The University of Chicago Crime Lab is an independent research organization that designs, tests, and scales data-driven innovations to improve the public sector's response to the dual challenges of America's gun violence crisis and a criminal justice system that is not truly just.
In cities across the country, people face high rates of gun violence, under-resourced schools, and social harms associated with the criminal justice system -- all of which disproportionately impact people of color. These inequalities have profound consequences on public safety and opportunity. As a society we have failed to address these challenges, in part, because of our lack of understanding of the most effective and cost-effective solutions that can have a real impact on people's lives. We believe that rigorous research can help.
Our team works in close partnership with cities and communities to create impact at scale for residents of America's cities, especially for those facing the most severe implications of inequality and racism. We conduct research to meet the highest standards of quality and rigor, and we share our results broadly to generate measurable social good in communities.
Our mission is to combine world-class data science and research, in partnership with government agencies, to substantially improve the effectiveness of the public sector and achieve impact at scale.
To learn more about the Crime Lab, visit https://crimelab.uchicago.edu/.
Job Summary
The Crime Lab is seeking an Executive Director to help drive our next stage of growth. This will include expanding large-scale social policy experiments in partnership with government, community and NGO's as well as civic and philanthropic leaders around the country; overseeing cutting-edge research and projects focused on reducing community violence and in particular gun violence and increasing the fairness and effectiveness of policing and the criminal justice system. This senior leadership role, part of the executive leadership team of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and its sister Lab, the Education Lab will help set the direction of the work of the Crime Lab and will help ensure the success of the existing portfolio of work including our Policing Leadership Academy and Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy. This position will work directly with Founding Directors Roseanna Ander and Jens Ludwig, several other members of the senior leadership team as well as with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago, UPenn, Northwestern University, and other top-tier universities. The Executive Director will also work closely with local, state and national policymakers, community partners, non-profits, media, and funders.
The Executive Director reports to the Faculty Director and Senior Director and is a member of the Leadership Team of the Crime Lab and Education Lab organizations. This role leads all of our crime/criminal justice research projects and helps initiate and conceptualize the new portfolio of projects in Chicago. The ideal candidate will be innovative and intellectually curious and a collaborative leader with experience in criminal justice or related area of social policy. Strong candidates will have deep familiarity with public sector actors throughout the city of Chicago, a strong foundation in social policy research, and familiarity with higher education institutions. The candidate will also ideally possess a familiarity with research and evaluation, especially with respect to large-scale policy interventions. Specific job responsibilities are outlined below.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with Faculty Directors and Research Directors to set research priorities for the Crime Lab.
Cultivate relationships with key community safety stakeholders around the United States so that Crime Lab can serve as a strategic thought partner on high-stakes public safety decisions.
Represent the Crime Lab with policymakers and with non-profit partners.
Support development and execution of a fundraising strategy for the Crime Lab, including the cultivation of individual donors, institutional philanthropy, foundations, and corporate philanthropy.
Collaborate with the Labs' Public Affairs team to ensure the Crime Lab is effectively and proactively represented to external stakeholders. Provide guidance on specific communication needs, including press releases, website content, and newsletters.
Partner with Alumni Relations and Development, the office of Civic Engagement, the university's VP for Communications and VP for Campus Safety.
Supervise and provide support to the Executive Directors and Portfolio Directors of the Community Safety Leadership Academies, who are responsible for direct project implementation.
Lead Crime Lab work in Chicago and build out the Crime Lab's research and project implementation teams.
Fostering a culture of scientific excellence and public service, this role will partner closely with other senior leaders to make recommendations for organizational improvement and build a culture action plan that aligns and supports the mission, vision and values the Crime Lab.
Provides leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.
Manages related teams. Establishes department priorities, may be responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.
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:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree in economics, law, public policy, sociology, or a closely related field.
Advanced degree strongly preferred.
Experience:
A minimum of 7+years related work experience.
Previous experience in public policy and criminal justice.
Prior experience working in a research organization or managing research projects strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
Demonstrated leader, visionary and strategic thinker with a commitment to advancing existing initiatives and championing moonshot projects.
Team player with ability to build consensus and to work through others in achieving desired results and objectives.
Ability to develop and execute strategic plans in alignment with the organization's mission and objectives, in collaboration with an extraordinary team of senior leaders.
Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.
Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and triage work to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (required)
References (3) (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
People Manager
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 Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.
Staff 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.
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.
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.
