Senior Director, Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC)

Job Summary :

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University has committed to developing the world’s leading institute on complexity science with a focus on business research through the newly created Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC).

The RIC will comprise a revolutionary research lab designed to change the way business, markets and societal issues are studied, combining multidisciplinary talents and quantitative sciences in new ways to tackle bigger problems faster.

The RIC will place Kellogg and Northwestern at the forefront of solving increasingly complex societal, business, and market challenges by harnessing the power of big data and artificial intelligence.

The RIC was recently funded by a $25M gift from the Ryan Family Foundation and is in the stage of forming its administrative structure.

The Senior Director of the Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC) will focus on providing strategic leadership, attracting novel funding streams, and supporting faculty in their research and curricular endeavors within the Institute and its research centers and laboratories.

The Senior Director will work closely with the Faculty Co-directors of the Institute and the home institution for grants and awards.

Please note : Occasional weekends and evenings as requested and with some possible travel, as required.

Specific Responsibilities :

Strategic Planning and Fundraising

• Partner with Faculty Co-directors to provide the strategic direction of the Institute in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with complex and changing initiatives and priorities.
• Provide oversight and direction for high-priority projects and initiatives for the Institute.
• Attract novel funding streams and grant funding utilizing collaborative efforts with various grant funding institutions.
• Write, edit, and develop new funding proposals to support the initiatives of the Institute.

Programmatic and Operational Leadership

• Partner with Faculty Co-directors to create a governance structure for the Institute, hire staff, and foster a culture of strong organizational performance.
• Oversee the management of the RIC staff, researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars.
• Direct operations of the Institute and drive efficiency.
• Oversees the Institute’s annual budgeting and financial management processes.

External Engagement, Communication and Outreach

• Build research collaborations internally across Northwestern and externally with related organizations and associates to further the RIC as a globally recognized Institute.
• Leverage the RIC platform to encourage local and global participation through signature conferences and visiting scholars.
• Collaborate with alumni, industry leaders, and other partners to bring real world examples and experience to the labs.
• Oversee all Institute communications, including the website, newsletters, and social media to further the Institute’s brand and reputation.
• Represents Kellogg to external audiences of potential participants, partners, and supporters, working with a wide variety of clients and partners to ensure the Ryan Institute is at the center of quantitative approach to problem-solving on campus, locally and globally.

Faculty & Research Support

• Launch and execute curricular courses / programs in Executive Education and / or the MBA or PhD programs, as opportunities arise.
• Hire, on-board, and support visiting experts and associate faculty, researchers, and scholars.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Master’s degree (or the equivalent combination of education & experience) required; PhD is highly preferred (possible adjunct faculty role if candidate meets qualifications).
• Eight or more years of relevant industry or functional experience.
• Experience working with grant proposals or in a grant funding institution and in interdisciplinary, team science environments.
• Experience working in a dynamic start-up environment.
• Experience with devising and implementing strategies and systems to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Management experience overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder research programs and initiatives, and overseeing staff and operations.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong relationship builder with excellent communications and interpersonal skills required. Ability to partner thoughtfully and deeply with faculty and other related institutions and organizations.
• Ability to translate research content to external communities.
• Ability to mobilize resources across Northwestern, Kellogg, and external organizations (e.g., Argonne labs) to move an idea initiative forward.
• Creative and forward thinking

Target hiring range for this position will be between $140,000 - $160,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.