Senior Academic Affairs Specialist

Department

BSD OAA - Office of Academic Affairs

The University of Chicago biomedical enterprise houses three entities: the Biological Sciences Division (BSD), the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), and the Pritzker School of Medicine. Collectively called UCM, we are one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions and have been at the forefront of discovery, education, and clinical care since 1927. Located 20 minutes south of downtown Chicago, our Hyde Park main campus provides a single environment for learning, world‑renowned basic science and clinical research, and outstanding clinical care.

The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV).

The BSD Office of Academic Affairs is part of the BSD Office of the Dean. OAA supports the lifecycle of academic appointees including searches, academic appointments, reappointments, promotions, tenure recommendations, leaves, departures and retirement. OAA also provides interpretation of academic criteria and supports academic policy development, among other roles. OAA works closely with divisional and departmental leaders and administrative staff, including the Office of Faculty Affairs, as well as with other administrative units on campus such as the Office of the Provost, Office of Legal Counsel, Staff Benefits, Payroll Office, and the Medical Staff Office to provide timely and complete guidance and support for BSD academic human resource management.

The job provides professional research and recommendations in the development and implementation of faculty support programs.

The University of Chicago’s Biological Sciences Division (BSD), Office of Academic Affairs, seeks a Senior Academic Affairs Specialist. This position will focus on academic case management, supporting the preparation, review, and submission of academic appointment, reappointment, and/or promotion cases. The Senior Academic Affairs Specialist will partner with individual academic affairs specialists and the Director of Academic Affairs to provide review of academic cases in a timely manner and in compliance with University and divisional guidelines.

They will be responsible for managing multiple competing priorities, interacting cordially and professionally with diverse stakeholders, and ensuring confidentiality of the review process. They will also assist in anticipating issues and solving complex problems that may arise during the review process. In addition, The Senior Academic Affairs Specialist will provide feedback to develop and improve tools, standards, and practices that support and streamline the submission of academic cases.

The Senior Academic Affairs Specialist will also play a key role in training and providing support to individual academic affairs specialists across the BSD.

The Senior Academic Affairs Specialist is expected to develop and maintain strong working relationships with several key University areas including: BSD administration, Provost Office, Medical Staff Office and the Office of International Affairs. The Senior Academic Affairs Specialist will represent the Department’s interests and perspectives in a positive and vigorous fashion in order to continually improve academic affairs related processes.

Academic Appointment Process

• Assumes comprehensive responsibility for the review, assembly, and submission of materials in support of divisional appointive actions.
• In consultation with Director of Academic Affairs, reviews and suggests edits to appointment case documentation.
• In consultation with Senior Director and Academic Dean, develops and implements appointment and promotion case scheduling strategy.
• Develops and implements enhancements for academic process.
• Serves as a resource to academic affairs administrators on University policy and process matters and on BSD’s academic guidelines.

Communication and…