Director, Experiential Education and ESA Administration

Department

ESA Deputy Director - Finance, Administration, and Student Employment

About the Department

Career Advancement serves a student population of approximately 7,000 arts and sciences undergraduate students, in addition to alumni who have graduated within the last five years. Career Advancement plays a vital role in ensuring our students’ success after graduation. Career Advancement offers innovative and comprehensive career development services with a focus on pre-professional preparation, experiential education, and opportunities. Through career advising, programs, and comprehensive resources, Career Advancement supports undergraduate students and alumni as they develop the skills necessary to manage their career development, while working with alumni and employers to provide students with meaningful opportunities. For more information, please visit the Career Advancement website at careeradvancement.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

UChicago Career Advancement builds on the world-class UChicago liberal arts foundation to provide students with a competitive edge in their professional development. Career Advancement’s Experiential Education team collaborates closely with partners across the University to deliver a wide range of non-industry-specific programs that are accessible to all undergraduates, supporting their diverse career interests.

The Director is a key managerial role responsible for overseeing a team of three staff members who manage critical areas within Career Advancement. The Director will supervise the administration of the Career Exploration Trek Program, which annually facilitates 30+ trips for 500-600 College students to various global destinations. Additionally, the Director will oversee financial processing and grants management, ensuring efficient handling of payments, stipends, and funding. The role also includes managing Student Employment, including the hiring and administrative management of student workers within the division.

Additionally, the Director will manage relationships with senior leadership and staff to ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively. The role requires advanced program management skills to oversee budgeting and accounting, manage key accounts that fund the Jeff Metcalf Internship program, and support the Department’s Human Resource Partner with divisional onboarding and offboarding processes.

This position demands a strong leader who is passionate about working with students, campus, and external partners. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to create impact through effective team management, program oversight, and account management. The ideal candidate will be an energetic and talented administrator with a proven track record of success in complex, decentralized environments where collaboration and coalition-building are essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversees team management, leading a team of three staff members responsible for critical areas within Career Advancement.
• Supervises the administration of the Career Exploration Trek Program, ensuring the successful execution of 30+ trips annually. Provides guidance and support to staff in planning, logistics, and program execution.
• Oversees financial processing and grants management to ensure the efficient handling of payments, stipends, and funding. Develops and implements financial procedures and controls to maintain accuracy and compliance with University policies.
• Manages the hiring and administrative processes for student workers within the division, ensuring effective onboarding, training, and ongoing support for student employees. Collaborates with various departments to align student employment initiatives with divisional goals.
• Utilizes advanced program management skills to oversee budgeting and accounting for key accounts, including those that fund the Jeff Metcalf Internship program. Develops and maintains efficient methods to track and report spending, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with senior leadership, campus partners, and external stakeholders to ensure resources are utilized efficiently and effectively. Represents Career Advancement in meetings and collaborates on strategic initiatives to enhance student career outcomes.
• Supports the Department’s Human Resource Partner with divisional onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring compliance with university policies and fostering a positive work environment.
• Analyzes program data and student feedback to assess the effectiveness of Career Advancement initiatives. Utilizes data-driven insights to inform decision-making, improve program offerings, and enhance student career development.
• Provides high-quality career advising to undergraduate studen