Department

ESA External Relations 2

About the Department

Career Advancement serves a student population of approximately 7,000 arts and sciences undergraduate students, in addition to alumni who have graduated within the last five years. Career Advancement plays a vital role in ensuring our students’ success after graduation. Career Advancement offers innovative and comprehensive career development services with a focus on pre-professional preparation, experiential education, and opportunities. Through career advising, programs, and comprehensive resources, Career Advancement supports undergraduate students and alumni as they develop the skills necessary to manage their career development, while working with alumni and employers to provide students with meaningful opportunities. For more information, please visit the Career Advancement website at careeradvancement.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Experiential Education, the Assistant Director of Experiential Education will be responsible for managing critical operational functions within Career Advancement. This position oversees student payments, vendor relations, and merit scholarships, ensuring the accurate and timely execution of financial transactions.

In addition to operational responsibilities, the Assistant Director will provide individualized career advising to first-year students, helping them navigate job searches, develop strong application materials, and build early career readiness. The Assistant Director will also support the Career Exploration Trek Program, a flagship initiative that sends students to domestic and international destinations for immersive, career-focused experiences. In this capacity, the Assistant Director will assist with program logistics, vendor coordination, and trip preparation to ensure students are fully supported throughout their experience.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, student-centered, and enthusiastic about building efficient processes and impactful programs. By collaborating with teams across the department, the Assistant Director will contribute to process improvements, data management, and the overall effectiveness of Career Advancement’s operations.

Responsibilities

• Supports the administration of student payments, including those related to internships, stipends, scholarships, and other financial programs. Assists with vendor payments and purchase orders, working closely with team members and under the guidance of the Director to ensure processes are handled efficiently.
• Assists with the Career Exploration Trek Program by supporting the planning and execution of 30+ trips per academic year. Tasks may include organizing travel logistics, preparing student materials, and processing vendor payments, all in close collaboration with the program’s lead staff and Director.
• Helps coordinate the administration of merit scholarship awards. Tracks student placements, supports payment processing, and assists in communicating with scholarship recipients. Responds to routine staff questions and escalates complex inquiries to senior team members as needed.
• Maintains and organizes data related to student payments, scholarships, and program participation. Assists with generating reports and tracking key metrics for leadership..
• Conducts one-on-one career advising sessions with first-year students, providing tailored guidance on resumes, cover letters, job search strategies, and career exploration. Acts as a resource for students, connecting them with additional career services as needed to support their professional development and readiness.
• Advises and counsels students concerning employment opportunities and careers by acting as a liaison between students and prospective employers.
• Conducts mock interviews, reviews resumes and cover letters, and coordinates other interview related programming in both individual and group settings.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to supporting students.
• Manage multiple tasks and timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and interpersonal tact.
• Keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Work independently and collaboratively within a team setting.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with data entry, administrative workflows, and learning new systems.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Working Conditions

• Work evening hours and weekends on an occasional basis, generally 1-2 days per month.
• Travel, generally one or two times per year.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter/Statement of Interest (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

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

$72,250.00 - $93,500.00

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.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (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.