University of Chicago · 2 months ago
Assistant Director of Operations
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$61K/yr - $67K/yr
5+ years expThe University of Chicago is a prestigious institution seeking an Assistant Director of Operations for their Student Centers. This role involves overseeing daily operations, managing facility maintenance, supervising staff, and ensuring a high level of customer service during events.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Ensure the cleanliness and functionality of facilities and equipment within the Student Centers portfolio. Perform routine inspections, coordinate building maintenance, work orders, and custodial care with facility services, and create housekeeping projects for the Event Services Workers
Maintain inventory of furniture, fixtures, equipment, and supplies. Manage facility access via CBORD and tracking and distribution of keys
Oversee allocation and management of student group storage
Observe and report any security issues/irregularities in and around facilities in the Student Centers portfolio
Successfully execute all reservations and events across Student Centers portfolio. Meet weekly with Student Center staff to review event schedule and collect event details
Coordinate internal resources for event facilitation; room set-ups, staff coverage, audio /visual equipment, and external rental equipment
Create and distribute daily assignments to Event Services Workers and Building Managers
Perform daily inspections of event set-ups, breakdowns, and changeover duties required per diagrams, checklists, or instructions. Lock and unlock event spaces as needed, according to the facility and event schedule
Supervise Event Services Workers (ESW) and Student Building Managers
Manage employee schedules using the university attendance system, including approval of personal/vacation requests
Hire and train Event Service Workers and Student Building Managers
Facilitate ongoing training opportunities for student building managers
Work with the Associate Director and Human Resources staff to handle all employment and performance concerns, consistent with the bargaining unit contract, where applicable
Provide after-hours consultation to ESW and Building Manager teams in the case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstance
Provide customer service to all users of the Student Centers and serve as liaison to building partners, facility services, and their contractors
Interact with clients in preparation for and during the course of an event. Report and respond to any facility concerns that may affect an event
Interact with customers, including high-profile, prominent University administrators and guests
Assist and advise staff and customers in making last-minute changes to event set-ups
Serve as a member of the Student Centers staff and assist with various office programs and projects
This includes consulting and collaborating with the Associate Director of Building Services and fulfilling other duties as assigned with the Student Centers portfolio
Supervises inspections of buildings, equipment, and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems. Reviews and authorizes written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions
Coordinates with staff from other units and supervises the work of contractors, as well as facilities union and/or non-union staff
Performs other related work as needed
Qualification
Required
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline
Ensure the cleanliness and functionality of facilities and equipment within the Student Centers portfolio
Perform routine inspections, coordinate building maintenance, work orders, and custodial care with facility services, and create housekeeping projects for the Event Services Workers
Maintain inventory of furniture, fixtures, equipment, and supplies
Manage facility access via CBORD and tracking and distribution of keys
Oversee allocation and management of student group storage
Observe and report any security issues/irregularities in and around facilities in the Student Centers portfolio
Successfully execute all reservations and events across Student Centers portfolio
Meet weekly with Student Center staff to review event schedule and collect event details
Coordinate internal resources for event facilitation; room set-ups, staff coverage, audio /visual equipment, and external rental equipment
Create and distribute daily assignments to Event Services Workers and Building Managers
Perform daily inspections of event set-ups, breakdowns, and changeover duties required per diagrams, checklists, or instructions
Lock and unlock event spaces as needed, according to the facility and event schedule
Supervise Event Services Workers (ESW) and Student Building Managers
Manage employee schedules using the university attendance system, including approval of personal/vacation requests
Hire and train Event Service Workers and Student Building Managers
Facilitate ongoing training opportunities for student building managers
Work with the Associate Director and Human Resources staff to handle all employment and performance concerns, consistent with the bargaining unit contract, where applicable
Provide after-hours consultation to ESW and Building Manager teams in the case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstance
Provide customer service to all users of the Student Centers and serve as liaison to building partners, facility services, and their contractors
Interact with clients in preparation for and during the course of an event
Report and respond to any facility concerns that may affect an event
Interact with customers, including high-profile, prominent University administrators and guests
Assist and advise staff and customers in making last-minute changes to event set-ups
Serve as a member of the Student Centers staff and assist with various office programs and projects
Consult and collaborate with the Associate Director of Building Services and fulfill other duties as assigned with the Student Centers portfolio
Supervise inspections of buildings, equipment, and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems
Review and authorize written reports summarizing findings and recommend solutions
Coordinate with staff from other units and supervise the work of contractors, as well as facilities union and/or non-union staff
Must have flexibility to work various hours and must be willing to work some evenings and weekends
Must be able to lift and carry 40 lbs
Some locations within our facility are only accessible by stairs and ladders. Must be able to access these spaces
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Two years of experience in a progressively responsible work environment
Previous work in a student union, event venue, or hotel setting is strongly preferred
Experience supervising full or part-time staff and/or supervision of union employees
The ability to understand the needs of the University of Chicago community and work with students, faculty, and staff in a wide array of situations
Experience with computers, including Windows and Microsoft Office
Experience with basic audio/visual systems, including projectors and sound systems, or a technical comfort level that would allow for easy learning of these systems
Demonstrated success in working with diverse student populations
Excellent oral and written communication skills and an ability to cultivate and manage strong relationships is a must
Candidate must possess excellent customer service skills and excellent interpersonal skills
Cover Letter (preferred)
List of Three Professional References (preferred)
Benefits
Health, retirement, and paid time off
Company
University of Chicago
One of the world’s great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Chicago has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (341)
2024 (318)
2023 (285)
2022 (233)
2021 (179)
2020 (172)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Benedicte Nolens
Distinguished Executive in Residence
Recent News
2025-11-08
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