The Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL | United States
Job description
Position is Job Grade 8
For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating
the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts
graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by
U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as
world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-
the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to
take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable
alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia
O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
Generous paid time off
Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
Great employee discounts
Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
BASIC FUNCTION
Provide quality leadership, administrative support, and management services to the Graduate, Post-Bac and select Advanced Undergraduate studio facilities. Plans and facilitates bi-annual interdisciplinary critique panels for graduate students through thoughtful consideration of people, process, space, infrastructure, and technology. Works collaboratively with the Dean’s Office, Admissions, Academic Departments, and IRFM. Utilize strategic thinking and problem-solving to establish a vision, develop policy, ensure the functionality of facilities, deliver services, and lead staff/student employees. Direct the activities of the Facilities Managers. Oversee budgeting and facilities planning. Act as a liaison between students, academic administration, and IRFM to maintain and improve both the studio environment and the student experience.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Plans and facilitates bi-annual interdisciplinary critique panels for graduate students, a curricular requirement and means of assessment for successful completion of a graduate degree. Constructs critique panels through a strategic evaluation of student and faculty data. Creates a matrixed organization of people, process, space, infrastructure, and technology. Balances student and faculty schedules, artistic disciplines, diversity, equity, inclusion, interpersonal dynamics and location availability in the creation of effective critique panels.
Responsible for all communication to students, faculty and staff regarding critique logistics. Interfaces with the Web Office to publish schedules. Facilitates change requests as appropriate. Manages attendance, student and faculty concerns, emergency participation issues and troubleshoots any other problems that arise throughout the duration of critique week. Interfaces with the Dean’s Office as needed to resolve issues. Works with departments to schedule make-up panels as needed.
Responsible for reporting student participation and critique completion to the Graduate Dean’s Office in order to satisfy degree requirements. Conducts student and faculty surveys. Evaluates responses and strategizes improvements and policy changes as needed. Communicates feedback to the Graduate Dean’s Office.
Develops the annual studio plan to meet student/department needs. Collaborates with the Dean’s Office, Admissions and academic departments to monitor enrollment. Anticipates changes and projects space needs in response to fluctuations in enrollment numbers.
Plans and facilitates the graduate studio lotteries and space assignments. Leads the Facilities Managers in proper execution of studio lotteries, studio and maintain accurate records thereof. Organizes and conducts graduate studio orientation. Provide students with accurate information regarding studio policies, facility use, available resources, and services, safety, deadlines, etc. Consistently communicate changes to graduate, Post-Bac, and faculty populations.
Oversee the planning and implementation of Graduate Open Studio Night. Directs the Facilities Managers in the development of all design, marketing, and advertising materials, and collaborates with Admissions, Graduate Dean Office, Facilities Services and Campus Security partners to ensure event success.
Interface with graduate and Post-Bac student population regarding questions, concerns, or comments. Assist students with navigating studio use and connecting to resources. Assist students in facilitating special projects. Act a liaison to appropriate departments and resources (Dean’s office, IRFM partners, EHS, Student Affairs, etc.). Enforce studio lease agreement.
Oversee the graduate studios’ facilities. Ensure a consistently high-quality appearance of all facilities. Oversee work requests and ensure completion of projects as specified. Coordinate with engineering, contractors, housekeeping, and SAIC faculty and staff to ensure safe, clean, and functional spaces throughout campus.
Supervise the Facilities Managers. Responsible for hiring, assigning/directing work, evaluating performance, and managing job duties and expectations. Provide leadership, administrative support, and direction in the upkeep of facilities and equipment with an emphasis on safety, preventative maintenance, and facilities renewal.
Collaborate with Facilities Services’ partners to manage studio maintenance and upgrade projects (i.e. lighting replacements, flooring replacements, wall/ceiling repair/refresh). Coordinate and contract work and manage projects within a specified budget.
Manage the graduate and Post-Bac studio annual budget. Coordinate purchasing and contracting as it pertains to the delivery of services and resources, and the improvement, maintenance, and repair of department facilities. Reconcile budgets and develop projections for future operating and capital improvements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
BA/BS/BFA or equivalent
A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in higher education or and equivalent cultural organization (ideally within the context of a school of art and design).
Leadership & Supervision
Demonstrated experience as a confident and personable leader and supervisor.
Able to promote and support skill building and growth of supervised staff.
Able to effectively evaluate team and staff performance, provide constructive feedback, and guide direction and improvement.
Able to provide positive mentorship and to promote collaboration and cooperation among team members. Demonstrates an openness to thoughts and ideas of others. Skilled at conflict resolution.
Skills
Thoughtful problem solver and decision maker. Adaptable to changing environment.
Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality
Analytical/problem solving skills, including ability to synthesize and organize large quantities of data.
Must have excellent analytical, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
Ability to effectively understand, utilize and present in a variety of data management and visualization programs.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and accuracy.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively to a wide range of stakeholders on complex issues, both verbally and in writing
Exceptional Professionalism and customer Service. Ability to work with all levels of students, faculty and staff in a unique environment. Ability to deal with difficult people and seek a positive outcome.
Able to work independently with a high degree of initiative, conferring with leadership when appropriate.
Proficiency with basic computer software (Word, Excel, Google Suite, graphics/presentation programs, etc.) Comfortable with learning new programs specific to facility needs.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.
Closing Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [email protected] .
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