Assistant Director of CISSR

Department
 

SSD: CISSR - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department
 

The Center for International Social Science Research is an eclectic intellectual community devoted to nourishing empirical, international research across the social sciences. We seek to spark and sustain critical discussions that traverse disciplinary, methodological, and geographic boundaries. CISSR supports work that informs and transforms debates on global issues within the academy and beyond. As a center housed in the social sciences division, CISSR provides multiple grant programs for faculty and graduate students, while also partnering with other centers to provide events, conferences, and other kinds of research support.

Job Summary
 

The job provides professional support and solves straightforward problems for a broad range of business operations and academic activities. May develop and implement office procedures and policies and ensures compliance. May prepare and monitor the budget for a unit.

The Assistant Director reports to CISSR’s Faculty Director and works closely with the Director, Board and Faculty Fellows on a day-to-day-basis. In managing CISSR’s day-to-day activities and operations, the Assistant Director exercises considerable independent judgment and coordinates with key Divisional and University staff as appropriate. The Assistant Director will: execute programs and sponsored activities designated by the Board; serve as liaison between the Director, Faculty Fellows, University Administrative Offices, and external agencies; supervise student assistants; coordinate logistics for visitors; support the Director and Faculty Fellows to disseminate research findings; oversee the CISSR website and bi-weekly Digest and hire, supervise, and train the CISSR program/communications coordinator.

Responsibilities

Programming and Events:

• Organizes workshops, conferences, events, and other public programming for CISSR.

• Organizes and administers the grants, and manages the review process, assigning reviewers, and setting deadlines for announcing research fellows.

• Project-management of faculty research projects in the fellowship program including purchasing, hiring, and other administrative assistance as needed for successful research outcomes.

• Manages the Call for Proposals throughout the year, setting deadlines and answering queries to students and faculty in a timely manner.

• Organizes colloquiums and events for student and faculty fellows during the academic year.

• Facilitates co-sponsored events and handles initial requests for support from UChicago departments and centers.

Center Operations:

• Provides leadership in developing short and long-term programmatic goals for the Center in cooperation with CISSR Director, CISSR Faculty Advisory Board members.

• Develops, manages, and forecasts CISSR budget and maintain relationship with SSD LBC business managers.

• Keeps close track of finances, assist with travel and reimbursements, and helping visitors to CISSR with travel and lodging questions.

• Supervises Program Coordinator and student workers.

• Maintains CISSR space and equipment in Pick Hall.

Communications & Outreach:

• Maintains oversight of the bi-weekly digest.

• Trains staff on communication style and brand identity.

• Maintains contact with central UChicago Global leadership, SSD administration, and Office of International Affairs.

• Prepares reports for the Faculty Advisory Board and the SSD Dean annual report on activities.

Academic Initiatives:

• In partnership with the CISSR Director and Faculty Advisory Board, researches, develops, plans, and implements new programs including a pre-doctoral fellowship, visiting scholar program, and more.

• Fundraising and Development:

• Seeks new funding opportunities that support the teaching and research projects of faculty affiliated with the Center.

• Develops new funding proposals in consultation with the Director, Deans, and Development personnel in SSD and the central Foundation Development Team.

• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning or support services. Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.

• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts. Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.

• Researches and analyzes data to create reports.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualif