Department

ESA External Relations 2

About the Department

Career Advancement serves a student population of approximately 7,000 arts and sciences undergraduate students, in addition to alumni who have graduated within the last five years. Career Advancement plays a vital role in ensuring our students’ success after graduation. Career Advancement offers innovative and comprehensive career development services with a focus on pre-professional preparation, experiential education, and opportunities. Through career advising, programs, and comprehensive resources, Career Advancement supports undergraduate students and alumni as they develop the skills necessary to manage their career development, while working with alumni and employers to provide students with meaningful opportunities. For more information, please visit the Career Advancement website at careeradvancement.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

UChicago Career Advancement builds on the world-class UChicago liberal arts foundation to provide students with a competitive edge in their professional development. Career Advancement’s Experiential Education team collaborates closely with partners across the University to deliver a wide range of non-industry-specific programs that are accessible to all undergraduates, supporting their diverse career interests.

The Associate Director is a key role responsible for managing critical operational functions within Career Advancement. This position uses in-depth knowledge and experience to oversee student payments, vendor relations, and merit scholarships, ensuring the smooth execution of these financial transactions. During peak periods, the Associate Director will assist with HR-related student employment tasks, working closely with the team member who leads these efforts. The Associate Director will support the Career Exploration Trek Program by completing tasks and executing program logistics.

In addition to operational duties, this role provides direct career advising to first-year students, offering personalized guidance on job searches, resumes, and professional development. Collaborating with teams across the department, the Associate Director works independently, with minimal guidance, and plays a vital role in process improvement, data management, and overall operational efficiency. The successful candidate will possess the ability to independently manage complex processes while providing support to colleagues as needed.

Responsibilities

Provides complete oversight of all student payments, including those related to internships, stipends, scholarships, and other financial programs. Handles payments to vendors and sends out purchase orders, working closely with all teams across the department to ensure financial operations are handled efficiently and quickly. Maintains accurate financial records and collaborates with the lead Budget Partner to implement new financial policies and improve payment processes.Provides support for the Career Exploration Trek Program by assisting with the planning and execution of 30+ trips per academic year. Collaborates with program managers to ensure logistical details are completed on time, including travel arrangements and vendor payments.Serves as the point of contact for all merit scholarship awards within Career Advancement. Tracks student scholarship placements, coordinates payments, and ensures timely communication with scholarship recipients. Fields questions from staff regarding merit scholarship awards and coordinates with leadership to ensure smooth program administration.Manages data tracking for student payments, merit scholarships, and program outcomes. Uses data to create reports for leadership and recommend strategic improvements. Ensures transparency and accuracy in financial and student data management.Works closely with the student employment HR Partner to assist with HR-related tasks during high-volume periods. Provides additional support as needed to ensure smooth onboarding, hiring, and administrative processes.Conducts one-on-one career advising sessions with first-year students, providing tailored guidance on resumes, cover letters, job search strategies, and career exploration. Acts as a resource for students, connecting them with additional career services as needed to support their professional development and readiness.Conducts job search and career management related large lectures, hands-on workshops, special events, training programs, and one-on-one career coaching sessions. Acts as a resource for and directs students to other career resources as needed.Analyzes markets and trends as they relate to job searches. Assesses student feedback and evaluations and collaborates with other career services staff members, student organizations, or other staff to determine program offerings and innovations.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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

Strong financial management skills, including oversight of payments to students and vendors and budget management.Experience working across multiple teams to improve operational efficiency.Expertise in career program support, particularly with student-facing programsIn-depth knowledge of merit scholarships and experience administering scholarship programs.Proven ability to work independently to solve complex problems and improve processes within a department.Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across teams to ensure effective program management and financial oversight.Strong commitment to student development and a passion for supporting students' professional growth and career readiness.Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Working Conditions

Work evening hours and weekends on an occasional basis, generally 1-2 days per month.Travel domestically, generally two or three times per year.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter/Statement of Interest (required)Three Professional References Contact Information (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

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

$75,820.00 - $98,120.00

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.