Assistant Director of Operations

Assistant Director of Operations University of Chicago – Chicago, IL. Pay Range $61,000 – $67,000 per year. Department CSL Student Centers: Event Services Operations About the Department The Student Centers serve as the core community building and special events spaces at the University of Chicago. These centers play a formative role in the Campus and Student Life goal of creating a comprehensive and integrated network of services that support the academic mission and facilitate student learning, engagement, and success. Job Summary Reporting to the Associate Director, Building Services, the Assistant Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing the day‑to‑day operational functions and service coordination for Ida Noyes Hall, Reynolds Club, Bartlett Hall (1st floor), and Mandel Hall. The role maintains departmental resources, coordinates facility maintenance and custodial care, and serves as liaison with facility services and contractors. The incumbent interfaces with building partners, interacts with clients, and provides customer service during events. This includes supervising the Event Service Worker (ESW) team (5 full‑time employees) and the student building managers (25 part‑time employees). Regular schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 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 track distribution of keys. Oversee allocation and management of student group storage. Observe and report any security issues or irregularities in and around facilities in the Student Centers portfolio. Successfully execute all reservations and events across the 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 or 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, including facilities union and/or non‑union staff. Perform other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications College or university degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Education Bachelor’s Degree. Experience 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. Ability to understand the needs of the University of Chicago community and work with students, faculty, and staff in a wide array of situations. Technical Skills Or Knowledge 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. Preferred Competencies 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. Working Conditions Candidate 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. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover Letter (preferred) List of Three Professional References (preferred) Employment Details Job Family: Facilities 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: $61,000 – $67,000 Benefits Eligible: Yes 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 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr