Assistant Director, Operations

Department

Booth Rustandy Center: Inclusive Economy Lab

About the Department

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 61,000 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. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Operations serves as the primary administrator for the Rustandy Center's operational, financial, and administrative functions, supporting both the Center and the Inclusive Economy Lab. This role exercises independent judgment in managing contracts, procurement activities, vendor relationships, and operational processes to ensure compliance with University policies and alignment with Center priorities. The Assistant Director serves as a resource to staff and leadership, interpreting financial and administrative policies, advising stakeholders on University systems and procedures, developing and delivering training, and recommending solutions to operational challenges. The position oversees onboarding processes for staff and interns, identifies opportunities for process improvement, and partners with leadership on operational priorities and strategic initiatives. The Assistant Director also provides high-level operational support to the Executive Director and serves as a key liaison with University departments and external partners.
This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the Center's contract administration function, ensuring compliance with University requirements, evaluating contract terms for operational alignment, coordinating approvals, and monitoring contract execution and renewal activities.
• Directs vendor management and procurement activities, including evaluating service providers, recommending vendor selections, overseeing onboarding processes, and ensuring compliance with University policies and financial controls.
• Administers operational and financial processes supporting Center activities, monitoring expenditures, reviewing financial transactions for policy and budgetary compliance, identifying issues, and recommending appropriate corrective actions.
• Serves as the primary operational liaison with University and external business partners, including Accounting, Procurement, Facilities, Information Technology, Human Resources, and vendors, facilitating resolution of complex operational issues and ensuring efficient service delivery.
• Provides guidance and consultation to faculty, staff, and leadership regarding financial policies, expense management, procurement procedures, travel policies, and administrative processes; interprets policies and recommends solutions to unique or non-routine situations.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves operational procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency, strengthen compliance, and support evolving business and programmatic needs.
• Leads operational planning and management of Center facilities and satellite office locations, assessing needs, prioritizing resource allocation, coordinating services, and implementing operational improvements.
• Monitors and analyzes operational activities and administrative processes, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement, and making recommendations to leadership to support organizational effectiveness.
• Partners with Center leadership on strategic initiatives, operational projects, and organizational priorities, conducting research and analysis, developing recommendations, coordinating implementation activities, and monitoring outcomes.
• Supports alumni engagement, donor stewardship, and other Center initiatives by coordinating operational activities, ensuring timely execution of processes, and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exercises independent judgment in prioritizing work, resolving operational issues, and recommending solutions that align with Center objectives, University policies, and resource constraints.
• Responsible for training office staff on office procedures and compliance protocols. Coordinates special projects.
• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts.  Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Administrative experience.
• Operations experience, including procurement and payments.
• Event coordination experience.

 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Technically adept and highly proficient user of the Outlook suite.

 

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills with keen attention to detail.
• Creativity, resourcefulness, and strong problem-solving skills, including willingness to seek out, coordinate, and appropriately disseminate key information.
• Work with frequent interruptions and successfully manage concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication and customer service skills.
• Familiarity with the University of Chicago, its systems, and its constituents.
• Work with minimal supervision.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

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

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
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

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

$58,000.00 - $65,000.00

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.

 

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