at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
DepartmentInstitute for Climate & Sustainable Growth Administration
About the Department
The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society's understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.
Job Summary
The Chief of Staff is a key member of the Institute's leadership team and will serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and coordinate efforts across the Institute's growing staff to ensure organizational efficiency and maximize impact. Acting as a key connector among faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, the Chief of Staff will help translate the Institute's ambitious vision into operational excellence, advancing its mission to generate innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to the world's most pressing climate and energy challenges. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor, strategic thinker, and detail-oriented executor who thrives in complex, collaborative environments.
Responsibilities
- Works closely with the Executive Director on overall strategy, goals, and vision for the Institute, acting as a liaison between the Institute's leadership, staff, and key stakeholders, both internal and external.
- Helps drive strategic planning processes, monitors progress on institutional priorities, and ensures alignment with the Institute's mission.
- Coordinates day-to-day Institute operations, managing staff communication, planning, execution and administrative workflows across multiple teams, including budget and finance, human resources, communications, policy, education, and student programming.
- Works across the Institute to drive special projects and cross-functional initiatives, from concept to execution, ensuring timely and high-quality outcomes.
- Serves as a key partner to the Managing Director for Policy and Strategic Engagement.
- Works with the Executive Director and key members of the leadership team, including the Faculty Director and the Director of Development, to identify and cultivate new partnerships to advance the Institute's core initiatives and priorities.
- Prepares executive-level briefings, reports, presentations, and meeting materials.
- Leads high-level coordination of events and communications initiatives, driving cross-functional collaboration and alignment with organizational strategy.
- Supports the development and implementation of policies and procedures that enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Represents the Institute in internal meetings on University-wide committees, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate.
- Mentors and supports staff in project management and coordination across research, education, and outreach programs.
- Manages employees through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
- Provides regular reports to executive management on all projects and strategic initiatives. Ensures that appropriate project documentation is maintained in order to meet organizational needs and all applicable requirements.
- 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 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualification
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in related field.
Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience with demonstrated success.
- Extensive experience working with high-level stakeholders, including government officials, major philanthropies, and global institutions.
- Working closely with senior or executive leadership to drive strategic priorities and manage high-level initiatives.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects from planning through execution, preferably in a mission-driven or research-focused environment.
- Proven ability to design, implement, and optimize administrative and operational processes across diverse functions.
- Preparing briefings, reports, presentations, and other materials for internal and external executive audiences.
- Strong track record of collaborating with internal teams and building trust with external partners.
- Background in or exposure to environmental andenergypolicy or academic/research sectors is strongly preferred.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Proficient in Microsoft Windows Suite, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Excellent computer skills including fluency in Google Suites.
Preferred Competencies
- Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
- Translate complex research into compelling, policy-relevant insights.
- Skilled at systems thinking, project execution, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
- Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency across global contexts.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, to navigate ambiguity and lead with conviction.
- Handle a diverse portfolio of responsibilities simultaneously with speed, accuracy, and courtesy, and exhibit exceptional levels of insightful planning.
- Budget management skills.
Working Conditions
- This is an in-person role based in Chicago, IL.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
People Manager
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
$182,750.00 - $236,500.00
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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