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 process
- Collaborate 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 initiatives
- Define strategic priorities and develop operational plans
- Manage and track project timelines, generate regular status updates for leadership, and resolve administrative challenges throughout the project lifecycle
- Launch new Incubator projects, including forming leadership committees and coordinating with a diverse network of faculty across the University
- Oversee project execution, including scheduling, onsite coordination, materials procurement, and other operational logistics
- Schedule and participate in Advisory Board meetings
- Analyze, develop and manage Incubator budgets, create accounts
- Allocate, authorize, and monitor expenses in alignment with program goals and financial policies
- Maintain accurate financial records, including purchases, account balances, and spending activity
- Notify faculty of their annual project budgets and provide monthly financial reports and projections to faculty and finance teams
- Supply HR partners with salary allocation data for all Incubator-funded personnel
- Process Payroll Expense Cost Corrections (PECCs), journal entries, and correct documents as needed
- Work with Development on gift management
- Track endowment disbursements
- Conduct monthly financial reviews in partnership with the BFI and Economics finance teams to ensure alignment and oversight
- Review and approve GEMS reports
- Monitor accounts and perform trend analysis to ensure budget targets are met
- Troubleshoot and reconcile financial discrepancies in collaboration with finance and HR teams
- Support and process transactions in Oracle, Concur, and Workday; guide staff on procurement policies and best practices
- Handle invoices, reimbursement requests, funding transfers, and non-payroll payments to individuals, corporations, and suppliers/vendors
- Remain current on University financial systems and policies through regular training and implementation of best practices
- Oversee contracts, planning, and logistics for domestic and international conferences and events
- Manage workspace assignments for Incubator staff, postdocs, and visitors in the McGiffert House
- Conduct quality assurance reviews and recommend operational improvements as needed
- Supervise support staff, including the executive assistant, pre-doctoral researchers, and research assistants
- Partner with HR Partners on recruitment
- Provide administrative support and approve time for assigned staff
- Collaborate with the Communication teams to maintain and update website content
- Set program priorities and performance benchmarks; assess and report on operational effectiveness
- Prepare the Incubator’s annual donor report and contribute content to the Department’s Annual Report
- Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate
- Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations
- 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
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business Administration or related field
Experience
- Five years of financial experience in a university environment
- Project management experience
- Award and grants proposals and budgets
- Managing high-level external partnerships
Technical Knowledge or Skills
- Strong mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Advanced proficiency in Excel using formulas and pivot tables
- Proficiency 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 projects
- Strategic thinker with the ability to align short-term objectives with long-term organizational goals
- Exceptional organizational and analytical abilities, with a keen eye for accuracy and attention to detail
- Outstanding interpersonal skills; adept at building effective relationships across a diverse range of individuals and professional settings
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- Trusted to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism
- Skilled at managing high-volume workloads, competing priorities, and tight deadlines in fast-paced environments
- Proactive and forward-thinking, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to evolving needs
- Equally effective working independently or collaboratively within a team
- Resourceful and persistent in resolving issues, utilizing appropriate tools and processes to achieve outcomes
- Exercises 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
FLSA Status
Exempt
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 theBenefits 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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