Department

SSD: Economics-Staff and Temporary Employees-KCG Applied Economics Incubator

About the Department

For over a century, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has stood at the forefront of economic research and education. Its distinguished faculty has received an unparalleled number of Nobel Prizes and John Bates Clark Medals in economics, and many are esteemed members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society. This tradition of excellence is further advanced through the Kenneth C. Griffin Applied Economics Incubator, a hub for generating new initiatives and ideas that drive broad-based thought and policy change.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Department Chair, the Program Director will oversee the Kenneth C. Griffin Applied Economics Incubator and be responsible for the day-to-day operational needs of Incubator programs. The Program Director will work closely with the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics and the Becker Friedman Institute to achieve program goals. Additionally, this role involves providing strategic planning and recommendations for leadership, developing proposals, and making independent financial decisions.

Responsibilities

Manage University-wide call for proposals on Incubator topics, including coordinating the  review and award processCollaborate with the Advisory Council to build new partnerships within the University of Chicago, as well as with donors and decision-makers, to support and expand research initiativesDefine strategic priorities and develop operational plansManage and track project timelines, generate regular status updates for leadership, and resolve administrative challenges throughout the project lifecycleLaunch new Incubator projects, including forming leadership committees and coordinating with a diverse network of faculty across the UniversityOversee project execution, including scheduling, onsite coordination, materials procurement, and other operational logisticsSchedule and participate in Advisory Board meetingsAnalyze, develop and manage Incubator budgets, create accountsAllocate, authorize, and monitor expenses in alignment with program goals and financial policiesMaintain accurate financial records, including purchases, account balances, and spending activityNotify faculty of their annual project budgets and provide monthly financial reports and projections to faculty and finance teamsSupply HR partners with salary allocation data for all Incubator-funded personnelProcess Payroll Expense Cost Corrections (PECCs), journal entries, and correct documents as neededWork with Development on gift managementTrack endowment disbursementsConduct monthly financial reviews in partnership with the BFI and Economics finance teams to ensure alignment and oversightReview and approve GEMS reports Monitor accounts and perform trend analysis to ensure budget targets are metTroubleshoot and reconcile financial discrepancies in collaboration with finance and HR teamsSupport and process transactions in Oracle, Concur, and Workday; guide staff on procurement policies and best practicesHandle invoices, reimbursement requests, funding transfers, and non-payroll payments to individuals, corporations, and suppliers/vendorsRemain current on University financial systems and policies through regular training and implementation of best practicesOversee contracts, planning, and logistics for domestic and international conferences and eventsManage workspace assignments for Incubator staff, postdocs, and visitors in the McGiffert HouseConduct quality assurance reviews and recommend operational improvements as neededSupervise support staff, including the executive assistant, pre-doctoral researchers, and research assistantsPartner with HR Partners on recruitmentProvide administrative support and approve time for assigned staffCollaborate with the Communication teams to maintain and update website contentSet program priorities and performance benchmarks; assess and report on operational effectivenessPrepare the Incubator’s annual donor report and contribute content to the Department’s Annual ReportDevelops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriateManages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendationsPerforms 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business Administration or related field

Experience

Five years of financial experience in a university environmentProject management experienceAward and grants proposals and budgetsManaging high-level external partnerships

Technical Knowledge or Skills

Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skillsAdvanced proficiency in Excel using formulas and pivot tablesProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Adobe, Oracle, SAP/Concur

Preferred Competencies

Proven leadership skills with a strong track record of successfully managing and completing complex projectsStrategic thinker with the ability to align short-term objectives with long-term organizational goalsExceptional organizational and analytical abilities, with a keen eye for accuracy and attention to detailOutstanding interpersonal skills; adept at building effective relationships across a diverse range of individuals and professional settingsSuperior written and verbal communication skillsTrusted to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalismSkilled at managing high-volume workloads, competing priorities, and tight deadlines in fast-paced environmentsProactive and forward-thinking, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to evolving needsEqually effective working independently or collaboratively within a teamResourceful and persistent in resolving issues, utilizing appropriate tools and processes to achieve outcomesExercises sound judgment and consistently makes thoughtful, effective decisions under pressure

Working Conditions

Some evenings and weekends may be required

Application Documents

Cover Letter (required)Resume (required)Three (3) Professional references (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

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

$85,000.00 - $100,000.00

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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