Director of Special Projects and Initiatives

About the role

Department

VP Research Central Operations

Job Summary

The Director of Special Projects and Initiatives leads high-visibility, complex special projects and initiatives in direct support of the Vice President for Research and the VPR portfolio of units, centers, and partnerships.

This role serves as a key partner within the VPR Office, implementing initiatives that are expansive in scope and significant in institutional impact, including stakeholder engagement across the VPR portfolio and with external partners in industry, government, and other research institutions.

In addition to project and initiative leadership, this individual may represent the Vice President for Research at internal and external activities and events, and may provide direct support to other senior leaders across the VPR portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President for Research, this individual operates with a high degree of trust and visibility both within the office and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Provide execution leadership for standing, high-priority initiatives across the VPR portfolio - including research computing strategy and expansion, and the optimization of funds and data flow across research functions - in partnership with the portfolio leaders.
• Support the coordination and advancement of AI adoption initiatives across the VPR portfolio - managing implementation timelines, tracking impact toward institutional research goals, and surfacing insights for VPR leadership.
• Execute VPR-directed special projects end-to-end, including launch planning and operational execution for new research institutes, major symposia, and significant cross-institutional collaborations.
• Gather and analyze data to develop clear implementation strategies and project plans; follow through on short-term project management to ensure initiatives are driven to completion, working with portfolio leaders and external partners as appropriate.
• Convene and coordinate cross-functional working groups to advance priority projects and ensure alignment across the office.
• Support partnership development by coordinating across portfolio leaders and surfacing cross-cutting internal and external opportunities that advance the VP for Research's priorities and expand the office's impact.
• Serve on committees for relevant central research initiatives and grant-funded centers and report their activity to the VP for Research or portfolio lead.
• Support federal engagement for priority research initiatives by tracking policy and funding opportunities, preparing briefing materials, coordinating partner engagement, and managing the logistics of agency and congressional visits, in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and the University's Office of Federal Relations.
• Facilitate regular status updates and synthesize progress across key initiatives to keep the VP for Research and relevant stakeholders informed and aligned.
• Synthesize complex, cross-functional information into clear written materials - including briefings, memos, implementation strategies, and one-pagers - to support the VP for Research's decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent the Vice President for Research, as designated, at internal and external University, campus, and community activities and events.
• Serve as a resource for team members; solve complex problems and communicate complex and sensitive information effectively.
• Works independently to develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Assembles and leads a project team, assigns individual responsibilities, identifies appropriate resources needed, and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Tracks progress, conducts analysis, as well as prepares for and facilitates project meetings. Ensures adherence to quality standards and reviews project deliverables.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience working effectively within a matrix organization and developing productive relationships across a university or similar institution.
• General understanding of university/research compliance and regulatory environment.
• Familiarity with data-intensive, computational, or technology-driven research environments; experience working alongside or in support of computing or scientific research is an asset.
• Professional and/or executive program management experience (in-person, hybrid, and/or online).
• Familiarity with federal research policy, appropriations, or government relations.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse stakeholder groups, organizational levels, and institutional contexts - both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence - mobilizing cross-functional teams and drawing on talent across an organization without formal supervisory authority.
• Ability to think and act strategically while managing the day-to-day execution of multiple concurrent priorities.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills, with the ability to build consensus and move complex initiatives forward.
• High degree of discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to gather, synthesize, and interpret data to inform recommendations and implementation plans.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment - adapting quickly to shifting priorities, ambiguous situations, and evolving institutional needs.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, which includes in-office and on-campus presence multiple days a week.
• Regular visits to on-campus and off-campus locations, including partner institutions, government offices, and other external sites, may be required.
• Early mornings, evening, and weekend hours may be required to meet the demands of the projects and initiatives schedule, as well as on-site presence at meetings and events.
• Travel may be required to support special projects, initiatives, and events.
• Use computers extensively throughout the workday, 4 hours or more.
• Stand for 2 to 4 hours.
• Sit for 4 hours or more.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

Additional information

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

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range $132,000.00 - $158,000.00

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

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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