Chief of Staff, Education Lab

Chief Of Staff, Education Lab

The Chief of Staff, Education Lab is a pivotal role supporting the work of the University of Chicago Education Lab. This role directly supports the work of the Executive Director, Education Lab and is a member of the Education Lab's leadership team. This individual will ensure the strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and overall success of the Education Lab's portfolio of work by driving high-impact initiatives, fostering collaboration, and ensuring strategic alignment across the portfolio of projects. Acting as a connector across teams and a liaison to external stakeholders, the Chief of Staff, Education Lab will play an important role in advancing the Lab's mission to improve educational outcomes through cutting-edge research and practice. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success as a strategic thinker and proactive problem solver; possess exceptional communication skills, and a passion for education and organizational impact.

The job leads the administration of academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.

Responsibilities include :

• Partnering with the Executive Director, Education Lab to articulate and execute the strategic vision, priorities, and goals for the Education Lab's portfolio of work.
• Providing data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to guide high-level decision-making and alignment with the goals and objectives of the Education Lab's portfolio of work.
• Maintaining accountability and alignment across teams by tracking project timelines, milestones, and addressing roadblocks through tools like Quarterly Roundups. Working with the Education Lab leadership team to proactively identify and mitigate operational risks and challenges, assist teams in implementing effective solutions.
• Leading the planning and facilitation of internal team meetings, cross-functional coordination, and in-person team gatherings to enhance collaboration and communication.
• Managing cross-cutting initiatives requiring input from multiple team leaders, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Collaborating with Research Directors and the Finance Team to develop and manage a multi-year budget for the Education Lab's portfolio of work. Monitoring implementation of this budget to ensure resources are allocated strategically and in accordance with stated budget priorities.
• Supporting the Executive Director, Education Lab in ensuring alignment between project goals, capacity, and resources across all staff supporting the Education Lab's portfolio of work. This includes, but is not limited to : supporting in the coordination and preparation of quarterly check-in conversations, maintaining appropriate channels of communication between staff and Executive Director, Education Lab, and staying current on topics with the education policy and education research sectors. Supporting project teams in creating the foundational documents and tools that will guide decision-making, monitor progress towards project milestones and deadlines, and efficiently organize team-level effort.
• Preparing high-quality briefings, presentations, and reports to equip the Executive Director, Education Lab and stakeholders with actionable insights.
• Developing and administering program budgets and recommending or making budgetary recommendations.
• Serving as a key resource for program information. Resolving problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
• Performing other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred qualifications include previous experience working in a research organization or managing research projects. Preferred competencies include the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment, strong project management and organizational skills, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, the ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal colleagues and external partners, and the ability to adapt to changing timelines, expectations, or project parameters.

Application documents required include a resume and cover letter.

The job family is Administration & Management, role impact is individual contributor, and scheduled weekly hours are 37.5. The job is not required to take a drug test, health screen, or motor vehicle record inquiry. The pay rate type is salary, FLSA status is exempt, and the pay range is $102,000.00 - $132,000.00. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees. 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.