Department

Chicago Forum Senior Staff

About the Department

The University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression was launched by President Alivisatos in 2023 and builds on UChicago’s historic commitment and practices. The Chicago Forum’s mission is to promote the understanding, practice, and advancement of free and open discourse, at the University of Chicago and beyond.

Job Summary

The principle of complete freedom of speech on all subjects has from the beginning been regarded as fundamental in the University of Chicago…this principle can neither now nor at any future time be called in question. – William Rainey Harper, Founding President of the University of Chicago.   

Free expression and open discourse have been fundamental values at the University of Chicago since its inception. The Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression (the Chicago Forum) builds on that historic commitment to promote the understanding, practice, and advancement of free and open discourse at the University of Chicago and beyond. Its initiatives include hosting multi-viewpoint events on a diverse range of topics, programming to exercise and develop skills for open discourse, support for academic research, and active contribution to media and public discussions.

We, at the Chicago Forum, seek a Director of Curriculum who will lead our overall curricular standardization and orientation/learning efforts. This is a new position with an exciting new initiative that will direct the Chicago Forum’s curricular efforts within and beyond the University of Chicago community. This position reports to the Executive Director.

The Chicago Forum team values a deep commitment to engaging diverse viewpoints and the ability to skillfully communicate across multiple perspectives. We are collaborative and collegial, passionate about our work and one another’s continued professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardize the Chicago Forum curriculum on academic freedom and free inquiry and expression, for use with internal orientation and external training and collaboration.
• Deliver high quality training for internal and external audiences, including expanding higher education and precollegiate partnerships.
• Work with Chicago Forum leadership and team to scale a growing summer onsite multi-day workshop and conference for higher ed leaders, expanding to include precollegiate education.
• Represent the Chicago Forum in various higher and precollegiate education venues such as conferences, colloquia, and visits to other institutions.
• Build out and coordinate the Chicago Forum’s collaboration across the Divisions and Schools at the University of Chicago.
• Will grow to include supervision of at least one a professional employee, overseeing performance goals and review processes.
• Be available to work evening events and be flexible to absorb additional responsibilities as needed as part of a growing and collaborative team.
• Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in related field with a demonstrated professional commitment to academic and civic pluralism.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in higher education, civil discourse, bridging difference, or related fields.

Preferred Competencies

• Commitment to Free Expression: Demonstrated dedication to academic freedom, open discourse, and pluralism, with the proven ability to respectfully engage diverse perspectives.
• Curriculum Development Expertise: Proficient in designing and standardizing educational programs, with experience creating training and learning modules for diverse audiences.
• Strong Communication and Facilitation Skills: Ability to effectively convey complex ideas and foster dialogue across varied viewpoints in both academic and public settings.
• Collaborative Leadership: Skilled at building and maintaining partnerships within and outside the University, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and managing relationships with external education partners.
• Project and Event Management: Capable of leading and scaling initiatives such as workshops and conferences, with strong organizational skills in event planning and coordination.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment, including flexibility to manage evening events and absorb additional responsibilities as needed.
• Supervisory and HR Skills: Experience in managing and mentoring staff, setting performance goals, allocating resources, and overseeing HR-related functions.

Working Conditions

• This role is located in Chicago, on site at the University.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (optional)
• References (3)(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

$85,000.00 – $120,000.00

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 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.