Director, Policing Leadership Academy

Department

UL Crime Ed Lab Program Directors

About the Department

Who We Are
Cities across the country face high rates of gun violence, under-resourced schools, and social harms associated with the criminal justice system -- all of which disproportionately impact people of color. These inequalities have profound consequences on public safety and opportunity. As a society we have failed to address these challenges, in part, because of our lack of understanding of the most effective and cost-effective solutions that can have a real impact on people’s lives. We believe that rigorous research can help.

The Crime Lab team works in close partnership with cities and communities to create impact at scale for residents of America’s cities, especially for those facing the most severe implications of inequality and racism. We conduct research to meet the highest standards of quality and rigor, and we share our results broadly to generate measurable social good in communities.
Our mission is to combine world-class data science and research, in partnership with government agencies, to substantially improve the effectiveness of the public sector and achieve impact at scale.

The Role
The Policing Leadership Academy (PLA) at the Crime Lab is a cohort-based, in-person educational program for mid-career police professionals. In the United States, when police officers are promoted into supervisory ranks, they get little to no training in management and leadership – despite research demonstrating that improved management in policing can lead to improved violence outcomes, lower uses of force, improved officer morale and improved community satisfaction. The PLA focuses on teaching police leaders at the commander level – that is, those responsible for all of the officers in a geographic area like a districk or precinct – who serve in the country’s most violent geographies. The PLA Is currently being rigorously evaluated through a randomized controlled trial, and is halfway through a research demonstration period.

The PLA is part of the Community Safety Leadership Academies (CSLA), which includes a second academy, the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) that focuses on providing management and leadership training to CVI leaders from around the country.
The University of Chicago Crime Lab is seeking a full-time Director to join a team of nationally-renowned subject matter experts an an internal team of approximately four full-time staff. The Director will be responsible for the day to day management, operations, and strategic leadership of the PLA.

Job Summary

The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for the administration of academic, research, clinical or administrative programs of the University.

Responsibilities

• Leads an innovative, research based, national educational endeavor which reflects innovative thinking and results in capacity enhancement and improvement in policing.
• Serves as a principal advisor to the Executive Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab, as well as the Faculty Director on all phases of business management involved in operating the PLA.
• Manages up to four full-time staff.
• In consultation with Crime Lab senior leadership, develop and execute a strategic vision for the PLA’s management, operational, and administrative functions while ensuring compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal laws as well as University policies. Establish clear metrics and benchmarks for measuring the successful implementation of short-term and long-term goals associated with this strategic vision.
• Develops and executes strategy for the long-term sustainability of PLA operations, including decisions regarding program location and structure, staffing, and funding.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, rigor, and intellectual curiosity.
• Retains the necessary 30-40 instructors for each PLA cohort of 35 students, in collaboration with engaged subject matter experts and PLA program and research staff.
• Oversees selection of participants for each PLA cohort, in collaboration with engaged subject matter experts and PLA program and research staff.
• Primarily responsible for efforts to engage federal policymakers in the PLA and secure federal funding for PLA.
• Manages an annual budget for research and operations of approximately 6 million dollars.
• Creates and executes a strategic vision for engaging PLA’s growing alumni network.
• Responsible for directing and supervising the financial management, workforce planning, management analysis, information technology management, general administrative management, and adherence to professional ethics of the PLA.
• With Founding Executive Director, responsible for fundraising to ensure ongoing financial solvency of PLA. This includes identifying and executing on government funding opportunities.
• In the remaining 3 years of the research demonstration project, balance the project’s research priorities with the operational priorities of the program and the goal of ongoing sustainability, in consultation with engaged subject matter experts and PLA program and research staff.
• Responsible for the PLA client success strategy and pedagogy. As needed and appropriate, delivers classroom instruction.
• Conducts programmatic reviews, evaluations, or reviews of PLA’s internal and external activities. Reviews work products, assessing organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and implementing procedures to improve organizational performance. Directs resources where appropriate process and system changes are needed to continuously improve the stakeholder experience.
• Works collaboratively with PLA’s subject matter experts to maintain cutting-edge, world class curriculum and instruction, including  identifying instructors, subject matter and learning opportunities for PLA.
• Analyzes, plans, organizes, directs, and adjusts the functions of the PLA, as needed; and supervise, mentor, motivate, and appraise a diverse staff of an organization through subordinate supervisors to meet the PLA objectives timely and within budget.
• Ensures transparency and openness in external and internal communications regarding the activities of the PLA.
• Engages with the Policing Leadership Academy Advisory Committee members and ensure they are apprised of the progress and activities of the PLA. Maintain collaborative mechanisms for the PLA to receive the Advisory Committee’s contributions regarding the PLA’s program content, policies, public relations, and other areas were committee members expertise may be needed.
• Creates and maintains strong relationships with prospective and participating PLA departments, acting as primary point of contact between police departments and the PLA, especially focused on outreach to chiefs.
• Coordinates PLA initiative with representatives of foreign, state and municipal governments, as well as with other Federal agencies, industry, academic and private organizations with a shared mission and vision as the PLA.
• Represents the PLA in formal and informal interactions with high-level internal and external stakeholders.
• Serves as liaison to mayors/city managers of cities participating in the PLA and to international organizations engaged with the PLA, as well as to Federal agencies and all major organizations with a public-safety focus.
• Contributes to the development and amplification of the PLA story with the Crime Lab Public Affairs team in meetings as necessary. Assist in the creation of innovative communications campaigns, engaging in public activities, and direct relationships with academic institutions, community organizations, government representatives, and industry partnerships.
• When seeking new partnerships, prioritizes the advancement of education, public safety, and justice
• Manages program operations and administrative functions to include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
• Recommends program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
• 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:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in public policy or law.

Experience:

• Significant supervisory experience including hiring, training, and performance management.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research environment.
• Ability to lead new, evolving initiatives.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and comfort interacting with a variety of colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage large-scale projects towards a successful outcome.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large budget and fundraising operations, with primary responsibility for overseeing fiscal health of a project.
• Must be a resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker; must be proactive in leveraging opportunities, and in anticipating and averting problems.
• Ideal candidate will have a passion for the work and mission of the University of Chicago Crime Lab including an appreciation of the value of rigorous research and data analysis in advancing both public policies and the public’s understanding of these issues.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Administration & Management

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

$250,000.00 - $325,000.00

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.