Job Description

Department 

HUM Staff: COSAS - Administration

About the Department 

The Committee on Southern Asian Studies (COSAS) is an interdisciplinary unit that brings together faculty and students from schools and divisions across the University in pursuit of scholarship in South Asia. COSAS funds research and programming for faculty and provides funding opportunities for graduate students. COSAS also organizes a regular series of events around myriad topics relevant to the region.

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Manager, Programs and Operations is responsible for supporting the logistical planning and support of programs such as COSAS-sponsored events (Committee on Southern Asian Studies), conferences, lectures, and guest lectures; manages the website; manages COSAS’ social media; manages COSAS’s new newsletter; implements the fellowship process and the new Graduate Student Research Fund; supports the Associate Director in short and long-term programmatic and administrative goals; including support for several new large-scale grant initiatives in COSAS; and delegates work to graduate and student workers to support them with these projects, taking into account newly expanded student worker roles. The Manager works with the Local Business Center in Social Sciences and Humanities divisional staff to maintain day-to-day operations and with managing procurements of the COSAS budget.

Applicants: Please ensure all required documents as listed in the Required Documents section below are attached.

This position is eligible for hybrid work.

 

Responsibilities

• Serves as first point of contact for inquiries to the Committee. Interacts with faculty, researchers and staff for Committee work or information.
• Develops and maintains efficient systems and policies for internal communications collaborating with Committee-affiliated faculty, staff, students and other members of the university community.
• Coordinates with internal and external units to perform day to day responsibilities as needed.
• Uses general understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Manages logistics for events including communications activities; manages student workers’ publicity/media development, including flyers, brochures, and pamphlets needed for events; coordinates the audio or video recordings of events if requested by guests; assists in the organization and staffing of COSAS events as needed, including working occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Directs the ongoing development of the web presence of the center and committee, keeping the site updated.
• Manages COSAS’ social media presence, including YouTube recordings and Facebook posts and event updates. Manages newsletter content.
• Supports Associate Director in developing new funding proposals and grant reports and provides additional support as needed.
• Initiates financial disbursements and procurement, working closely with the SSD Local Business Center; manages regularized maintenance of office equipment and keeps all machines functioning and stocked.
• Manages operations with LBC for many new initiatives such as Non-COSAS Members Grant, BA Prize, Undergraduate Research Grant, and Ho Family Foundation Grant.
• Manages all GEMs transactions for COSAS; serves as GEMs delegate for Associate Director.
• Manages the student fellowship online application process. Manages the Graduate Student Research Fund.
• Manages daily office operations and performs bulk of administrative duties, directly or by training and managing student workers.
• Oversees HR-related activities for student workers, including new Media/Events Assistant and Special Projects Assistant, both with expanded duties.
• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Analyzes program budgets and uses a moderate/high level of authority to recommend or makes budgetary recommendations.
• 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 < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• At least two years office management experience.
• Supervisory, management, or leadership understanding.
• Conducting research-related activities in a humanistic or social scientific field.
• Exposure to higher education work environment supporting faculty and students.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Analyze data to discover patterns which would enhance the mission of the Committee.
• Social media and website content management.
• Write clearly and succinctly.
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills. 
• Writing academic content.
• Financial management systems.
• Understanding of university endowments/grants.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

 

Preferred Competencies

• Respond clearly and knowledgeably to inquiries about the Committee and related University of Chicago programs.
• Maintain positive relationships and communications with Committee-affiliated constituencies.
• Good organizational and human relations skills.
• Collaborate well and supportively in a small staff.
• Properly identify and adjust priorities while executing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Carry out roles and responsibilities to the fullest and within the goals of the Committee.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Flexibility to adapt to organizational changes and continue professional training.

 

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Work occasional weekends and evenings.
• Manage physical requirements needed to host events.
• Occasional set up/cleanup for events including moving, pushing, pulling, lifting items up to 25 lbs.

 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Letter of Interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

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