Executive Director, Becker Friedman Institute for Economics

Department
BFI - Administration
About the Department
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) serves as a hub for cutting-edge analysis and research across the entire University of Chicago economics community, uniting researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School in an unparalleled effort to uncover new ways of thinking about economics. We put those ideas into action by translating rigorous research into accessible and relevant formats, and proactively disseminating it to key decision-makers around the world.
Job Summary
The Executive Director position is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing and directing the overall operations and strategic initiatives of the Becker Friedman Institute, encompassing multiple faculty-led research initiatives and programs. This role is highly focused on setting and implementing goals for the Institute, identifying growth opportunities, and overseeing the Institute's internal operations and external engagement encompassing finance, human resources, operations, communications, events, and academic programs. The optimal candidate will exhibit a proven record in program management, partnership development, policy engagement, global engagement, and staff management to promote operational excellence. This role will offer a chance to collaborate directly with a network of prominent academics and policy makers, contributing the advancement of economics research across the University of Chicago economics community.

Responsibilities

- Works with BFI faculty leadership to develop and execute a strategy for advancing BFI’s two core objectives: (1) investing in and supporting faculty research; and (2) communicating research findings to the broader marketplace of ideas in media and policy.
- Responsible for the successful functioning of all BFI programs, including research, outreach, events and conferences, the BFI visitor program, pre- and post-doctoral fellowship programs.
- Recruits, leads and inspires a team of professionals across multiple skillsets, from grants, HR, and finance to events and communications, who successfully advance BFI’s mission.
- Provides strategic direction, overseeing the effective implementation of new initiatives through comprehensive management and guidance.
- Works with BFI staff to develop new programs and tools to highlight and advance the research outputs of the Chicago economics community, BFI research initiatives, and BFI programs.
- Takes a leadership role in liaising with donors and potential development partners, representing the Institute's strategic and philanthropic objectives.
- Acts as the chief ambassador of BFI to University leadership, fostering collaborative relationships and effectively communicating the Institute's mission and initiatives.
- Serves as a liaison to academic, research, and administrative units within the division and of the University.
- Oversees day-to-day operations of BFI, including all departments, initiatives, and programs, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of the Institute and compliance with applicable University policies in HR and finance.
- Works with associate directors and senior managers to continuously identify and execute policies and systems for effective operations of the Institute.
- Manages employees through subordinates, usually other managers. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
- Working with the faculty and staff leadership, leads stakeholder engagement efforts for BFI, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including academia, industry leaders, community organizations, and government bodies, to strengthen relationships and support the institute's objectives.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with key stakeholders, including the BFI Advisory Council, staff, partners, and donors. Represents the organization at public events and fosters a positive public image.
- Establishes and nurtures relationships with key partners in governments, non-profits, foundations, multilateral aid agencies, and the private sector, fostering collaborative initiatives and advancing the institute's mission and goal.
- Working with faculty leadership and development staff, formulates and implements innovative fundraising strategies, aligning them with organizational objectives, to secure crucial financial support for the mission and initiatives of the organization.
- Fosters meaningful and enduring relationships with donors, sponsors, and supporters through personalized engagement strategies, ensuring a deep understanding of their philanthropic interests and maintaining a connection that encourages continued financial backing for the organization's mission and initiatives.
- Leads the planning and execution of comprehensive development initiatives, exploring diverse fundraising avenues, and staying abreast of industry trends to optimize fundraising effectiveness and contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.
- Directs and inspires multifunctional teams encompassing finance, events, HR, communications, operations, and academic programs, aligning their efforts with the overarching goals and strategic vision of the institute.
- Oversees seamless coordination and collaboration among teams, ensuring that operational activities are efficiently executed across finance, events, HR, communications, operations, and academic programs. Fosters an integrated approach to achieve organizational objectives.
- Provides strategic guidance to each team, facilitating the development and implementation of new programs as well as professional growth and development. Fosters an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and excellence within finance, events, HR, communications, operations, and academic programs.
- Implements performance evaluation mechanisms to assess team effectiveness and individual contributions. Continuously seeks opportunities for process improvement, innovation, and optimization across all functional areas, promoting a culture of excellence and goal attainment.
- Provides leadership and direction through managers. Establishes budgetary plans, policies and protocols to enhance the central pedagogical mission and operational goals.
- Directs all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement. Oversees facilities management, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations. Manages development of all contracts, including those with vendors and other institutions.
- 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 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education :

- Advanced degree, Master's or Ph.D., in a relevant field such as economics, business administration, public policy, or a related discipline.

Experience :

- 8-10 years of experience in a leadership role, preferably as an executive director or in a senior management position within a research institute.
- Proven track record of successfully leading and managing diverse teams in areas such as finance, events, HR, communications, operations, and academic programs.
- Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, and implementation of initiatives that align with the mission and goals of an institute.
- Understanding of fundraising and development, with a successful history of cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, and supporters.
- Strong background in stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government entities, non-profits, foundations, multilateral aid agencies, and the private sector.
- Knowledge of and experience in the field of economics or the specific focus area of the Institute, with a solid understanding of current trends, issues, and best practices.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to represent the institute effectively to various stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, and the broader community.
- Background working on an international scale and a deep understanding of the global economic landscape.

Preferred Competencies

- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Communicate to large groups as well as one-on- one with students, senior management, faculty, alumni, and others.
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
- Prioritize, delegate, and manage effectively.
- Understand and communicate research goals and progress.
- Work under pressure.
- Demonstrated background in leadership, highly self-directed and skilled at managing and motivating staff.
- Demonstrated success in navigating the challenges of working within a complex, decentralized environment.
- Exposure to, and an understanding of, an academically rigorous research university environment.
- Use of analytical and problem-solving skills to exercise sound, self-motivated, independent decisions.
- Successfully manage a workload which balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing a busy operation.
- Knowledge of local and national philanthropic communities and cultural institutions.

Working Conditions

- Travel domestically and internationally.
- Work some evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

- Resume/CV (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

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
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FLSA Status
Exempt
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Pay Range
$216,000.00 - $236,000.00
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.

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