Director, STAGE Center Partnerships and Strategy

Department

About the Department

Job Summary

Responsibilities

• In alignment with STAGE’s Faculty Director, and grounded in a strong understanding of STAGE’s core methodologies, mission, and vision, designs, implements, and manages the STAGE Center’s overall growth strategy, advancing its goals, promoting innovation and research, and strengthening its global profile.
• In collaboration with STAGE’s Faculty Director, strengthens and expands STAGE’s existing core partnerships, including key relationships with the National Science Foundation, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Argonne National Laboratory, and international partners in Japan, France, and Belgium. Builds and maintains new partnerships with internal and external, national and international, people and entities, such as faculty, researchers, practitioners, institutions, federal agencies, foundations, philanthropic and other sponsors, and industry, to amplify and support STAGE’s work and cultivate new collaborations and initiatives.
• Directly supervises the Multimedia Specialist and Program Administrator and the STAGE Center Program Manager, setting clear goals, defining responsibilities, and ensuring strong alignment with the Center’s strategic priorities, programmatic needs, and operational objectives.
• Provides ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development for supervised staff, fostering growth in leadership, project execution, communications, and administrative effectiveness within a highly collaborative interdisciplinary environment.
• Oversees staff workflow, performance, and capacity across programmatic, operational, and communications functions; delegates responsibilities effectively, monitors progress on deliverables, and supports high-quality execution of multiple concurrent initiatives and events.
• Builds and sustains a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team culture by conducting regular check-ins, facilitating cross-functional coordination, managing performance issues as needed, and creating opportunities for staff to contribute ideas and expand their roles in support of STAGE’s growth.
• Conducts research and landscape analyses to 1) inform strategic direction, and 2) identify opportunities to cultivate interest in and disseminate the Center’s work; then translates findings into actionable recommendations.
• Explores and identifies applicable grant and funding opportunities for growth and distribution of the Center’s work.
• Writes grant proposals, supporting materials, and other documentation as needed. Develops and administers project budgets, and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Manages and executes the Center’s high-profile events, on campus and off, nationally and internationally, in conjunction with the Center’s Program Manager and other staff, to bring them to successful fruition.
• Identifies and sources people, resources, venues, and materials needed to support STAGE’s unique projects and initiatives, and develops tailored solutions aligned with the vision and requirements of each.
• Develops and implements metrics to measure programming and funding outcomes, particularly in terms of impact.
• Identifies and implements new pathways to engage and recruit students of all levels and disciplines, and faculty from all disciplines, in STAGE’s projects.
• Designs 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 to key audiences, including funding agencies, sponsors, government officials, University administration, etc.; cultivates opportunities for presenting such communications.
• Works closely with campus partners and manages STAGE staff.
• Manages program operations and administrative functions which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
• Contributes to design of program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
• Performs other work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Work Experience:

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Work experience in a multi-faceted research university environment, national laboratory, medical center, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated administrative leadership, including a minimum of three years experience involving multidisciplinary efforts.
• Proven track record in grantsmanship, including identifying funding opportunities, drafting proposals, and managing grants from foundations, federal agencies, or other funders.
• Prior experience producing large- and small-scale events, nationally and/or internationally, including coordinating with distributed teams across time zones.
• Demonstrated track record of developing strong relationships with academic researchers, government entities, and/or external partners.
• Managing staff and fostering high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Familiarity with art-science-technology intersections or interdisciplinary research is a strong plus.

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, finance, databases, website, and graphic design.

Preferred Competencies

• Self-motivated and proactive, to work independently, take direction, build consensus, and maintain high standards of quality and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with grant writing, reports, presentations, and polished work products.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, to collaborate effectively, manage people, and work collegially with faculty, staff, and partners at all levels.
• Strategic, creative, and resourceful thinker who can navigate ambiguity, anticipate challenges, and develop effective solutions to complex problems.
• Adaptable, resilient, and professional under pressure, with a positive attitude and the ability to manage competing or changing priorities effectively.
• High cultural awareness and experience working across disciplines, sectors, and international contexts, with responsiveness to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• The position involves a dynamic work schedule requiring flexibility and may include occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, depending on program and organizational needs.

Application Documents

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

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

Job Family

Role Impact

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Pay Rate Type

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FLSA Status

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Pay Range

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

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 equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

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.

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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