Assistant Director, STAGE Initiatives and Operations

Job Summary

The STAGE Center and its ambitious and dynamic endeavors are seeking an Assistant Director of STAGE
Initiatives
& Operations to help drive its next growth phase. Reporting to the Faculty Director of STAGE, the Assistant Director will serve
as the
key administrative leader, continuously developing, enhancing, and effectively steering and executing STAGE’s operations. This
position
offers the opportunity to work with a talented team of motivated professionals to drive a uniquely creative interdisciplinary
endeavor that
fuses science and art, and to interface with diverse scientists, technology experts, and multidisciplinary artists across
academia,
industry, and the professional arts world. While the Faculty Director ultimately drives the strategic long-term vision, the
Assistant
Director will implement that vision from the ground up by taking a great deal of initiative; this may include defining delegatory
structures, developing processes, and actively participating in executing operational tasks.

The successful candidate will have a
boots on the ground approach, and their goal will be to help move STAGE’s ever-expanding portfolio of widely varying projects and
initiatives, large and small, forward while ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly. They will facilitate the Center’s growth,
including, but not limited to, new strategic initiatives, grants, and fundraising, building strong relationships with stakeholders, program
and project management, and day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate will maintain a big-picture approach to event and project planning
with an equal willingness to personally take on tasks to ensure all is executed smoothly and to the highest standard. They will use an
advanced level of organizational aptitude and outstanding interpersonal skills to drive work progress and initiative for the Center’s
efforts as a whole as well as among staff to help foster a truly collaborative work environment.

Responsibilities

• Understands and implements STAGE’s vision, goals, and processes as a Center and as outlined by each endeavor’s creative director. Leads
  STAGE’s administrative and operational functions accordingly.
• Identifies and fills existing gaps and new gaps as they arise along
  the course of projects. Researches and sources people, places, things, etc. and generates solutions needed to fulfill the varying
  requirements of STAGE’s unique projects and endeavors, according to the vision of each. Helps review and revise project timelines for
  projects and events.
• Researches, identifies, builds, and maintains new and existing partnerships with internal and external people,
  including faculty, science and art researchers, practitioners, institutions, funding agencies, foundations, and industry to support existing
  projects and to foster new collaborations and initiatives.
• Researches applicable grant opportunities, strategic and creative
  partners, and avenues for distribution of the Center’s work. Drafts grant proposals, supporting materials, and other documentation as
  needed.
• Produces the Center’s events, on campus and off, nationally and internationally, in conjunction with the Center’s Program
  Manager, to bring them to successful fruition.
• Develops and implements metrics to measure programming and funding outcomes,
  particularly in terms of impact.
• Identifies and implements new ways to engage PME, UChicago students of all levels and disciplines,
  and faculty from all disciplines, in STAGE’s projects.
• With input from project creative directors, and in line with STAGE’s vision,
  mission, and work processes, conducts research and landscape analyses for the purpose of a) providing input on strategic directions, and b)
  finding avenues to cultivate interest in and disseminate the Center’s work; and translates findings into actionable items that can serve
  these objectives.
• Programs and implements a yearly calendar of one-off activities with more focused scopes, such as symposia,
  readings, workshops, etc., to take place 4-6 times per year and curate appropriate marketing strategies to increase awareness of the
  Center’s work.
• Creates slides, reports, presentations, and similar communications to disseminate information about the Center’s
  mission and identity; drafts slides, reports, and emails for key audiences, including funding agencies, sponsors, government officials,
  University administration, etc.; cultivates opportunities for presenting such communications.
• Develops and administers project
  budgets, and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or
  questions raised by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
• Promotes the organizational culture, one that
  fosters a commitment to STAGE’s mission, high standards, excellent work, and builds and maintains a collaborative, inclusive,
  interdisciplinary, and multi-cultural work environment.
• Works closely with campus partners and manages STAGE staff.
• 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.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and
  staff for committee work or information.
• Perform other 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:

*

Preferred Qualification

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in the sciences, engineering, or technology.
• Master’s degree or PhD a plus.

Experience:

• Working experience in a complex research university environment, national laboratory, medical
  center, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated administrative leadership experience, including a minimum of three years experience
  involving multidisciplinary efforts.
• Successful track record in grantsmanship and manuscript preparation.
• Prior experience
  in event management and planning for large- and small-scale productions/venues. Maintain event details with an international team
  asynchronously and varied across time zones.
• Demonstrated track record of developing strong relationships with academic researchers,
  government entities, and/or external partners.
• Demonstrated record of working collaboratively and communicating effectively with a
  variety of constituencies. 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency utilizing a variety of
  collaborative software platforms, such as Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, and Box. Prior experience in developing
  processes and filing systems that leverage the dynamic elements of these tools in project planning, budget-creation, etc.
• Skilled at
  learning new software systems, such as project management, financial, databases, website, and graphic design.

Preferred
Competencies

• Demonstrate a high degree of initiative and motivation as a self-starter and learner; work independently, take
  direction, and achieve consensus. Exceptional attention to detail, clarity, and refinement in communications and work
  products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing, report writing and
  presentations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; collaborative, enthusiastic, diplomatic, and flexible; high level of collegiality
  working with faculty, staff, and others at all levels of the organization.
• Manage uncertainty and develop effective solutions.
  Expertise in project planning and management, including crafting and adapting multiparty work plans. Skilled in tracking tasks and ensuring
  their completion.
• Effectively manage and prioritize multiple competing, high-impact tasks to optimal benefit during high demand
  periods. Demonstrate agility and resilience when faced with unexpected changes in priorities.
• Anticipate and solve a range of
  complex problems; work assignments are broad and can be challenging in nature, requiring creativity, originality, and
  ingenuity.
• Proven record of accomplishment as a strong, strategic thinker who approaches challenges with thoughtfulness and drive,
  and urgency, when appropriate.
• Remain calm, courteous, and good-humored, and work productively and efficiently despite challenges
  and competing and/or changing priorities; must have a positive, can-do attitude.
• Manage people and work collaboratively and
  effectively within a team; lead administratively and organizationally, while also enjoying being the boots on the ground and
  executing.
• Respond promptly, directly, and effectively to internal and external inquiries and requests for service, while managing
  competing demands. Manage and forecast budgets responsibly.

Working Conditions

• The position may involve
  an
  irregular work schedule. Evening and weekend work, and flexibility of work hours and availability is needed.

Application
Documents

• Resume/CV (required) 
• Cover Letter (required) 
• Writing Sample
  (required)
• References
  Contact Information (3)(preferred) 

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