Senior Administrator, Becker Friedman Institute

Department

BFI - Administration

About the Department

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) serves as a hub for cutting-edge analysis and research across the entire University of Chicago economics community, uniting researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School in an unparalleled effort to uncover new ways of thinking about economics. We put those ideas into action by translating rigorous research into accessible and relevant formats, and proactively disseminating it to key decision-makers around the world.

Job Summary

The Senior Administrator will offer comprehensive, high-level administrative assistance, ensuring seamless and efficient operation of all functions within the office, reporting to John List, Faculty Director to the Becker Friedman Institute and The Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor. The Senior Administrator provides comprehensive management of administrative and operational activities for John List and his team, the BFI Chicago Experiments Initiative, Joint Initiative for Latin American Experimental Economics, the collaborations with ANU John Mitchell Economics of Poverty Lab and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This role may include supervising other administrative support and coordinating all efforts that align with the strategic goals of the office of the Faculty Director.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily administrative operations, and manages the Faculty Director’s complex calendar of academic, research and administrative commitments, exercising considerable discretion and judgment as to priorities and effective use of time.
• Coordinates high-priority meetings with faculty, administrators, research partners, and external stakeholders.
• Acts as a liaison between the Faculty Director and all other departmental staff.
• Stays informed of activities related to University programs and initiatives, apprising faculty of relevant issues.
• Coordinates information flow from the executive's office, representing the executive to other University executives, departments, and outside agencies.
• Resolves routine and complex inquiries.
• Stewards relationships with high-profile funders, donors, and potential donors on behalf of the faculty member.
• Manages speaking and media requests for domestic and international events, including screening and accepting requests.
• Monitors and handles sensitive internal and external communications, ensuring professionalism and confidentiality.
• Guides projects from onset to completion, with a focus on internal, external, and publication deadlines.
• Organizes meetings, workshops, dinners, and special events, including coordinating speakers, travel arrangements, and reimbursements.
• Coordinates complex domestic and international travel arrangements for faculty member, handling visa(s), airfare, transportation, accommodation, and reimbursements.
• Provides strategic oversight of schedule and engagements, including triaging and confirming internal and external invitations, developing agendas, setting meeting expectations, and leading follow-up on deliverables.
• Administers the graduate school letters of recommendation, job market letters and annual faculty report.
• Administers the ANU John Mitchell Lab collaboration, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia collaboration, UCEMA Joint Initiative, and BFI Chicago Experiments Initiative. Represents the program/initiative to multiple constituents, including University leadership, administrative units, external partners, philanthropic organizations, and individual donors domestically and internationally.
• Leads and supports all other research projects across the Faculty Director’s portfolio. Represents the program/initiative to multiple constituents, including University leadership, administrative units, external partners, philanthropic organizations, and individual donors domestically and internationally.
• Develops strategic priorities, operational plans and budgets.
• Responsible for all fundraising proposals, donor management, and grant coordination and submission.
• Oversees and manages the team researchers, their projects, spending, weekly meetings, presentations, IRB submissions, human subject payments, etc.
• Oversees and approves the contracts, planning, and logistics of simultaneous conferences and events.
• Oversees the development and running of programs and conferences in which the Faculty Director may be involved.
• Leads the development of all internal and external communications materials, such as annual reports, letters to donors, website content, and coordinate with staff from other university departments to ensure activities are highlighted in relevant newsletters, social media feeds, etc.
• Manages visiting student programs to ensure educational opportunities are provided.
• Participates in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of staff and Postdocs.
• Supervises and directs Research Professionals, Research Specialists, Executive Assistants, and student employees. Prepare letters of recommendation for this staff as needed. 
• Ensures excellent service and high-level business support delivery. Manages, evaluates, and improves upon standard policies and practices. May include the execution of new business metrics and processes.
• Lead, oversee, and implement projects and activities as assigned. Develop detailed project plans, timelines, deliverables, and measures; convene project meetings and follow-up with project partners and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Experience:

• Administrative experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education and high-level executive settings.
• Background working in university administration, including program development, project management, event planning, directing operations, administration, supervision, donor relations, communications, and professional editing.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

• Familiarity with complex research university environments and academic unit operations.
• Exceptional organizational skills and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to administrative challenges.

Application Documents

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

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

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$100,000.00 - $130,000.00

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.

 

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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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