Director of Operations, STARS College Network

About the Department

ESA Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Advancement. Working in collaboration with the Office of College Admissions at the University of Chicago, the STARS College Network partners with top colleges to ensure that students from rural and small‑town America have the information and support they need to enroll and graduate from the college or university of their choice.

Working in collaboration with the Office of College Admissions at the University of Chicago, the STARS College Network partners with top colleges to ensure that students from rural and small‑town America have the information and support they need to enroll and graduate from the college or university of their choice. The Director of Operations and high school programming oversees all administrative aspects of the STARS College Network and collaborates across the network and the University to develop programming to support the college aspirations of rural and small town high school students.

Directly supporting University priorities, the Director of Operations and high school programming sets high‑level strategy for the network, engages in fundraising, and ensures all network members can successfully reach its goals. In addition, the Director is responsible for budget goal‑setting, tracking and planning. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced and rapidly changing environment with a record of success in complex, decentralized environments where collaboration and coalition‑building are critical to success.

• Designs implementation strategies for goals and priorities set by the Division Vice President and network donors.
• Works closely with the Vice President and ESA leadership team members on network policy planning and strategy.
• Manages donor gifts that fund the STARS network, collaborating across the Division and with the University Resources office to ensure donor expectations are met.
• Represents the network at internal and external meetings in areas of expertise.
• Manages and provides oversight for four STARS college advisers at the University of Chicago and all college advisers at member universities and colleges.
• Develops and oversees all high‑school programming in collaboration with the Vice President, ESA leadership, the Executive Director of STARS, and the board of advisors for the network.
• Manages strategic planning and goal‑setting for the STARS Network budget.
• Sets high‑level policy and strategic priorities for student recruitment across the network.
• Leads the development and administration of programming for college preparation teams, also managing program evaluation and documentation.
• Develops the program budget.
• Develops, oversees, and evaluates education outreach programs and related community relations strategies.
• Serves as a program liaison to establish partnerships with national, state, and local organizations.
• Facilitates the development and coordination of academic and co‑curricular partnerships with University divisions, departments, charter schools, and other community agencies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

• Education:
  
  College or university degree in a related field.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of 7+ years of work experience in a related discipline, with knowledge and skills developed therein.
• Certifications:
  
  None specified.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience:
  
  Progressive admissions experience; K‑12 college counseling and preparatory programming development.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge:
  Proficient in Microsoft Office.

• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Presentation skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Some travel. Work will take place in an office setting or remotely; during work‑related travel, on‑ and off‑campus events, and application review season.

Salary Range: $ – $.

Eligible. 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…