Director of the Institute of Politics

Department

Provost Office of the Provost

About The Department

The Institute of Politics (IOP) was founded in 2013 as a nonpartisan, extracurricular program with the mission of fostering a passion for politics and public service, meaningful dialogue and active engagement in democracy in University of Chicago students. Since its founding, the IOP has offered a home for civil discourse and conversation between students and elected officials, activists, authors, journalists, and other key practitioners in politics and public service. This is done through four primary programmatic components of the Institute: 1) The Speaker Series program hosts nationally and internationally recognized speakers on a wide variety of issues related to the mission of the IOP. 2) The Fellows Program presents an opportunity for political practitioners, policy makers, journalists, and others engaged in politics and public service, to be in residence at the University of Chicago for an academic quarter and provide weekly, extracurricular seminars to University of Chicago students. 3) The IOP also sponsors a robust, paid internship program for undergraduate and graduate students, placing them in high-level settings overseas, in Washington, D.C., and at the state and local levels. 4) The IOP’s Civic Engagement programs provide pathways for students to take an active role in shaping politics and policy in their communities through leadership development programs, student-led civic engagement projects, and political exploration treks.

The IOP is advised by a Board of Advisors consisting of senior professionals from fields related to the IOP’s mission. The values of the University of Chicago serve as a distinctive home for the Institute of Politics to engage in its extracurricular mission. These values include an enduring commitment to free and open discourse, meaningful partnership with the South Side Community and City of Chicago, and a transformative educational experience.

Job Information

Job Summary

The University of Chicago seeks a prominent and visionary leader to serve as Director of the Institute of Politics. The Director will build on existing initiatives of the IOP and develop new and innovative opportunities to inspire students to engage in the political process and play an active role in democracy. The Director will shape the direction of the IOP in a way that helps students explore the value of public service, in all its forms, while preparing them to confront complex issues thoughtfully and navigate challenging political environments.

While the Director helps set the strategic vision for the IOP and contributes programmatic ideas to realize that vision, the Executive Director carries out the day-to-day management of staff, programs and initiatives. The two maintain a close working relationship.

In addition, the Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial sustainability of the IOP through effective and inspired fundraising. They will leverage their prominence, network, and vision to connect with donors who share a commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders in public service. By passionately articulating the mission of the IOP, the Director will secure critical resources to advance its programs and expand its reach. Fundraising is not just a function of the role—it reflects the Director’s dedication to the enduring vitality of the Institute.

Responsibilities

• Build on existing initiatives of the IOP and develop new and innovative opportunities to inspire students to engage in the political process and play an active role in democracy.
• Shape the direction of the IOP in a way that helps students explore the value of public service, in all its forms, while preparing them to confront complex issues thoughtfully and navigate challenging political environments.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Executive Director.
• Despite potential active engagement in other endeavors, be committed to spending at least half time at the IOP and in deep engagement with students, staff of the IOP, and partners in the University of Chicago community.
• Serve as the public face of the IOP; investment in the success and mission of the Institute must be genuine and visible.
• Play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial sustainability of the IOP through effective and inspired fundraising.
• Leverage prominence, network, and vision to connect with donors who share a commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders in public service.
• Secure critical resources to advance its programs and expand its reach through passionate articulation of the IOP’s mission.
  
  

Competencies

• The ability to inspire students to play an active role in democracy and a commitment to substantive engagement with students. The Director, along with the staff of the IOP, curates meaningful conversations between students and practitioners, but the Director will engage directly with students as well. The Director must have the ability to encourage students and actively listen to and consider their ideas and perspectives.
• The ability to draw upon a deep and diverse personal network of fellow leaders and experienced practitioners across the political spectrum to engage with the IOP as speakers, fellows, employers, mentors, and donors. This network should consist of notable individuals who have engaged in public service or politics in a variety of ways including (but not limited to) elected officials, strategists, organizers, activists, diplomats, and journalists.
• A genuine and demonstrated commitment to civil discourse and free expression. The IOP is a forum for free and respectful expression of ideas, not for the promotion of a political party or a particular point of view. Freedom of expression is a deeply held value of the University of Chicago. The Director must be committed to exposing students to practitioners of diverse orientations, backgrounds and experiences; curating purposeful engagements and conversations; and encouraging students to reach beyond their own predispositions and carefully consider a range of views.
• A dynamic approach to fundraising that matches the urgency and importance of the IOP’s mission. The Director must be comfortable and effective in cultivating relationships with individual donors, foundations, and other supporters. They must possess the ability to articulate the IOP’s vision in a way that inspires financial investment, ensuring the Institute’s capacity to sustain and grow its programs for years to come.
• The expertise to offer fresh insights on the forces shaping democracy and our political system, and the ability to represent the IOP and the University of Chicago publicly.
• A collaborative approach to working with stakeholders within the University of Chicago. The Director must be committed to building relationships with current and potential partners on campus. The Director should demonstrate curiosity and seek opportunities for collaborations that bring together the strengths of the IOP and the strengths of the community of scholars at the University of Chicago.
• The ability to work closely and effectively with the Executive Director and staff of the IOP, as well as the board of advisors. The Executive Director and staff oversee the day-to-day operations of the Institute, but the Director will work closely with them to inform the strategy and programming for the IOP.
• A commitment to building meaningful relationships throughout the City of Chicago, including the South Side community where the University of Chicago is located. While the Director may come into the role without significant relationships in Chicago, they must be willing to invest time in connecting with community stakeholders and building relationships on behalf of the IOP.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education

• A college or university degree required.
• Advanced degree, preferably in a related field preferred.
  
  

Experience

• Knowledge and skills developed through 10-15 years of work experience in a related job discipline required.
• Government service at the highest level preferred.
• Experience working in a higher education setting preferred.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
  
  

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• Professional References (3)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Senior Administrators

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$300,000.00 - $450,000.00

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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