Executive Director, STAGE

Department
 

PME STAGE Lab

About the Department
 

STAGE (Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration) is a full-scale laboratory embedded within the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME). Devoted to collaborations among scientists and artists, STAGE is at the helm of one of the PME’s four research themes, that of "Arts, Sciences and Technology.” The STAGE Lab's distinct research focuses on creating and developing new theatre, film, games, and other artistic endeavors inspired by science and technology. The lab’s approach is strongly influenced by the exploratory process of experimental science. Projects employ a non-traditional creative process that involves finding subtle parallels and metaphors between scientific themes and human experience to translate the richness and nuances of science into relatable forms of expression. The STAGE Lab will be transitioning to a Center (the new STAGE Center) over the next year to grow its theatre and film efforts and to expand into additional unique methods of science communication.

Job Summary
 

The STAGE Lab is seeking an Executive Director to help drive its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Executive Director will serve as the key administrative leader, continuously developing, enhancing, and effectively steering STAGE’s operations. They will build support strategies to ensure the continued success of STAGE, while generating new and innovative initiatives. The Executive Director will help develop new strategic plans and increase the external visibility of STAGE, as well as raise funds though grant applications and corporate/private philanthropy. They will work closely with campus partners and manage the STAGE staff.

This position offers the opportunity to help drive a uniquely creative endeavor, and to interface with diverse scientists, technology experts, and multidisciplinary artists across academia, industry, and the professional arts world. The ideal candidate will be innovative and intellectually curious, a collaborative leader with experience in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Leads STAGE’s operations and administrative functions. Contributes to strategic planning efforts; develops and executes a strategy to support STAGE’s goals in consultation with the Faculty Director; implements strategic plans.
• Coordinates administration and execution of STAGE’s programs and activities.
• Develops and executes a funding strategy in consultation with the Faculty Director.
• Pursues fundraising opportunities and identifies various funding sources (federal, corporate, and private); prepares, writes, and manages grants, contract proposals, reports, and reviews. Develops relationships with foundations and federal program officers to obtain new grants or renewals.
• Engages with and builds relationships with foundations, funding agencies, donors, and other development prospects to represent and further STAGE’s strategic goals. In consultation and coordination with the Faculty Director, represents STAGE internally and externally.
• Resolves issues referred by STAGE staff, University administrators, or other constituencies. Expands student recruitment and engagement activities.
• Oversees a communication strategy, marketing efforts, and external relations for STAGE, aimed at increasing STAGE’s visibility.
• Oversees development and maintenance of websites and coordinate media presence for STAGE.
• Identifies, builds, maintains and strengthens strategic relationships, including across the University and with individuals, funders, external organizations and existing and potential collaborators; seek industrial partnerships for relevant initiatives.
• Develops and executes strategies to build interest in STAGE’s work; represents STAGE and the Faculty Director in national and international collaborations, conferences, and consortiums.
• Promotes an organizational culture that fosters a commitment to the STAGE’s mission, excellent work, and building and maintaining a collaborative, inclusive, interdisciplinary, and multi-cultural work environment.
• Manages other managers and professional staff by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases.
• Manages program operations and administrative functions to include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge an