
• International and domestic travel.

Application Documents

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

Job Family

Administration & 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

$125,000.00 - $170,000.00

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.

 

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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.

 

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