Associate Director, Programs and Communications
The University of Chicago

Job Info

---

Department

CSL I-House Administration

About the Department

International House at the University of Chicago is a dynamic residential and program center. Founded in 1932 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., International House is today one of 16 members of the International Houses Worldwide network. The mission of International House of Chicago is to promote cross-cultural understanding, mutual respect, and friendship among students and scholars and, on behalf of the people of metropolitan Chicago, toward individuals of all nations and backgrounds.

In addition, International House serves as a cultural and intellectual center for a wide array of public programs. Over 75 globally focused public programs are held each year at International House, on campus, and around the world. These include music and cultural performances, outreach programs with Chicago-area international organizations, collaborations with foreign consulates, language exchanges and discussions, and forums and debates led by distinguished guest speakers through the longstanding Global Voices Performing Arts and Lecture Program.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of International House, the Associate Director, Programs and Communications coordinates all public programming and communications through the Global Voices Performing Arts and Lecture Series, programming and communications for graduate students through the Graduate Commons Program, alumni engagement activities including the annual Alumni Weekend, and private University events including expanded summer programming. Supports alumni relations and development-related activities and programs involving the worldwide alumni and friends' community currently with over 42,000 members. Manages strategic and community partnerships with a variety of constituencies across campus and throughout Chicago, and around the world including with the UChicago Global Centers to realize the vision and goals of International House. The Associate Director may act in place of the Director of International House, where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Creates, implements, manages, and evaluates annual series of 75+ educational and cultural public programs through the Global Voices Performing Arts and Lecture Series.
• Manages and builds strategic alliances across the campus and in Chicago to offer programs that advance international perspectives and the diversity of ideas.
• Creates, implements, and manages activities for graduate and professional school students through the Graduate Commons Program, the Global Program Fellows Internship Program, and the Graduate Fellowship Program which awards 90+ fellowships annually.
• Provides leadership opportunities for a team of 5+ students in the College through the Global Voices Metcalf Internship Program and a team of 15+ graduate students through the Global Program Fellows Internship Program.
• Enhances and expands engagement opportunities for the global alumni and friends' community. Supports initiatives in collaboration with International Houses Worldwide.
• Collaborates with internal and external teams to provide best-in-class event and engagement experiences. Participates in the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of large and small-scale in-person, virtual, and hybrid events and programs.
• Manages and attends a wide range of events during the day, evenings, and weekends as required. Contributes to problem-solving related to unforeseen issues concerning events and guests. Ensures that all events conform to University of Chicago and International House policies as necessary with a high-level of sensitivity to customer service and enhancing public relationships with program organizers and participants.
• Oversees all private special University events held at International House on a rental basis including an expanding series of summer programs.
• Serves as an ambassador and advocate for International House and its mission within the UChicago community and beyond. Represents International House in and outside of the University including on committees and work groups as assigned.
• Manages communications and International House public profile for all programming including website, newsletters, weekly e-bulletins, listservs, multi-media productions, social media, and print materials. Broadens public relations through International House to enable engagement with the University community, and alumni and friends worldwide.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, and building networks within the University and with colleagues at other institutions.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records, timelines, and process documents when coordinating events, providing important data to guide future programming. Archives event details.
• Reviews and finalizes the guest lists, assists with mailing invitations, and creates brochures for the event.
• Implements ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
---
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Advanced graduate or professional degree.

Experience:

• Leading and creating programs and coordinating between multiple parts of an organization.
• Marketing to and within a broad range of cultural and educational institutions at the highest levels.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• An understanding of the broad international community in the City of Chicago and opportunities within the University environment.
• Understand the needs of the University of Chicago community and work with faculty, staff, and students in a wide array of situations.

Preferred Competencies

• Academic and professional commitment to working with an international population and developing and supporting inclusive communities.
• Identify communication goals in the framework of overall marketing and public relations goals and develop a clear, focused communications strategy to meet those goals.
• Work independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Exercise discretion regarding confidential matters on a consistent and ethical basis.
• Detail-oriented, work on and prioritize multiple projects, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Identify opportunities and create solution.
• Strong interpersonal skills to provide group and individual leadership and build relationships.
• Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion.
• Foster partnership and collaboration.
• Lead performance and flawless execution.
• Exhibit resilience and optimize resources.
• Drive employee engagement.

Working Conditions

• Significant evening and weekend working hours.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

---