Laboratory Schools: Programming Manager, Family Life Programs

Department

Lab School Family Life Programs

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The Family Life Programs Programming Manager provides overall leadership, management, and creative direction for program initiatives within the Extended Day and Lab Adventurers/Lab Explorers programs at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, supporting students from nursery through 8th grade. This role ensures that these programs offer safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate enrichment experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and confidence. The Programming Manager works closely with staff, faculty, families, and both FLP assistant directors to continually elevate the quality and impact of campus-specific programming.

Responsibilities

• Oversee comprehensive planning, implementation, and evaluation of program initiatives in Extended Day and the Lab Adventurers/Lab Explorers. 

• Collaborate with both FLP assistant directors to deliver and enhance campus-specific Extended Day programming.

• Keep organized and up to date supply inventory for all programming.

• Design and maintain a diverse and engaging curriculum that aligns with the Laboratory Schools’ educational mission and supports students’ developmental and social-emotional growth.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate program staff to ensure high-quality instruction and alignment with best practices in FLP programming.

• Maintain organized archives of program materials, contracts, and communication.

• Serve as a primary contact for Lab Adventurer/Explorer families and staff, addressing questions and gathering input to drive program improvements and participant satisfaction. 

• Collect and analyze ongoing feedback to enhance program quality and parent satisfaction.

• Conduct formal and informal observations; assess staff performance and provide actionable feedback to foster growth and excellence.

• Work with administrative teams on scheduling, logistics, staffing, budget management, and coordination of Extended Day and Lab Adventurers/Explorers Programming.

• Ensure all program operations meet safety protocols, policies, and regulato