Department

Crown Center for Health Administration Studies

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), , the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.

The University of Chicago Crown Family School is the academic home to the Center for Health Administration Studies (CHAS), a leading health policy and services research center with a mission that all people should have equal access to health services. This vision inspires all aspects of the work of CHAS in programs supporting faculty research, promoting interdisciplinary inquiry, disseminating research, and promoting student learning. CHAS is undergoing a new strategic direction with a focus on Climate and Health. Under this new focus, CHAS directed research would focus on the relationship between climate change and physical and mental health, and consider key moderating factors, such as housing disruption and human mobility, that impact health.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Executive Director (ED) plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and new strategic direction of CHAS. The ED will help to develop key collaborations across the University and the City of Chicago around Climate and Health, build grant funding with foundations and government agencies, and implement new programming around climate and health. The ED will work closely with local, state and national healthcare leaders, community partners, non-profits, media, and funders. In partnership with the Faculty Director and other leaders, the ED will work to advance strategic priorities and ensure continuity of funding. The ED will also handle all aspects of the Center’s administrative functions.

This leadership role will partner with the CHAS Faculty Director to conceptualize a strategic vision that encapsulates CHAS’s new Climate and Health objectives. The ED will advance the development of and implement strategic plans that ensure projects and activities are executed in alignment with the vision and long-range objectives.

The ideal candidate will be innovative, intellectually curious, and a collaborative leader with substantive expertise in climate change initiatives and ideally substantive knowledge related to climate and health. Strong candidates will have deep familiarity with securing grant funding, and working with climate and health-focused leaders working in the foundation, non-profit sector and/or in policy and practice research. Contacts within the philanthropic community, and familiarity with higher education institutions is strongly desired. The ideal candidate will have experience disseminating the results of research to various audiences.

Specific job responsibilities are outlined below.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Faculty Director, articulate the vision for the center on Climate, Health and Society and undertake actions that advance the strategic plan.

In collaboration with the Faculty Director, plans and develops program objectives and/or content. Researches and identifies trends and needs and establishes program directions accordingly.

In collaboration with the Faculty Director, establish an advisory board for CHAS, and plan meetings and communication as appropriate.

Leverage substantive expertise and knowledge in climate change initiatives to secure grant funding, and build relationships with climate and health-focused leaders working in the foundation, non-profit sector and/or in policy and practice research.

Make key collaborations across the University and the City of Chicago around climate and health, build grant funding with foundations and government agencies, and implement new programming around climate and health.

Represent CHAS with local, state and national healthcare leaders, community partners, non-profits, media, and funders. Engage policymakers, thought leaders, and the media to communicate key findings from CHAS research and to raise awareness of key challenges and opportunities in climate and health.

Collaborate with the Crown Family School’s Development team to support development and execution of a fundraising strategy for CHAS, including the cultivation of individual donors, institutional philanthropy, foundations, and corporate philanthropy.

Collaborate with the Crown Family School’s Communication team to ensure CHAS is effectively and proactively represented to external stakeholders and to enhance the Center's reputation as a national leader in climate and health research. Provide guidance on specific communication needs, including press releases, website content, and newsletters.

Executing all aspects of the Center’s administrative functions.

Partner with the Faculty Director, Crown senior leaders and stakeholders to set strategic priorities for the Center.

Partner with Crown Family School’s Alumni Relations and Development team and Office of Community Partnership and Impact.

Serve as a leading voice on climate and health policy issues at the local, state, and national levels.

In collaboration with the Faculty Director, develop and manage the center's annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities

Ensure the center operates in compliance with university policies and procedures

Plans and develops program objectives and/or content. Researches and identifies trends and needs and establishes program directions accordingly.

Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program recipients, University administrators, or other contingencies.

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:

Advanced degree in healthcare/environmental/climate fields, policy, business, higher education, or a closely related field.

Experience:

Experience in climate and health policy preferred, but at least in climate policy.

Experience in grant-funded research organizations and higher education strongly preferred.

Work with climate and health-focused leaders working in the foundation, non-profit sector and/or in policy and practice research.

Contacts within the philanthropic community, and familiarity with higher education institutions strongly desired.

Preferred Competencies

Substantive expertise in climate change initiatives and knowledge related to climate and health.

Expertise in securing grant funding.

Demonstrated leader, visionary and strategic thinker with a commitment to advancing existing initiatives and championing new projects.

Honed organizational and administrative skills in a higher education, non-profit or research organization.

Demonstrated skills and ability to research, identify and secure funding via grants, contracts and other philanthropic channels.

Familiarity with climate and health policy/public health leaders.

A foundation in policy and practice research.

Team player with ability to build consensus and to work through others in achieving desired results and objectives.

Ability to develop and execute strategic plans in alignment with the organization's mission and objectives, in collaboration with an extraordinary team of senior leaders.

Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.

Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.

Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and triage work to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.

Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.

Proven track record of effectively managing complex projects, budgets, and teams in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to think strategically, anticipate emerging trends, and adapt to changing circumstances in the field of urban education.

Working Conditions

Hybrid work schedule possible, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.

Travel to external stakeholder sites as needed.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover letter (required)

References (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

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

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 - $155,000.00

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.

 

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