Assistant Director - Operations

Department

Booth Fama-Miller: Research 1

About the Department

The Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance is dedicated to maintaining and advancing the legacy of Eugene Fama and Merton Miller by providing the institutional structure and resources required to support academic researchers and push forward the boundaries of research in finance.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 61,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Operations supports the Fama-Miller Center's mission to advance academic research in finance through leadership, coordination, and administration of key operational functions. This position oversees the operational execution of the Center’s weekly workshops and academic conferences and manages a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including website administration, travel and expense operations, research professional hiring support, and data resource administration.
Working collaboratively with Center leadership, the Assistant Director, Operations manages multiple priorities, develops and enhances operational processes, and exercises independent judgment to support the efficient and effective operation of the Center. This position requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to independently manage competing projects and competing priorities in a dynamic academic environment.

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Heads the Center’s faculty workshop program, which includes three different weekly workshops. Establishes event timelines, coordinates faculty and speaker engagement, oversees program logistics and resource allocation, and ensures successful execution aligned with the Center’s objectives.
• Oversees the Center’s expense and travel reimbursement operations for workshop speakers, conference participants, and visiting scholars. Ensures compliance with University policies and procedures, provides guidance on reimbursement requirements, identifies process improvements, and serves as a primary resource for stakeholders regarding travel and expense administration.
• Oversees the administrative operations of the research professional hiring process in partnership with the Director of Research Systems and Development. Reviews application materials for completeness and compliance with established requirements, maintains hiring documentation, monitors applicant progression, and prepares materials to support hiring decisions.
• Leads the planning and administration of academic conferences and special events, independently managing assigned conferences from inception through completion. Oversees project planning, registration processes, vendor relationships, budget tracking, stakeholder communications, logistics coordination, and on-site operations to ensure successful program delivery.
• Supports the administration of the Center's data resources in partnership with the Director of Research Systems and Development by developing and maintaining systems to monitor usage, track subscriptions, manage renewal schedules, and support long-term data management needs.
• Oversees the strategic management and continuous enhancement of the FMC website and related digital communication platforms. Develops content management processes, ensures information accuracy and accessibility, aligns online resources with the Center’s priorities, programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborates with Center leadership to collect, analyze, and synthesize operational, programmatic, and financial information for the FMC Annual Report and other strategic reporting initiatives.
• Oversees office operations and resource management for the Center, including procurement, inventory administration, vendor coordination, and supply management. Evaluates operational needs and implements processes that support efficient and effective administrative operations.
• Exercises substantial independent judgment and discretion in managing operational activities, establishing priorities, resolving complex administrative issues, and recommending process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness and support the Center’s strategic goals.
• Leads or participates in special projects and other operational initiatives as assigned. Serves as a key operational partner in advancing the Center’s mission, strategic objectives, and long-term priorities.
• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning or support services. Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.
• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts.  Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Administrative and operations experience.

• Event and program management experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Familiar with payment processing and financial systems.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional time, resource management, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.

• Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes.

• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, including in person, email, and phone.

• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work in the office.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$55,000.00 - $63,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

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.

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.

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