Director, Data Operations

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

Department Booth Kilts Center: Programs About the Department The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/. Job Summary The James M. Kilts Center for Marketing’s mission is to advance the study and practice of The Chicago Booth Approach™ to marketing through three mutually reinforcing areas of work: facilitating scholarly research, offering programs to the Booth community, and disseminating thought leadership. The role of Director, Data Operations will be responsible for the success of the Center’s data archive administrative activities. This archive is a valuable data resource for scholars at the University of Chicago and around the world. Joining the Kilts Center offers the opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of academia, data, and innovation. The Director will join a high-performing team and play a meaningful role in shaping the strategy, operations, and evolution of the widely-used academic data repository. The role involves managing others, working closely with faculty and PhD students, industry partners, and other internal departments. Responsibilities Drives innovation through the thoughtful adoption of new technologies, including generative AI, to improve service, scale, and impact. Builds and mentors a talented team in a collaborative, intellectually engaging environment that values continuous improvement and professional growth. Executes strategic plans related to the vision and mission of the Center. Coaches, develops, manages performance, and supervises staff, including a customer service team. Ensures successful customer service operations for data subscribers worldwide. Cultivates a culture of excellence in serving hundreds of data subscribers. Manages a portfolio of data products available to academic scholars around the world. Ensures comprehensive organization, tracking, and reporting across all operations. Maximizes efficient use of technologies, including generative AI, and software platforms. Proactively identifies opportunities for operational improvement and leads process development and adoption. Monitors and reports on financial activity for subscriptions and operations. Works across the organization with contracts, accounting, legal counsel, and information technology partners. Builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders across academia and industry. Guides responsible data governance and policy reviews, and supports the security of Center-housed datasets. Participates in data provider relationship management. Tracks progress, conducts analysis, as well as prepares for and facilitates project meetings. Ensures adherence to quality standards and reviews project deliverables. Leads and coordinates the successful integration of vendor tasks and tracks and reviews vendor deliverables. 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: Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree. Experience: Background working in an academic setting. Technical Skills or Knowledge: Familiarity with data management, analysis, and customer service. Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Preferred Competencies Demonstrated experience leading a team and driving results through the work of others. Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills. Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes. Motivation to identify opportunities for improvement and develop thoughtful recommendations for effective changes. Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and persuasion skills. An inquisitive mindset and commitment to continuous professional development and learning. Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods, including in person, email, and phone. Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach. Working Conditions This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office. Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required) 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 No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 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. 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.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Chicago , Director, Data Operations, Administration, Clerical , Chicago, Illinois