Senior Executive Director of the Urban Education Institute

Department

University of Chicago Urban Education Institute

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), , the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.
The University of Chicago Crown Family School is the academic home to the Urban Education Institute (UEI), an internationally and nationally renowned institute addressing educational inequality in urban communities by conducting rigorous research, informing evidence-based policies, and implementing innovative practices to promote educational equity and excellence.

Job Summary

The Senior Executive Director (SED) of the Urban Education Institute (UEI) is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic direction, management, and oversight of all aspects of the institute. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the SED plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of UEI. The SED will ensure efficient operations and collaboration across teams within UEI, including supervision of the directors and executive directors within the Urban Education Institute.

This senior leadership role will partner with the UEI Faculty Director to conceptualize a strategic vision that encapsulates UEI’s objectives. Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture that supports the mission, vision and values of UEI. The SED will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic plans that ensure UEI leadership and staff act in concert with the vision and long-range objectives.

The SED will work closely with local, state and national education leaders, community partners, schools, school districts, non-profits, media, and funders. In partnership with the Faculty Director and other leaders, the SED will work to advance strategic priorities and ensure continuity of funding.

The ideal candidate will be innovative, intellectually curious, and a collaborative leader with experience in urban education or a related area. Strong candidates will have deep familiarity with educational leaders throughout the City of Chicago, a strong foundation in policy and practice research, previous management experience of large and complex teams, and familiarity with higher education institutions. The ideal candidate will have experience disseminating the results of research to various audiences.

Specific job responsibilities are outlined below.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide support to the directors and executive directors of the Urban Education Institute.

• Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture action plan that aligns and supports the mission, vision and values the UEI

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including staffing, resource allocation, and compliance with university policies and procedures.

• Partner with the Faculty Director and senior leaders to set strategic priorities for the Institute.

• Develop and articulate a compelling vision and strategic plan for UEI.

• Cultivate strategic partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders in Chicago and nationally to advance UEI’s mission.

• Represent UEI with educational leaders, policymakers, non-profit partners, and funders.

• Support d