Executive Director, Center for Effective Government (CEG)

Department
Harris Center for Effective Government Leadership

About the Department
Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what's best for society-and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science.

Job Summary
About the Center:

The Center for Effective Government (CEG), founded in 2019 at the Harris School of Public Policy, is dedicated to advancing democratic institutions and enhancing governmental problem-solving capabilities through rigorous research, critical debate, and public engagement.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director will be the strategic and operational leader of the Center, working closely with Professor Anthony Fowler (Faculty Director) to advance the Center's mission. This is a full-time leadership role that requires exceptional strategic thinking, research administration, communication skills, and the ability to bridge academic research with policy impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan that positions CEG as a leading research center in government effectiveness and democratic innovation
• Collaborate closely with the Faculty Director to align research priorities with the Center's mission
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions, policy organizations, government agencies, and philanthropic foundations
• Represent the Center at national and international conferences and academic forums
• Oversee the Center's research agenda, including coordinating multi-disciplinary research project, managing research staff and supporting their professional development and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration
• Design and organize academic workshops, conferences, summer schools, and visitor programs
• Manage the Center's annual budget, including developing comprehensive financial plans, preparing grant proposals and managing research funding and conducting financial reporting and budget tracking
• Lead administrative hiring and personnel management
• Ensure compliance with university administrative policies and research protocols
• Create and execute a comprehensive communications strategy to disseminate research findings to academic, policy, and public audience and enhance the Center's visibility and impact
• Oversee all external communications, including website content management, social media strategy, press releases, annual reports, and academic and policy publications
• Develop multimedia and digital communication approaches to reach diverse audiences
• Serve as the primary external representative of the Center
• Build and maintain relationships with academic researchers, policy makers, government officials, potential funding partners and media outlets
• Translate complex research findings into accessible formats for different stakeholders
• Provides specialized professional expertise in program management. Implements plans for educational programs and initiatives and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants
• Develops and administers program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations
• Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of leadership experience with proven track record of securing research funding
• Experience in higher education, government, think tanks, or policy research organizations
• Experience managing interdisciplinary teams
• Network of relationships in academic and policy communities

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to translate academic research into actionable policy insights
• Proven success in developing communication strategies

Working Conditions

• Some travel required for conferences, stakeholder meetings, and research events

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three professional references

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
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

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$90,000.00 - $120,000.00
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

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.

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