Interim Director of Laboratory Schools

Department Provost Office of the Provost About the Department The Office of the Provost at the University of Chicago was established in 1963 when Edward H. Levi was appointed the first Provost of the University. Since then, the responsibilities of the Provost and the Office have expanded to include not only academic planning and appointments but academic initiatives, arts programming, space planning and allocation, the University’s budget, diversity initiatives, faculty program development, and many other manners of academic and administrative support. The staff in the Office of the Provost support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University’s deans, directors, and department chairs, the Office of the Provost provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work. Job Information Job Summary: The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools seeks as an Interim Director an experienced, steady, and mission-driven educational leader to steward the Lab Schools through a vital period of reflection and transition, offering leadership and clarity as the community prepares for its next Director. The Interim Director will work in partnership with the University and Lab Schools leadership. Reporting to the Office of the President of the University of Chicago, the Interim Director will work in close alignment with University leadership and the Laboratory Schools Board, which functions in an advisory capacity, to support Lab’s mission and ensure institutional continuity. This is a distinct opportunity for a thoughtful leader who is inspired by the possibilities that this unique organizational structure and environment present as they guide one of the nation’s most respected independent schools through a period of evaluation, stabilization, and, where needed—renewal. The successful Interim Director will be a seasoned educational leader with a track record of institutional leadership in complex school settings. The Interim Director will bring wisdom, emotional intelligence, and a calm, principled presence to the role. Responsibilities: Maintaining the momentum of the Laboratory Schools’ academic excellence and student-centered mission, ensuring high-quality teaching, learning, and community life. Working in close partnership with the Office of the President and other University leaders, Laboratory Schools leadership and faculty, and the Board of the Laboratory Schools to strengthen and maintain alignment on policy, operations, governance, values, and strategic priorities. Bringing strong leadership to bear where there is lack of clarity and upholding high expectations across the community. Providing support to the Laboratory Schools administrative team while partnering constructively with the union representing the Laboratory Schools’ faculty to foster a collegial and purposeful professional environment. Successfully completing the ongoing ISACS reaccreditation process and facilitating continuity of the LabVision strategic planning process. Serving as an accessible and transparent communicator with students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni. Collaborating with University and Laboratory Schools leaders to facilitate the search for a permanent Director and ensuring continuity in key areas. Competencies: The confidence and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite alternative perspectives, welcome feedback, and engage in challenging conversations with grace. Capacity to keep pace with a highly intellectual and high achieving community.The ability to communicate with inspiration and clarity across a wide range of audiences. Adaptability, flexibility, creativity, and commitment to working in a spirit of shared success. Personal and professional alignment with the school’s mission and its commitment to intellectual curiosity, progressive education, and respect for all learners. Appreciation for University of Chicago’s distinct culture, core values, and commitment to fostering an environment that champions free and open discourse, diversity and inclusion, and supporting the community in Chicago and beyond. The ability to articulate vision and strategy and the tactical skills necessary to manage the systems and processes necessary to implement strategy. Additional Responsibilities Education, Experience, or Certifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Experience: A deep understanding of and appreciation for the joys and compelling qualities of a multidivisional school and substantial experience leading in a large and complex educational organization, required. Demonstrated ability to lead through transition, providing continuity while addressing challenges forthrightly, honoring multiple perspectives, and upholding the highest standards of integrity, required. Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, and retaining talented, broadly diverse, and mission-aligned faculty, required. Depth of experience in curriculum, instruction, and school operations, required. Experience working in partnership with a highly engaged and diverse parent community, required. Required Documents: Resume/CV Cover Letter 3 Professional References When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Senior Administrators Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Frequency Monthly Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $600,000.00 - $750,000.00 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. 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. 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. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/

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