University of Chicago

University of Chicago

Executive Director, Harris Social Impact Fellowship

Chicago, IL · Director · Contract

Sponsorship not specified$130k-$180kDetected 2 hours ago
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About the role

  • The Executive Director provides strategic, programmatic, financial, and operational leadership for the Harris Social Impact Fellowship (HSIF), a flagship initiative of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
  • The Executive Director sets the multi-year growth trajectory of HSIF, including cohort scaling, geographic expansion of host placements, and new institutional partnerships.

Responsibilities

  • Owns the multi-year growth strategy: cohort size, geographic and sectoral scope of host placements, and sequencing of expansion moves, in alignment with School priorities.
  • Leads external host site expansion, including sourcing strategy, the rigor floor and selection criteria for new sites, cost-share model design, and negotiation of foundational partnership terms.
  • Owns senior-level relationships across Harris and the broader University, including the Dean and Associate Deans, faculty principals, research center directors (Urban Labs, BIP Lab, Mansueto Institute, and others), and counterparts in University advancement, finance, and academic affairs.
  • Sources and manages individual and organizational contacts and partnerships that unlock program growth and enhance program quality, including identifying and managing engagement scope, timeline, and deliverables.
  • Serves as the program-substance partner to ARD and Harris leadership on HSIF-related donor cultivation and reporting, including co-producing the program-substance materials to be used in donor conversations with ARD, such as impact reports, cohort narratives, programmatic updates, and briefing packets tailored to specific audiences.
  • Sets the selection architecture, including the assessment framework, interview design, and evaluation rubrics, and holds final cohort formation decisions in partnership with the Faculty Director.
  • Designs the alumni engagement platform as a strategic asset compounding across cohorts, including the convening model, leadership pathways, and mechanisms by which alumni contribute back to recruitment, mentorship, and host-site development.
  • Sets the post-fellowship career strategy, including the sectors, employer categories, and role types HSIF is equipping fellows for, and builds senior-level relationships with hiring organizations that position HSIF as a talent pipeline to the field.
  • Sets the governance protocols, decision rights, escalation pathways, and scalable operational infrastructure that support multi-cohort growth without compromising fellow experience quality.
  • Owns risk management for the program: operational, reputational, and partnership risks

Requirements

  • include a college or university degree in related field.
  • Contact information for three references (required)

Nice to have

  • Proven track record in strategic planning, multi-year program development, and scaling complex initiatives across institutional boundaries.
  • Preferred Competencies
  • Conceptualizes, plans, and executes complex, multi-faceted programs with minimal oversight, exercising sound independent judgment on strategic and operational questions.
  • Navigates complex stakeholder ecosystems with competing agendas, with strong instincts for sequencing, escalation, and de-confliction.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to brief senior leadership, represent the program externally, and produce program-substance materials of institutional quality.
  • Supervises program staff and external consultants, sets performance standards, and holds hiring authority within the program team in alignment with Harris HR processes.
  • Holds fiscal accountability for the program budget, including multi-year financial planning, scenario modeling under alternative growth paths, and budget allocation decisions.
  • Presents findings to senior Harris leadership, advisory stakeholders, and, in coordination with ARD, to donor audiences.

Compensation

  • $130,000.00 - $180,000.00 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.
  • The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information.

Benefits

  • 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.

Equal opportunity

  • 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.
  • Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the
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