Senior Manager, Operations & Programs

Senior Manager, Operations & Programs/Assistant Director

The job manages a broad range of business operations and academic activities. Develops and implements office procedures and policies and ensures compliance. Prepares and monitors the budget for a unit. The Senior Manager, Operations & Programs/Assistant Director plans, directs, and manages daily operations across DIL's diverse initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations and Administration, this role combines strategic operational acumen with program management, overseeing operations related to international HR, academic appointments, space management, events, and departmental initiatives. The Senior Manager, Operations & Programs/Assistant Director supervises a team of up to three Operations Associates and provides analytical guidance to senior leadership on complex operational matters. This position requires proven ability to independently manage multiple concurrent projects, coordinate diverse and cross-functional teams, and maintain strategic communication with diverse stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven operations management experience, in-depth knowledge of HR processes and international operations, and leadership capabilities in academic or research environments.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and lead DIL's international operations, visa coordination, and contracting; solve complex compliance issues and provide analytical guidance on regulations and salary benchmarking; lead and coordinate integration of third-party vendor tasks.
• Independently lead comprehensive HR operations including recruitment, performance management processes, employee onboarding/offboarding, and records maintenance across DIL third party hiring entities; interpret hiring compliance requirements and University policies, ensuring adherence and recommending best practices in coordination with University and external partners.
• Oversee coordination of all UChicago HR functions between DIL and HR implementing partners in SSD.
• For activities related to operations, HR, space management, and events, serve as liaison to academic departments, professional organizations, and administrative units of the University; work closely with key partners, including Social Sciences Division HR and the office of International Affairs, to navigate a variety of routine and complex issues.
• Supervise and develop junior operations staff and student workers, acting as a resource and providing analytical guidance.
• Independently develop detailed work plans, schedules, and project estimates, for the logistics and administration of special projects and departmental initiatives and events, including Development Economics Research Fund, Weiss Fund for Development Economics, and Chicago Area Development Community meet-ups; assemble and lead project teams, assign responsibilities, track progress, conduct analysis, and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Work independently to manage administrative processes related to academic appointments and visiting researcher, including postdoctoral scholar reappointments and visiting scholar coordination; identify innovative solutions for complex procedural challenges.
• Serve as primary liaison between University departments for MOU, NDA, and DUA requests; interpret complex agreement issues and coordinate cross-functional teams across University departments to ensure timely completion; track progress and facilitate stakeholder communications, share expertise based on experience related to these types of agreements.
• Oversee space needs for DIL team members across the world and manage DIL office spaces in Chicago (maintenance needs and seating allocations).
• Uses best practices to develop and execute organization's operational and overall strategic plan. Develops and implements relevant policies and procedures and ensures compliance.
• Works with minimal guidance in space, facilities, and equipment, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a graduate degree in a related field, 7+ years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory and project management experience, experience working in higher education or research environments, and in-depth knowledge of human resources processes and best practices.