Executive Program Director, Specialized Masters Programs - Military Veterans

Location: Chicago, IL
Job Description:

• Leads the Specialized Masters Programs. Develops strategic management plans for the programs and leads execution for the ongoing success of the MiM and MiF programs, in close collaboration with Deputy Dean and Associate Deans. Visible to students, faculty, and other program administrators as the primary contact for all matters related to MiM and MiF.
• Manages a small team of student experience staff members who provide essential student services to the Specialized Masters students, including academic advising, student life, and career support.
• Works closely and builds strong relationships with the Associate Deans, Chief Officers, and other Executive Directors at Chicago Booth to ensure close collaboration related to managing the student experience for Specialized Masters students.
• Works effectively in a matrixed organization to leverage the tools, systems, and expertise housed in other degree program offices, including the MBA programs, which are necessary for success of the Specialized Masters programs. This will include collaborating on databases, academic accommodations, graduation planning, etc.
• Coordinates professionalism and leadership-oriented extra-curricular programming for Specialized Masters students together with Executive Director of Leadership Development Office.
• Manages relationship with the student leaders in the Specialized Masters student governments and coordinates with relevant departments on student interests and concerns.
• Maintains close connections with the Faculty Directors of the Master in Management and Master in Finance programs. Supports faculty assessment of curriculum, providing data, convening meetings, and supporting the academic success of the students.
• Stays abreast of relevant worldwide business, alumni, and Chicago Booth trends and issues, and have a deep understanding of the student experience at Chicago Booth.
• Serves as a champion for the Specialized Masters programs to support admissions efforts, as requested by the Associate Dean for Admissions. This may include participating in information sessions or recruiting events, as well as coordinating post-admissions career engagement. Well-versed in the admissions process and timeline.
• Leads the team that maintains and builds ongoing relationships with employers focused on hiring MiM and MiF students, and provides career advising and direction to MiM and MiF students.
• Leverages alumni and existing Booth corporate relationships to forge employment connections in industries, functions, and geographies which align with MiM and MiF student interests. Leverages connections for colder outreach, and assist program team with this activity as well.
• Develops and implements career programming for students which will enable them to pursue appropriate job opportunities successfully. Programming includes career management and industry education.
• Works closely with MBA Career Services team to ensure consistency and collaboration related to career advising approach and employer outreach.
• Coordinates closely with MBA Career Services on career systems for MiM/MiF, including 12twenty, Canvas, career research databases, and marketing materials, including external and internal websites and the dissemination of timely career updates.
• Advises students on career-related matters, including employer engagement, self-assessment, resume and cover letter tactics, interview preparation, and job search strategy.
• Identifies best practices and cutting edge technologies to apply to job searches and builds into educational programs and coaching, such as AI tools, technical interview prep, etc.
• Maintains close ties with Specialized Masters Program alumni for ongoing program support and for recruiting advocacy within organizations where our Specialized Master alumni are employed. Understands how these graduates perform in the marketplace.
• Maintains and shares metrics on employer and student engagement and collects data on graduating student employment progress in alignment with CSEA standards.
• Liaise closely with key UChicago counterparts including the College's Career Advancement team, UChicagoGRAD, and Financial Math Masters program to share employer connections and programming support, and with the Office of International Affairs to provide accurate support related to international students seeking employment in the US.
• Oversees key operational activities essential to MiM/MiF programs, such as event coordination, student and employer communications, Canvas courses, and intranet content management.
• Manages managers and professional staff by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing performance, and recommending individual merit and/or promotional increases. Â Â Â Â Â Â
• Manages a Dean of Students office. Provides leadership 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.Â
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• MBA degree.

Experience:

• A minimum ten years of work experience in organizations of similar size and scope.
• A minimum three years of experience working with corporations and students within a university environment.
• Business, law, or medical school background.
• Managing and leading teams of at least three people.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, problem-solving, decision-making, client service, and cross-department collaboration skills.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills. Meet multiple external and internal deadlines.
• Proven ability to design and create programming.
• Proven ability to create and track systems to report progress.
• History of effective collaboration with colleagues.
• Work effectively both with minimal supervision and as part of a work team.
• Understand the priorities and goals of the school.
• Proven ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential information.

Working Conditions

• This position is expected to work in the office.
• Work in person at Booth's Harper Center and Gleacher Center downtown.
• Work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Hold Zoom meetings with employers in the US and internationally.

Application Documents

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

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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: 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.