Department

University of Chicago Urban Education Institute

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 Urban Education Institute (UEI), an internationally and nationally renowned institute addressing educational inequality in urban communities by conducting rigorous research, informing evidence-based policies, and implementing innovative practices to promote educational equity and excellence.

Job Summary

The Senior Executive Director (SED) of the Urban Education Institute (UEI) is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic direction, management, and oversight of all aspects of the institute. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the SED plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of UEI. The SED will ensure efficient operations and collaboration across teams within UEI, including supervision of the directors and executive directors within the Urban Education Institute.

This senior leadership role will partner with the UEI Faculty Director to conceptualize a strategic vision that encapsulates UEI’s objectives. Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture that supports the mission, vision and values of UEI. The SED will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic plans that ensure UEI leadership and staff act in concert with the vision and long-range objectives.

The SED will work closely with local, state and national education leaders, community partners, schools, school districts, non-profits, media, and funders. In partnership with the Faculty Director and other leaders, the SED will work to advance strategic priorities and ensure continuity of funding.

The ideal candidate will be innovative, intellectually curious, and a collaborative leader with experience in urban education or a related area. Strong candidates will have deep familiarity with educational leaders throughout the City of Chicago, a strong foundation in policy and practice research, previous management experience of large and complex teams, and familiarity with higher education institutions. The ideal candidate will have experience disseminating the results of research to various audiences.

Specific job responsibilities are outlined below.

Responsibilities

Supervise and provide support to the directors and executive directors of the Urban Education Institute.

Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture action plan that aligns and supports the mission, vision and values the UEI

Oversee day-to-day operations, including staffing, resource allocation, and compliance with university policies and procedures.

Partner with the Faculty Director and senior leaders to set strategic priorities for the Institute.

Develop and articulate a compelling vision and strategic plan for UEI.

Cultivate strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders in Chicago and nationally to advance UEI’s mission.

Represent UEI with educational leaders, policymakers, non-profit partners, and funders.

Support development and execution of a fundraising strategy for UEI, including the cultivation of individual donors, institutional philanthropy, foundations, and corporate philanthropy.

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

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

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

Engage policymakers, thought leaders, and the media to raise awareness of key challenges and opportunities in urban education.

In collaboration with the Faculty Director and UEI senior leadership, develop and manage the institute's annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities.

Oversee administrative functions, including resource allocation and compliance with university policies and procedures.

Ensure effective communications across teams through frequent check-ins and convenings with senior leadership on recurring and ad-hoc intervals.

Foster a supportive and inclusive organizational culture that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Provides strategic leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.

Manages multiple related teams. Establishes department priorities, is responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.

Oversees a communication strategy and marketing efforts aimed at increasing the visibility of the Center. Collaborates with others to make the center a valuable resource to all students and contributes to the broad goals of creating a stronger campus community.

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 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree in education, management/administration, sociology, or a closely related field.

Work Experience:

Previous experience in urban education, grant-funded research organizations, and/or managing research projects strongly preferred. Previous experience managing large and complex teams strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

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

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.

Demonstrated managerial acumen and experience building engaged and high-performing teams.

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.

Deep commitment to educational equity and social justice, with a clear understanding of the structural inequities that impact urban communities.

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

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

$180,000.00 - $225,000.00

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.