Deputy Director, Data Science 4 Everyone
University of Chicago
Department
AI Data Science 4 Everyone
About the Department
Job Summary
A thought partner and operational leader, this person will regularly collaborate with DS4E’s Executive Director, funders, and team to co-develop strategy and then translate it into focused plans, clear priorities, and systems that support strong delivery. They will foster internal cohesion, manage cross-team execution, and help build a sustainable foundation for DS4E’s continued influence in education, policy, and innovation. The Deputy Director will report directly to the Executive Director of DS4E. The following team members will report to the Deputy Director: the Instructional Director, Policy Director, and Partnerships Manager. Additionally, the Strategic Initiatives Manager may also report to the Deputy Director. This structure is designed to support coherent leadership across DS4E’s key functional areas while enabling the Executive Director to focus on external relations, fundraising, and high-level strategy.
Responsibilities
- Serves as the internal anchor for a fast-growing, distributed team, connecting workstreams and reducing fragmentation.
- Manages and mentors team leads, supporting them to grow as people managers and confident decision-makers.
- Fosters a collaborative, inclusive culture that balances autonomy with shared accountability.
- Partners with the Executive Director to translate vision into clear organizational priorities and multi-year strategies.
- Leads annual and quarterly planning processes, ensuring staff are aligned on goals and how they’ll get there.
- Evaluates new opportunities against mission, capacity, and timing, making tough calls when needed.
- Ensures timely, transparent communication across teams and leadership, avoiding silos and confusion.
- Steps in to make high-leverage decisions when needed, especially in moments of ambiguity or urgency.
- Helps the team balance responsiveness with focus, knowing when to move quickly and when to hold the line.
- Builds and maintains lightweight, effective systems to track timelines, budgets, deliverables, and capacity.
- Oversees the execution of major cross-functional efforts, such as assessment roadmap, development of an independent organizational entity, ensuring scalable systems and infrastructure are in place to support long-term growth.
- Leads cross-functional coordination by partnering with the Operations Manager to ensure finance and grant processes facilitate execution. Provides oversight of floating grant accounts, stewards the evolution toward a hybrid operating structure, and builds systems to monitor financial data, project timelines, and initiative progress, supporting teams to stay focused, aligned, and well-resourced.
- Develops and administers program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
- Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Competencies
- Familiarity with the K–12 education landscape, including experience working within or alongside schools, districts, or state agencies, such as through roles in publishing, education nonprofits, or other mission-aligned organizations.
- Proven track record leading teams or departments in mission-driven settings, such as nonprofit, education, or social impact organizations, particularly through periods of organizational growth, strategic change, or increasing operational complexity.
- Leading and developing individuals at all levels, with a track record of cultivating emerging leaders through structured support, clear communication, and intentional team-building practices.
- Demonstrated success designing and implementing systems for project planning, team coordination, budgeting, and grant management, including restricted and unrestricted funding.
- Skilled communicator with a track record of translating strategy and priorities across internal teams and external stakeholders such as funders, education leaders, and policymakers.
- Evidence of sound judgment and strategic prioritization, including the ability to assess tradeoffs, say no when needed, and focus an organization on high-impact work.
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, with a disciplined approach to managing multiple priorities and aligning team efforts.
- Recognized for a leadership style rooted in humility, clarity, and trust, with a service-oriented approach to collaboration.
Working Conditions
- 100% remote work.
- Occasional travel, including nights and weekends.
- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.
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
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
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
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.
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