Program Manager, McKeon Center

Department

AI Institute on the Formation of Knowledge

About The Department

The mission of the Institute on the Formation of Knowledge (IFK) is to better understand the process of knowledge formation and transmittal, from antiquity to the present day, to explore how these histories and cultures frame our contemporary world, and to further dialog about the forces shaping knowledge through research, teaching, and public discourse. Since 2015, the IFK has worked to dissolve the silos of thought between fields of study, and between academics and the public, to provide key insights into today s most urgent issues. The IFK is launching a new center to explore the many intellectual legacies of the work of University of Chicago philosopher, classicist, and human rights advocate Richard McKeon. The Institute s mission of investigating the formation of knowledge across disciplinary lines, positions it as the natural home for McKeon s investigation into systems of knowledge organization and his own intellectual pluralism. The McKeon Center will aim not to reproduce his work, but rather to unfold its implications for future inquiry. Plans for initial programs include preeminent faculty fellowships, faculty grants for research and course development, a high-profile public conversation series, a biennial scholarly seminar, and support for a growing roster of courses.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director and Executive Director, the Program Manager, McKeon Center, is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing daily operations of the McKeon Center at the Institute on the Formation of Knowledge (IFK). This role will also serve as a liaison to the rest of the University community for the IFK s McKeon Center initiatives, such as its fellowship program, faculty grants, events, courses, and related activities.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes events, such as the annual high-profile public conversation series, biennial faculty seminar, and other events.
• Oversees faculty fellowship and grants programs such as promotions and communications, review process management, grants management, reporting, and ongoing engagement of prior fellows.
• Manages course administration for McKeon Center courses, such as logistics of course inventory management, registration, enrollment, student data, cross listings, classroom scheduling, and course promotions.
• Annual reporting, which includes tracking and analyzing the impact of program and campus partnerships, preparing presentations and briefing materials, and supporting the Director and Executive Director in stewardship activities.
• Communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria.
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Faculty engagement including coordinates and staffs the McKeon Center faculty committee(s); supports the Director in fostering collaborations with other campus units; and facilitates faculty engagement across the University and beyond. Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Center Administration namely, finance which analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations, track program costs and grant allocations, procurement, GEMS, payments and other financial support as needed; HR support to IFK HR staff which administers tasks in UChicago s HR and appointment system, Workday, related to McKeon fellows, student staff, etc.; management of student intern and potentially additional staff as the Center grows; communications which creates and plans communications content and schedule, in collaboration with IFK communications team, for example web site, mail chimp, generating social media content; and manages Center facilities and support services through supplies, equipment, contracts, etc.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• University degree in humanities or humanistic social sciences.

Experience

• Three or more years experience organizing high-profile public events with internationally renowned speakers including speaker contracting and logistics, publicity and media, event registration management, contracting and management of venues, technology, etc.
• Managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Course administration at a major research university.
• Administration of competitive research programs and grants management.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Management and human resources systems, such as Workday.
• Budgeting and university finance systems; GEMS, Concur, BuySite, Oracle.
• Communications tools, Mailchimp, Wufoo, Eventbrite and social media platforms, especially Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Content Management Systems, especially Loomly, Expression Engine.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven project management skills, ability to prioritize.
• Strong interpersonal and customer services skills.
• Communicate effectively across disciplinary boundaries and with a variety of stakeholders, including faculty, students, university administrators, and the public.
• Take initiative, organize, and complete projects with minimal supervision.
• Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently to execute work.
• Resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker, to pivot when needed, and proactive in leveraging opportunities and anticipating and averting problems.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with discretion.
• Communicate academic concepts in publicly accessible language, and to connect scholarly work to people s day-to-day lives.

Working Conditions

• Office environment; writing and typing, work at a computer for multiple hours.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Periodic meetings at other campus locations.
• Lift up to 25-30 lbs.
• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter to include interest in position (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

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

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

Employees must comply with the University s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

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 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.