Assistant Director, Programs and Operations

Department

Booth Accounting Research Center and JAR

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Programs and Operations serves as a key operational and administrative partner to the Faculty Director, supporting the day-to-day management and long-term success of the Chookaszian Accounting Research Center (CARC). This position is responsible for overseeing center operations, budget administration, faculty support, data and information management, strategic initiatives, and program coordination. The Assistant Director manages the Center's financial activities, maintains operational systems and databases, supports faculty recruitment and engagement efforts, and contributes to initiatives that expand the visibility, reach, and impact of the Center. The role also coordinates workshops, faculty meetings, and select conferences and events that support the Center's mission.

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary administrative and operational partner to the Faculty Director, supporting strategic priorities, special projects, faculty engagement efforts, and the overall management of Center operations.
• Manages the Center's annual operating budget, including forecasting, expense approval, financial tracking, reconciliations, and maintaining real-time budget reports for the Faculty Director.
• Prepares monthly budget analyses, projections, and financial reports and supports the annual budget planning process to ensure effective stewardship of Center resources.
• Supports the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that enhance the visibility, reach, impact, and long-term growth of the Center.
• Identifies and evaluates opportunities for new programs, services, research initiatives, and other forward-looking projects that advance the Center's mission and value stakeholders.
• Coordinates research support activities, surveys, data collection efforts, and other initiatives that strengthen the Center's research capabilities and impact.
• Prepares reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other analyses to support Center planning, faculty activities, and leadership decision-making.
• Manages faculty recruitment logistics and processes, serving as the primary point of contact for candidates; and coordinating interviews, visits, meetings, and related activities.
• Provides administrative and project support to faculty related to research initiatives, meetings, communications, and other Center activities.
• Manages relationships with vendors and external partners, including contract coordination, invoice processing, expense tracking, and payment administration.
• In partnership with Booth Marketing, oversees and maintains the Center's website, digital content, and communication channels to support engagement and outreach efforts.
• Coordinates the planning and execution of weekly workshops, seminars, and faculty meetings, including scheduling, communications, registrations, and logistical support.
• Plans and manages occasional conferences, summits, and special events, including project management, stakeholder coordination, travel arrangements, vendor management, and event-day support.
• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning or support services. Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.
• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts. Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Administrative and operational experience.
• Event and program management experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Understanding of payment processing and financial systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to manage and process expenses, contracts, and budgets.
• Exceptional time, resource management, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, including in person, email, and phone.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00

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 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.

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.