Executive Director

Executive Director for Chicago Center for Computational Social Science

The Chicago Center for Computational Social Science (C3S2) — informally known as "the Cube" — is a new strategic initiative within UChicago's Division of the Social Sciences. C3S2 consolidates the University's diverse CSS programs (MACSS, the CSS Ph.D. certificate, the undergraduate CSS minor, CSDS, and the CSS Workshop) into a single hub spanning 20+ departments and labs, organized around three core arms: Research, Education, and Engagement. Its dual mission is to advance social science through computation and to examine AI and computation as social phenomena in their own right. More information and Cube website can be found here.

The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for leadership within a Center and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations, and administrative units of the University. Has overall responsibility for the management, operations, financial, outreach, and programming for the center. The Executive Director (ED) will lead all operational aspects of C3S2, translating an ambitious intellectual vision into institutional reality. The ED is charged with generating and overseeing a diversified financial portfolio — external grants (donors, philanthropic foundations, NSF, NIH, DoD/DoE), industry partnerships, and indirect cost recovery — with a five-year goal of full self-sufficiency. Working closely with Faculty Co-Directors James Evans (Knowledge Lab) and Marc Berman (Environmental Neuroscience Lab), the Executive Committee, and an External Advisory Board, the ED serves as the Center's primary operational strategist, fundraiser, external liaison, and community builder across the social sciences and other divisions and units. The Executive Director will also be subject to oversight and maintain a reporting relationship with the Dean's Office through the Chief of Staff/Associate Dean. As the Executive Director, this role provides an opportunity to be a part of a new strategic initiative, while benefiting from the deep institutional infrastructure of the University of Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement fundraising strategy with donors, philanthropic foundations, industry partners and public funders (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD/DoE). Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, and institutional partners.
• Partner with faculty and MACSS co-directors on developing annual priorities and a three-year implementation roadmap.
• Support MACSS professors in the launch of the new undergraduate CSS major, expanded MACSS tracks, doctoral CSS certificate, GIScience Minor, and possible partial or complete overseas (e.g., Hong Kong, Beijing) versions of UChicago degrees.
• Development and cultivation of strategic partnerships with key units at the University of Chicago, including the Data Science Institute, the Polsky Center, the College, and other academic divisions and schools.
• Use best practices to develop and execute organization's operational and overall strategic plan. Develops and implements relevant policies and procedures and ensures compliance.
• The ED is charged with generating and overseeing a diversified financial portfolio-external grants (donors, philanthropic foundations, NSF, NIH, DoD/DoE), industry partnerships, and indirect cost recovery-with a five-year goal of full-self-sufficiency.
• Develop industry partnerships (e.g., Google, Microsoft, etc.) and civic partnerships (e.g., City of Chicago, Department of Transportation, etc.) through sponsored research agreements, data-sharing MOUs, internships and fellows-in-residence programs.
• Develop collaborations with national and international universities to develop joint initiatives for research and pedagogy.
• Advise Social Science Division leadership on computational needs of affiliates.
• Lead and executes communications for C3S2 and elevates news of affiliates.
• Plan, manage and execute C3S2's signature events — colloquia and workshop series, a summer institute (with SISRM and SICSS), open house, and annual capstone activities related to AI.
• Build and manage a unified C3S2 identity through a coordinated web portal, online engagement with digital and AI tools, events calendar, and a new newsletter and working-paper series.
• Lead cross-disciplinary research initiatives and co-mentored student projects.
• Provide executive-level management of C3S2's budget, human resources, and administrative operations.
• Oversee financial management across all revenue streams.
• Provide leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
• Facilitate leadership review by the Advisory Committee.
• In partnership with colleagues, structure, recruit, and organize an Advisory Board of eminent internal and external professionals to assist with the development and continual refinement of strategic focus and implementation tactics.
• Maintain compliance with University policies and sponsor requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance organizational culture.
• Lead the coordination of space facilities and equipment, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required to support the Center's engagements with prospective sites and partners.
• Provides leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
• Manages related teams. Establishes department priorities, may be responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's or Ph.D. in a social science, computational field, or related area.
• Familiarity with the intellectual landscape of computational social science — including AI, large-scale data methods, and their intersection with social theory — is a significant advantage.

Experience:

• 7+ years in research administration, center management, or academic program leadership of comparable scope and complexity, with demonstrated experience in sponsored program administration (federal and private foundation grants).
• Track record in fundraising and partnership development with industry, government agencies, or foundations.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Background working in or alongside interdisciplinary research environments spanning social and computational sciences.
• Facility with research administration systems and computational environments.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic thinker who can translate bold intellectual vision into concrete plans and measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional communicator — equally fluent with faculty, foundation officers, government partners, and students.
• Strong independent judgment and comfort with ambiguity.
• Genuine curiosity about computation, social science, and the questions at their intersection.

Working Conditions

• This is an in-person position (not remote). Standard office environment at the East Wing of 1155 East 60th Street, co-located with Knowledge Lab, the Center for Spatial Data Science, and MACSS.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• Three professional references (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

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

$165,000.00 - $201,000.00

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