Department Administrator, Middle Eastern Studies (uchicago)

Job Description

Department

HUM Staff: Middle Eastern Studies

About the Department

Founded in 1892, the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, with over forty faculty and lecturers, is one of the largest such departments in the country. The Department’s distinguished faculty offer cutting-edge interdisciplinary perspectives on the lands of the Near and Middle East. We teach more than twenty ancient and modern languages, as well as topics in archaeology, history, and literature. The research and teaching interests of scholars in MES range over this historically central and geopolitically significant region from the Chalcolithic era to the present day.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Department Chair, the Department Administrator manages the academic, student, financial, and administrative affairs of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies (MES). Supervising two full-time staff members, the Administrator works closely with faculty to provide oversight for PhD and undergraduate programs, providing leadership around student affairs issues and strategic planning as well as strategizing with the Chair on departmental issues and policy changes.

Candidates must upload all required materials to be considered including a resume, cover letter, and references. Hybrid work schedule available.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with Chair, Directors of Graduate Study, and Dean of Students office, provides leadership on student affairs within the degree cycle of PhD students from admissions to convocation and all work throughout including tracking and certifying degree requirements, milestones, recordkeeping, etc.  
• Attends Student Affairs Committee meetings, makes recommendations to faculty on cohort management and improvements to department policies and procedures. 
• Manages student teaching appointments in collaboration with faculty, adhering to University and graduate student union guidelines.
• Organizes annual new student orientation.
• Provides administrative oversight of annual admissions and recruitment process; sorts and assigns applications to faculty, organizes admissions meetings, facilitates communication with Dean of Students office, and plans annual yield event.
• Develops programs to build community within the student population and brings issues of concern related to student affairs to faculty leadership; acts as a liaison between students, University offices, and faculty.
• Works closely with Department Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies to manage, develop, and promote undergraduate programs.
• Provides oversight for faculty and other academic appointment and review processes. 
• Supervises two full-time staff members and multiple graduate student workers.
• Oversees the department’s webpage and other external communication projects.
• Oversees events.
• Submits annual budget and manages day-to-day finances for the department’s operating budget and endowments, works with Development Office as needed to support ongoing stewardship efforts.
• Works with the Curriculum Committee on curricular planning and development; attends Curriculum Committee meetings and delegates scheduling responsibilities to department staff.
• Organizes and attends faculty meetings by assisting Department Chair with drafting agendas, preparing materials, and taking minutes.
• General operations and space management.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
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• Analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of administrative experience in higher education, student affairs, academic support, or closely related environment.
• Knowledge of graduate education.
• Project management experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with MS Office, including Excel's basic data functions.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat; experience in InDesign/Photoshop a plus.
• Database experience, particularly student information systems.
• Proficient in Drupal or similar website management programs.
• Follow FERPA guidelines and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal skills characterized by the ability to effectively interact and work with a range of constituents, including students, faculty, and colleagues in other administrative units across campus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, time management, and follow-up skills.
• Self-motivated and solid problem-solving skills.
• Excellent professional judgment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Letter of Interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

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

$65,000.00 - $80,000.00

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 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.

 

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