Managing Director, PME Materials Institute

Department

PME Administration & Operations

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME's rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago's unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The PME is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next growth phase as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Managing Director directs, coordinates, and oversees the processes associated with the finance, governance, and programmatic initiatives of the Institute. Performs complex and diverse administrative duties, including, but not limited to, managing the Visiting Fellows and Postdoctoral Fellows programs, staffing the Faculty Advisory Committee, reporting across Labs and streamlining and tracking requests, and maintaining close communication with the Faculty Director. Manages and delegates faculty requests, coordinates with functional areas, and directs the work of the Institute Administrator and Senior Operations Associate. Works as part of a cohort of PME Institute Managing Directors to align strategic plans supporting PME’s growth plan. The Institutes will focus on three distinct engineering disciplines: materials and sustainability, immunoengineering and bioengineering, and quantum science and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Executes the strategic vision as well as the day­-to­-day management, budgeting, strategic planning, business functions, and communications of the Institute.
• Oversees launches, plans, and implements new technical programs, including student fellowships and cross-institutional collaborations.
• Manages faculty and personnel searches for theoretical and experimental roles, overseeing candidate visits, interviews, and presentations.
• Leads and facilitates stakeholder meetings and symposia, and manages partnership development across industry, corporate, academic, and government sectors, fostering strategic alliances. Builds global academic and industry relationships, including visiting collaborators and student exchange programs.
• Hosts and coordinates international and governmental workshops and alliances, leading the partnership and agreement processes for institutional collaborations and student exchange collaborations.
• Develops and manages memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and collaborative agreements for joint academic and fellowship programs. Oversees application, selection, and ongoing management of fellowship programs, collaborative research agreements, and visiting researcher appointments.
• Oversees and leads operational and strategic Institute projects at the direction of the Faculty Director, including liaising with internal and external constituencies and stakeholders. This includes building partnerships with units across campus and relevant external organizations and groups in the Institute's engineering specialty.
• Manages institute strategy development along with the Faculty Director, supports the institute's advisory board, works across campus to connect with quantum faculty in other departments, and works with the communications team to build a brand for the institute.
• Directs the budget for the Institute, managing financial resources, and preparing and monitoring reports. Works with PME Finance to ensure compliance with all University and federal contract guidelines and regulations. Manages the monthly budget meetings with the PME Finance and URA teams. Provides strategic direction and oversight for the purchasing of goods and services and vendor agreements.
• Ensures close communication with the Faculty Director and the cohort of PME Institute Managing Directors as appropriate.
• Point of contact to other Institutes and Divisional administrative resources (IT, HRAA, Finance, Marketing, Facilities, Admissions, Academic Programs, Dean of Student’s Office).
• Collaborates with the Communications Lead, for presenting and prioritizing marketing and communication needs. Organizes the monthly marketing/communication meetings with the Faculty Director and Communications Lead. Plans and manages Institute sponsored events, seminars, lectures, and symposi