Chicago, IL, USA
14 days ago
Director of Strategy

Department

BSD CTD - Data Science


About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the
broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, https://gen3.org/, https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu.


Job Summary

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

Reporting directly to the Director of CTDS, this role will serve as a critical partner in supporting the department’s goals and vision by partnering with other directors and senior leaders to lead a portfolio of strategic projects; providing leadership to managers and professional staff; being accountable for the performance and results of multiple related teams; developing departmental plans, including business, operational and/or organizational priorities; and making decisions guided by resource availability and functional objectives.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

Lead high impact, mission driven strategies for the long-term future growth and vitality of the Center.

Work closely with the Center Director, area directors and managers, technical leads, and program and project managers to ensure proper Center-wide, and program and project specific planning and, as needed, execution of plans.

Manage multiple projects simultaneously with impeccable follow-up and execution.

Represent the Center Director on various communications and meetings with internal and external parties of mixed groups from individual subject matter experts to executive leaders within the Center, University, government agencies, and industry partners.

Contribute to fund raising as appropriate and maintain involvement in pre-award processes for proper planning and setting of expectations.

Develop and implement thoughtful non-technical change management and communication plans for Center initiatives.

Provide informed recommendations to the Center Director on a wide array of issues associated with scientific, technical, and non-technical matters related to the Center’s mission, programs, and projects.

Ensure new projects are well-positioned for success through collaboration with are directors, managers, technical leads, and program and project managers.

Stay abreast of relevant policies and regulations, providing guidance and recommendations to the Center Director and other Center leadership on their impact.

Act as strategic filter for the Center Director, problem solving for parties and identifying top priorities for the Director’s attention to optimize the Director’s time and increase efficiency for decision making.

Provide support to the Center Director and other Leadership team members to execute critical organizational initiatives and special projects as needed.

Liaise between Center Director and executive support staff and other Center Leadership as needed to ensure smooth scheduling, planning, and delivery of clear, concise reports.

Supervise the Center Director’s Executive Administrative Assistant.

May supervise other Center Leadership and provide indirect supervision/leadership to those not directly reporting to Director of Strategy.

Implements objectives, as well as some long-term strategic plans respective to the department's focus.

Maintains external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

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:

MBA or other relevant master’s degree.

Experience:

7+ years of experience in strategy and operations.

Proven track record of developing effective partnerships and collaborations across vested parties.

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership in planning, communication, and implementing major initiatives.

Demonstrated superior project management and time management skills; ability to meet internal and external deadlines.

Proven ability to respond to and collaborate with diverse constituencies.

Experience that provides an ability to anticipate the needs, concerns, and desires of users and sponsors of web application like data commons, data meshes, and data fabrics.

Preferred Competencies

Ability to speak to or come up to speed quickly on scientific and technical matters relevant to CTDS in order to serve as trusted confidante and advisor to Center Director.

Ability to anticipate and think creatively to address complex needs and situations across the Center.

Strong collaboration and influence skills, demonstrating an ability to navigate organizational relationships, incorporate differing perspectives, develop recommendations, and generate consensus with partners across teams.

Excellent people and project management skills, including detail and action-orientation with excellent follow-through skills.

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Comfort with ambiguity and creating structure amidst the vague.

Ability to take initiative, manage priorities, and work independently.

Collegial management style and capacity to motivate through influence.

A high standard of excellence with exceptional planning, execution, analytical and judgment skills; the ability to work appropriately with highly sensitive matters; strong analytical skills; and an outstanding commitment to and proven ability to advance an organization's priorities.

Advanced computational skills strongly preferred.

Customer service skills.

Working Conditions

Hybrid environment with 1 or more days in the office as needed.

May need to move between Hyde Park and Chicago downtown locations in accordance with Center Director’s schedule.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (preferred)


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

People Manager


Scheduled Weekly Hours

40


Drug Test Required
 

No


Health Screen Required
 

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00

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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