Job details

Manager, Strategic Initiatives

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Department

SING Polsky Science & Technology - Administration

About the Department

The Polsky Center’s mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Through education, resources, and programs, the Polsky Center commercializes discoveries, partners with companies, and attracts venture capital. The Polsky Center runs a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; operates a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; and manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures. Finally, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.

Job Summary

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives, will play a critical role in advancing the Polsky Center’s mission by supporting high-impact strategic initiatives and programs. Reporting to the Chief of Staff of the Polsky Center, this position will oversee the development, launch, execution, and communication of cross-functional strategic projects that support the Polsky Center and University priorities across innovation and the commercialization continuum. This role manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs of the University. The Manager will primarily work with the Chief of Staff, but will also support the Managing Director on some special projects, in addition to partnering with colleagues broadly across the Polsky Center on projects.

This role will have the opportunity to drive both short-term and longer-term efforts. Projects will vary based on current priorities, and will generally fall into three categories:

• UChicago Science Incubator: In May 2025, the University is launching a new 22,000 square foot science incubator to support early-stage science startups with an emphasis on life sciences, quantum, clean tech, and data science and AI. The incubator will offer wet lab space, office space, shared equipment and lab operations, and a robust set of programming. The manager will work across internal teams to identify existing programming to offer to science incubator members, develop and manage new programming to fill any identified gaps, manage the logistics of hosting networking and thought leadership events in the space, develop presentation materials for senior University leadership on the science incubator, conduct budget analyses, etc.

• Internal operations: The manager will work with the Chief of Staff on projects to support the Polsky Center’s internal operations, with a particular focus on human resources, finance, and cross-team collaboration. Projects could include supporting the development and execution of internal processes such as 360 feedback and performance discussions, developing onboarding materials for new staff members, benchmarking technology transfer operations, etc.

• Special projects: The manager will work on a variety of cross-cutting special projects that align with strategic priorities and do not fit neatly within the existing organizational chart. These could include projects such as driving grant applications to secure investments in quantum, analyzing past IP license revenues, developing partnership models with external stakeholders, etc.

The Manager role will require strong skills in flexible problem-solving, project management, collaboration, analysis, and written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

Supports high-priority projects for the Chief of Staff and Managing Director that align with the future direction of the Polsky Center, in particular for projects that span multiple teams or are a pilot of new efforts.
Oversees the launch and ongoing programming of the UChicago Science Incubator, ensuring alignment with the Polsky Center and University’s goals and objectives.
Supports internal communications on, and oversight of, the UChicago Science Incubator, including preparing internal presentations.
Identifies funding opportunities and leads grant writing efforts, including coordinating across subject matter experts to support growth areas and strategic initiatives.
Conducts financial modeling and analysis to evaluate program sustainability and provide insights for strategic decision-making.
Monitors progress on multiple strategic projects and ensures timely delivery of outcomes.
Conducts research, analyzes data, and presents findings to inform strategic decision-making
Works closely with other Polsky teams to ensure strategic alignment across initiatives.
Develops and tracks key performance indicators to measure the success of strategic initiatives and programs, providing regular updates to leadership.
Organizes and supports events related to strategic initiatives.
Builds relationships and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
Analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
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

Education:

Advanced degree in relevant field.

Experience:

Background in consulting, strategy and operations, entrepreneurship, program management, or technology commercialization.
Familiarily with higher education, entrepreneurship, or early-stage science startups.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Proficient in building Excel models and strategic analysis.

Preferred Competencies

Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, including executive-level audiences.
Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
Strong project management and organizational skills, manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
Program design and successful execution.
Creative problem-solving, with a strategic mindset and approach challenges in a new way.
Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative approach.
Work both independently and as a member of a team.

Working Conditions

This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.
Work flexible hours according to demands of business.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)

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

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $105,000.00

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 .

In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for n/a

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.

Average salary estimate

$92500 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$80000K

$105000K

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What You Should Know About Manager, Strategic Initiatives, UChicago Medicine

The University of Chicago is on the hunt for a dynamic Manager, Strategic Initiatives to join the Polsky Center team in Chicago, IL. This position is pivotal in driving high-impact strategic projects that further our mission of turning innovative ideas into real-world applications. As part of the Polsky Center, you’ll collaborate closely with the Chief of Staff and Managing Director, overseeing initiatives like the exciting UChicago Science Incubator, which will support early-stage startups across fields such as life sciences and AI. Your role will encompass project management, strategic communication, and collaboration with various internal teams, ensuring our initiatives align with the broader goals of the University. You will manage everything from planning new programming for incubator members to conducting financial analyses that inform crucial decisions. Problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities will be your daily bread, as you help build relationships with faculty and external stakeholders alike. If you're someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is ready to take on substantial responsibilities that shape the future of innovation at the University, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Bring your academic acumen and passion for technology commercialization to the table, and help us drive our mission forward!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Manager, Strategic Initiatives Role at UChicago Medicine

What are the responsibilities of the Manager, Strategic Initiatives at the University of Chicago?

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives at the University of Chicago is responsible for overseeing high-priority strategic projects for the Polsky Center. This includes managing the UChicago Science Incubator’s launch and programming, supporting internal operations, leading grant writing efforts, and analyzing budgets. This role involves collaboration across teams to ensure alignment with the University’s innovation goals.