Dean of Students
The University of Chicago

Department
BSD GPA - Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs

About the Department
The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: The Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation's leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world-renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV):

MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.

VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.

VALUES:
•Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
•Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
•Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
•Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
•Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
•Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.

The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.

Job Summary
The Dean of Students (DOS) Office is situated within BSD to provide administrative oversight of the approximately 550 PhD students, 80 MD/PhD students in the research phase, and 120 MS students. Some of these students complete their degrees at affiliated institutions such as Argonne National Laboratory, the Field Museum, and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. Reporting to the Vice Dean of Academic Administration and Finance in the BSD, the DOS provides vision, leadership, and direction through multiple teams responsible for the creation and execution of strategies and programs that improve the student experience and increase enrollment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and directs a Dean of Students office. Provides leadership and strategic direction for a broad range of services and programs to enrich the overall student experience and to assist and support students across the BSD with their academic, career, and personal development.
  
• Uses a deep knowledge of the BSD's independent and highly unique graduate programs, working in close collaboration with the Associate Dean for Basic Research, Graduate Education (the Associate Dean), and other leadership to create improved oversight, training, policies, guidelines, standard processes, and infrastructure, such that regardless of the program BSD students receive a consistent experience that reflects the University's core values. Creates and fosters equity by clearly communicating expectations around funding and financial aid.
  
• Develops, implements, and oversees the execution of policy and procedure to drive strategic change and enable greater transparency and consistency across unique programs.
  
• Manages and oversees the resolution of complex and highly sensitive crisis matters, closely interfacing with UChicago CARES, Office of Legal Counsel, and other key stakeholders.
  
• Serves as a skilled mediator and delegate of the Associate Dean for helping to manage reputational risk; troubleshoots highly complex issues of misconduct and misunderstanding in partnership with University offices.
  
• Leads the team to build and optimize administrative systems and workflows to address emerging and changing federal, state, and University requirements.
  
• Oversees a complex system for reporting and tracking all manner of student data on behalf of the BSD.
  
• Analyzes trends in student data and activities to make recommendations on policy, procedure, and practice and leads the implementation of these activities.
  
• Oversees recruitment and retention of graduate students in the BSD, responsible for creating a diversity & inclusion strategy that works to increase the diversity of underrepresented groups across the three-degree types and develops and executes strategy to enable students from diverse backgrounds to belong, thrive, and succeed.
  
• Advises the team responsible for the development and execution of the BSD's professional program strategy, with the goal of optimizing opportunities for growth, developing new programs, creating enhanced marketing and enrollment strategies across programs, building out a career development infrastructure and enhancing the myCHOICE portfolio of programs.
  
• Plans and oversees the management of the tuition revenue, financial aid budget, and resources for aid, including endowment income and external fellowships. Manages fellowship competitions and oversees government and foundation grants. Reviews foundation reports, authorizes grant proposals and works with the unit development staff on fundraising.
  
• Manages employees through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. Contributes to departmental strategy.
  
• Oversees and directs a Dean of Students office. Provides leadership and strategic direction for a broad range of services and programs to enrich the overall student experience and to assist and support students across the University with their academic, career, and personal development.
  
• Plans and provides guidance for a range of student services including but not limited to student records, registration, disbursement of financial aid, monitoring of degree requirements, and convocation. Sets student affairs policies and is responsible for discipline and crisis response for students. Serves at the University level on task forces, standing committees, and advisory groups to develop policies, services, and systems.
  
• Plans and oversees the management of the tuition revenue, financial aid budget, and resources for aid, including endowment income and external fellowships. Manages fellowship competitions and oversees government and foundation grants. Reviews foundation reports, authorizes grant proposals, and works with the unit development staff on fundraising.
  
• 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:

• PhD.
  

Experience:

• Senior-level leadership experience in a university environment working directly with students and overseeing student affairs.
  
• Experience in successfully providing direction, setting, and managing priorities, identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing initiatives for change, and managing people and projects.
  
• Experience managing multiple teams and coordinating with stakeholders across different educational programs.
  
• Experience building consensus.
  
• Experience managing student crisis situations with a high degree of diplomacy and tact.
  
• Supervisory experience.
  

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other common software programs.
  
• Expertise in data management and analysis.
  
• Extensive Knowledge of University of Chicago administrative policies and procedures.
  
• Extensive project management and goal-setting skills.
  

Preferred Competencies

• History of successfully managing teams of highly experienced professionals and working effectively within matrixed organizations.
  
• Deep commitment to customer service and ability to set priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively and cultivate positive working relationships with students, staff, and faculty.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills including outstanding judgment, discretion, a strong ethical approach to decision-making, and ability to main confidentiality
  
• Expertise in resolving complex and highly sensitive matters in student and academic affairs.
  
• Extensive knowledge with the academic research enterprise and University of Chicago environment.
  

Working Conditions

• This position is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.
  
• Home office environment must be conducive to normal office environment; including internet connection and ability to perform all work functions.
  
• On rare occasions, some evening and weekend work required.
  

Application Documents

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

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Student Affairs & Services

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
$130,000.00 - $180,000.00
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.

---