Looking for MSCAPP Associate Program Director in Chicago, IL
Posted 2025-03-15Job title: MSCAPP Associate Program Director
Company: University of Chicago
Job description: Department
PSD Computer Science: Administration and Staff
About the Department
The M.S. in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MS-CAPP) program at the University of Chicago is seeking an Associate Program Director to help run and guide the operation of its Masters-level educational program, recognized as a leading joint computer science, data science, and policy analysis degree. The Associate Program Director is tasked with effectively leveraging and coordinating the extensive resources and activities of the Harris School of Public Policy and the Department of Computer Science for the benefit of the MS-CAPP program. This role includes providing a broad and diverse range of programmatic and administrative support. The Program Director will lead the MS-CAPP program in all of its core functions, including identifying new courses, developing internal and external partnerships to create employment opportunities, reading and assessing student applications, and bringing prominent speakers from the field to UChicago. Competitive applicants will be passionate about some of the following (and interested in learning more about the rest): public policy, social impact, technology, computer science, and data science.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Program Director, the Associate Program Director will provide a broad range of programmatic, administrative and project support. The Associate Program Director will collaborate with staff in the Department of Computer Science and in the Harris School of Public Policy to ensure that the operations of the MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy are effectively run. Competitive applicants will be passionate about public policy, social impact, or related fields, and be interested in learning more about programming, technology, and data science.
The Associate Program Director is eligible for educational benefits and will be able to take one relevant course (at no charge, for credit) per quarter, potentially leading towards a Master?s degree. This benefit is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the course.
Responsibilities
- Meets with a growing caseload (approximately 60+ MSCAPP students) and advises on classes, registration, degree requirements, resources, as well as completion of academic forms and visa requirements from the Office of International Affairs and external funding organizations.
- Documents and communicates quarterly registration activities, processes, and deadlines to students and coordinate the process between Harris and Computer Science.
- Creates resources for students to help them understand and choose the electives so they can help them map out the skills they need to achieve their desired career outcome.
- Completes quarterly degree audits for all enrolled MSCAPP students in conjunction with the Program Director to ensure all students are on track toward graduation.
- Develops and enhances strong relationships with prospective students who are interested in the program and articulating the value of the degree and answering questions and concerns at every point in the admissions cycle.
- Serves as a key member of the MSCAPP program both internationally and domestically to increase applications and yield by attending conferences, running info sessions and grad fairs.
- Evaluates applications for the program and makes recommendations on admittance to the committee.
- Analyzes the merit/need of admitted students and makes scholarship recommendations.
- Provides ad hoc analysis of admissions data to the Program Director and Faculty Director to inform strategy and decision-making, as well as create and maintain data visualization dashboards in Slate and Tableau for real-time analysis.
- Creates content for the MSCAPP website and maintains/updates content (curriculum, degree requirements as changes are implement) including internal current student resource portal.
- Creates, revises and evaluates formal processes for various student requests. This includes requests for expense reimbursement, tutor support and feedback about job/internship placements to name a few.
- Oversees logistics of course registration, including working with the registrar to find rooms for classes and discussion sections, and coordinating scheduling between Harris and Computer Science for classes and finals.
- Manages the tutoring process for CAPP core courses, including hiring of tutors, supervision of requests for tutoring support, matching of tutors with tutees, and regular check-ins with tutoring pairs.
- Manages the hiring of teaching assistants for CAPP courses, including the application process and the changing requirements, reviewing applications, working with faculty to identify top candidates, and overseeing the hiring and onboarding process.
- Handles financial expense reporting and reimbursement processes with both Harris Public Policy and the Department of Computer Science.
- Coordinates all communication with Harris and Computer Science faculty and staff across multiple teams and offices, including Admissions, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Career Development and Employer Relations, Alumni Relations and Development, Events, and more.
- Serves on various committees as a representative of the MSCAPP program, including the Orientation Committee, the Mental Health Working Group, as well as the broader university committees.
- Collaborates with UChicago Grad and Harris Career Development Office in matching career support and network opportunities as well as develop engagement opportunities with current students, admitted students, and faculty.
- Supervises the program?s administrative support staff and the undergraduate student worker.
- Collaborates with internal and external professionals to create new programs and enhance existing ones. Works with the Director on evaluating the program curriculum, policies, and procedures.
- Works independently to manage program marketing, including overseeing development of publications and the web site.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree. Master?s degree in related field.
- Dealing with diverse population.
- Experience in public policy, social impact, or related fields.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing and to compose effective and efficient reports and correspondence.
- Ability to take initiative, organize and complete projects, at times with minimal supervision.
- Cover letter (preferred)
- Resume/CV (required)
- List of references (preferred)
Job Family
Academic Affairs
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
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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Expected salary:
Location: Chicago, IL