Senior Program Administrator, Social Sciences Research Center, Research Centers, and Team Science

Job Summary

The Sr. Program Administrator of the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC), Research Centers & Team Science, supports the effective operation and development of the SSRC and a portfolio of interdisciplinary research centers and team-science initiatives across the Division of the Social Sciences. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives, the Sr. Program Administrator works closely with faculty and center leadership and coordinates initiatives designed to strengthen research capacity, collaboration, organizational effectiveness, and external funding.

The role also leads faculty-facing research support activities, including methodological workshops and training, proposal development resources, data-use and data-acquisition support, and connections to University research infrastructure. For centers without full-time administrative staff, the Sr. Program Administrator provides administrative oversight for core functions, including budgets, facilities, procurement, contracts, events, records, and related operations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates operations and supports planning for the SSRC and assigned interdisciplinary and research centers; works with faculty and center leadership to set, refine, and implement strategic direction and program priorities.
• Develops and maintains detailed knowledge of University of Chicago social science faculty research interests and strengths and uses that knowledge to shape innovative research support programs and cross-center opportunities.
• Establishes organizational structures, business processes, workflows, guidelines, and performance standards that strengthen administrative effectiveness and support center and divisional goals.
• Manages the SSRC Faculty Advisory Board and works with faculty leadership on vision, implementation, assessment, and strategic growth.
• Carries out special initiatives on behalf of the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives and represents the Division in collaborative projects as assigned.
• Supports research development activities for assigned centers and collaborative initiatives, working with faculty and the Division’s research development team to translate ideas into competitive proposals for external funding.
• Provides guidance to investigators on broader impacts, data management, project management, sponsor requirements, and other elements of proposal strategy and development.
• Coordinates large sponsored-award projects and collaborative, interdisciplinary, and institutional programs in partnership with faculty and staff across campus.
• Organizes proposal preparation and submission services to meet sponsor expectations, use faculty and staff time efficiently, anticipate investigator needs across the award life cycle, and ensure compliance with University policies.
• Contributes to grant writing, fundraising, stewardship materials, and reports for assigned units and develops programmatic indicators and outcomes that demonstrate impact and effectiveness to funders and stakeholders.
• Develops and leads research development training programs, methodological workshops, and targeted training opportunities; creates tools and templates that strengthen the Division’s proposal development infrastructure.
• Builds and maintains relationships with University partners such as the Research Computing Center, IRB, Library, and other central units to connect faculty and centers to research resources and expertise.
• Oversees the Division’s proposal library and funding-opportunity resources and supports data-use and data-acquisition needs in coordination with relevant University partners.
• Manages the Division’s research facility at 1155 E. 60th Street, coordinating administrative needs for faculty research projects, visitors, events, and access.
• Manages a suite of competitive internal funding opportunities for faculty and student researchers, including developing and issuing RFPs, coordinating proposal review, announcing awards, and managing reporting.
• Coordinates administrative functions for centers without dedicated staff, including financial management, external funding, payments, facilities, supplies, equipment, contracts, events, records, and databases; coordinates transactional activities with appropriate divisional and central staff.
• Develops guidelines and operational plans that align with institutional and unit goals, policies, and regulations; maintains current knowledge of central administrative systems and updates procedures as needed.
• Reviews administrative processes and recommends improvements.
• Develops and implements communications plans for the SSRC and assigned centers and coordinates website, email, and other authorized communications for internal and external audiences.
• Manages collaborative relationships with departments, units, divisions, central offices, and external partners; coordinates staff as appropriate to share best practices, troubleshoot issues, and foster collaboration across the University.
• Supervises, trains, and provides professional development for interns and student staff; establishes clear priorities, workflows, and expectations.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master’s or PhD, preferably in the social sciences or a related field.

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, research administration, research centers, grants management, nonprofit management, or a related field. Demonstrated experience coordinating complex initiatives, advising senior stakeholders, and managing cross-functional operations involving multiple stakeholder groups. Experience administering competitive research programs and grants and contributing to strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and program development. Experience working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, administrators, students, central offices, and external partners. Supervisory or staff-management experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage priorities, and work independently within established goals and policies.
• Advanced knowledge of University policies, administration, operations, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of social science research techniques, methods, scientific applications, and research infrastructure.
• Strong project and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives and competing priorities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills; ability to anticipate issues, adapt quickly, and identify strategic opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across disciplinary boundaries and with varied constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships in complex research environments.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to train, mentor, and develop others.
• Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, flexibility, self-direction, and a track record of delivering strong results.