Program Manager, Policing Leadership Academy

Department
UL Crime Ed Lab Program Management

About The Department
The Policing Leadership Academy is a violence reduction initiative that aims to prevent violent crime, support officers, and improve fairness and effectiveness in policing. We do this by developing better police management practices nationwide and in select cities globally, with a focus on many of America’s highest‑violence geographies.

The academy, which is being rigorously evaluated to measure its effectiveness, addresses a persistent training gap by providing a five‑month, robust management and leadership education to policing middle managers. Investing in law enforcement management education can transform public safety in an entire city simply by training a few handfuls of key people.

Currently, there are no national standards, curriculum, or best practices for training and supporting police commanders/captains/majors – the rank that oversees police precincts and station houses. Police commanders don’t directly supervise patrol officers – they supervise the supervisors and can exert much greater influence over local patrol behavior than department leadership. The PLA is the only police management and leadership education program in the country solely focused on this critical rank of police leader.

The PLA builds on prior research from the Crime Lab showing that changes in police department management can drive reductions in both violent crime rates and police use of force. The five‑month curriculum provides hands‑on training in data‑driven management, violence reduction, and community trust.

Role
The University of Chicago Crime Lab is seeking an experienced Program Manager who can support all aspects of the Policing Academy. The Program Manager will work closely with our Program Director, Policing Leadership Academy and members of organizational leadership to ensure the ongoing success of the program and its participants. Strong candidates will have experience leading event planning processes in fundraising or non‑profit settings.

Job Summary
The job manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.

Responsibilities

Works somewhat independently to develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Identifies appropriate resources needed and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.

Is responsible for tracking progress as well as preparing for and facilitating project meetings.

Acts as a resource for the program team and provides analytical and programmatic guidance. Interprets complex project issues and provides analytical guidance for the program team.

Works closely with the UChicago Crime Lab research team evaluating program effectiveness, adjusting program implementation as necessary.

Coordinates the successful integration of partner and affiliate tasks and tracks and reviews the progress of these deliverables, adjusting the program team’s next steps as needed.

Supports the Program Director, Policing Leadership Academy in managing external partnerships by assisting with vital communication such as program updates and meeting preparation.

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.

Manges program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5‑7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications
Education

Advanced degree strongly preferred

Experience

Experience with quantitative data analysis to support the research design strongly preferred.

Previous experience working in a research organization or managing research projects strongly preferred.

Previous experience with research strongly preferred.

Previous experience in policing or working with the criminal justice system strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

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 internal and external stakeholders.

Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and to prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with a variety of audiences.

Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.

Knowledge and understanding of crime policy and violence research literature strongly preferred.

Pay Range
$66,400.00 – $91,300.00

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.

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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