Director of Business Management and Strategic Initiatives
The University of Chicago

Department

PSD Chemistry: Faculty Support

About the Department

The NSF QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute is one of five National Quantum Centers funded by NSF. This institute seeks to develop Quantum Sensing for Biophysics and Bioengineering and involves 23 faculty across four Universities. As we advance our scientific grand challenges, we are striving to promote workforce development across the South Side of Chicago.

Job Summary

The Director of Business Management and Strategic Initiatives with the NSF QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute will coordinate all program activities including outreach, research, and operations within the institute. The Director will actively drive convergent science by bringing scientists from disparate disciplines together to team effectively. The role requires scientific knowledge of quantum technology and/or quantum sensing and the ability to help position the QLCI for potential renewal. This position will partner with the center and PI, Greg Engel, to organize, develop, and coordinate all components of this project (research team coordination, external advisory committee meetings, community engagement, education, training, workforce development, seminar series, reporting, and outreach). Responsibilities include communicating with faculty, postdocs, students, participants, and staff to ensure that QLCI activities proceed optimally. This position will serve on the QLCI Executive Committee alongside faculty. The role requires a strong skillset in project administration and management, and the ability to adapt to a changing set of assignments and tasks associated with the initiatives of the QLCI. The individual will work closely with the QLCI Director and Executive Committee on various projects and support a wide range of QLCI Activities.

This position is expected to attend all bi-monthly working group meetings with NSF Staff and represent the University to NSF in these conversations. The position will be responsible for collecting and understanding the role of each faculty member's research within the project as well as outreach activities. The administrator may work with the other National Quantum Centers across NSF, DOE, and DoD to plan joint events, coordinate outreach, and develop public relations strategies.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a liaison between the QLCI and various external agencies including NSF.
  
• Oversees capital equipment budget and participant support budgets for the QLCI.
  
• Works effectively across the University community including students, faculty, staff, and civic organizations to sustain clear and timely communication regarding programmatic events and activities.
  
• Performs grant-writing activities and conducts preliminary work for proposal renewal efforts.
  
• Develop and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assess operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
  
• Independently drives administration and implementation of programs, initiatives, and convenings.
  
• Performs grant-writing activities and conducts preliminary work for proposal renewal efforts.
  
• Documents meetings/discussions and follows up on action items.
  
• Participates in live bi-monthly meetings with NSF program managers to represent the University's progress within our QLCI.
  
• Plans external site visits for NSF Staff and Reviewers.
  
• Organize external advisory board meetings, and plan and prepares presentations for meetings.
  
• Facilitates the research group events pertaining to QLCI.
  
• Assists with other administrative projects as needed and acquires higher-level guidance and skills.
  
• Uses best practices to develop and execute the organization's operational and overall strategic plan. Develops and implements relevant policies and procedures and ensures compliance.
  
• Plans, develops, analyzes, and manages budget, including developing multi-year budget forecasts. May oversee the preparation and management of grant and contract proposals, ensuring compliance with all University, federal and private foundation guidelines and regulations. Develops financial reports and assists with seeking funding for grants.
  
• 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

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in Scientific Discipline such as Chemistry, Physics, or Biology.
  

Experience:

• Experience in project planning and execution.
  
• Experience in Quantum Technology.
  

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and Google Docs.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including for executive-level audiences.
  
• Grant-writing.
  
• Marketing.
  
• Business Development.
  
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
  
• Seamlessly move between projects with short notice.
  
• Work under pressure and take on new assignments.
  
• Excellent verbal and written community skills; organizational skills.
  
• Meet deadlines; maintain confidentiality, and problem solve.
  
• Maintain a calm and courteous demeanor.
  
• Work productively with heavy workload, competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to work in-person primarily.
  
• Office Setting.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (preferred)
  
• References (preferred)
  

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

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

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.

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