UChicago

Director of Events and Operations

Chicago, IL Full time

Department

CSL Rockefeller Chapel


About the Department

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel is the ceremonial and spiritual center of the University of Chicago. With a capacity of 1,500 people, it is the largest performing arts venue on campus, producing a variety of concerts and events for the University and wider Chicago communities. The chapel partners with academic departments to present large-scale programming, including visits of major speakers. The 150-capacity Bond Chapel is the site of ceremonial, spiritual, academic, and artistic events suited to a more intimate venue, managed by Rockefeller Chapel.


Job Summary

The director of events and operations oversees all programming within Rockefeller and Bond Chapels, producing a wide array of artistic, spiritual, academic, and ceremonial events. Working closely with the Dean and Rockefeller Chapel and Spiritual Life staff, the director of events and operations maintains and expands the range of chapel programming, fosters collaboration throughout the university, and supervises administrative and events personnel. Reporting to the dean of Rockefeller Chapel, the director of events and operations has the following responsibilities.

Responsibilities

  • Oversees the intake, logistics, and execution of all events in Rockefeller and Bond Chapels.

  • Works with the operations manager to assess budgetary needs for the various areas in the department while ensuring that lines of communication are clear and effective.

  • Hires, trains, and manages administrative and events-related professional and student staff, which includes a full-time events associate and operations manager.

  • Develops strong and lasting collaborations with University departments, institutes, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and with non-University partners.

  • Serves as the primary liaison for Rockefeller Chapel on university-wide committees.

  • Collaborates in developing strategic plans, identifying organizational strengths and weaknesses.

  • Oversees calendar and space management, program assessment and reporting.

  • Keeps apprised of developments related to current and future programming.

  • Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures, and ensures adherence to University objectives, policies, and guidelines.

  • May assist in the development and management of event budgets. Reviews post event feedback and analyses and determines actions to improve the success of future events.

  • Manages contract negotiations and the selection of vendors. Works to maintain and improve relationships with vendors and service providers.

  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.


Work Experience:

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


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Master's degree.

Experience:

  • Proven track record of supervising and training both professional and student staff.

  • Superior written and verbal communication skills consummate with employment in a top-ranked research university.

  • Ability to exercise independent judgment and work effectively within a highly diverse team.

  • Temperament to collaborate with a demanding client base and to cultivate lasting relationships with diverse constituencies.

Preferred Competencies

  • Demonstrate a high level of independence while also working well as part of a team.

  • Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Possesses emotional intelligence and sensitivity when interacting with students, patrons, and fellow staff.

  • Fosters an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for cultural diversity.

  • Exhibits resilience and decisiveness; creatively and effectively allocates resources in a fast-paced, live performance environment.

  • Demonstrates knowledge and respect for Rockefeller Chapel's history and mission; works effectively within organizational dynamics.

Working Conditions

  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds of furniture/equipment unaided.

  • Ability to climb 271 steps to the carillon tower.

  • Must be able to move between buildings, including during inclement weather.

  • Must be able to climb up and down stairs regularly without use of an elevator.

Application Documents

  • Resume (required)

  • Cover Letter (required)


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Communications


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


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$95,000.00 - $110,000.00

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.