Assistant Director, Jonathan Logan Media Center
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

AI Logan Digital Media Center

About the Department

Designed as a home for creative life of the University of Chicago campus and the City of Chicago, the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts is a partner, resource, and catalyst for developing deeper cultural networks and richer creative projects at the University, across Chicago and beyond. An innovative hub for arts education and artistic practice, the Logan Center and its satellite spaces (MADD Center and Edelstone Darkroom) provides an environment that catalyzes creative inquiry and supports the arts practice and scholarship of our students, faculty, and staff often in partnership with the broader community. The 180,000-square-foot multidisciplinary University arts center - the Logan Center is designed to encourage collaboration across the artistic spectrum. With classroom and performance spaces supporting a full range of disciplines-theater, cinema, dance, music, creative writing, and visual arts.

A platform to showcase today's most innovative creators across all media, the Logan Center acts as a locus for impactful and collaborative artistic programs with partners in nearby South Side communities and across Chicago and serves as a key catalyst for collaborative arts programming across the University. The Logan Center is committed to advancing artistic practice, inspiring creativity across generations, developing authentic partnerships on and off campus, evoking curiosity and discovery through transformative arts experiences, and advancing the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion, excellence, collaboration, and innovation. To learn more please visit https://www.logancenter.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of the Jonathan Logan Media Center (JLMC) plays a key role at the intersection of technology, arts, and education, providing leadership and management to support the University's artistic and academic activities. Managing the JLMC's facilities and resources, this role ensures they meet the needs of curricular, co-curricular, and community programs. The JLMC Assistant Director leads the integration of various media technologies into arts education, maintaining high operational standards and fostering innovation to meet the dynamic needs of the various communities. Reporting to the Director of Arts Technologies, the JLMC Assistant Director has responsibility for resource allocation, maintenance, and updates, ensuring the center remains a hub for artistic and technological advancement.

They also cultivate a collaborative environment, working with various stakeholders to facilitate educational workshops, exhibitions, and special projects, enhancing the University's educational offerings and community engagement. The JLMC AD hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the Media Center Coordinator, a professional staff role. The JLMC AD is also responsible for the Media Center budget; procurement; leases, maintenance, and software licensing agreements; insurance; policies; and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic integration of all Media Center related technologies into the arts curriculum as well as various programmatic initiatives. Collaborates with all stakeholders to develop initiatives that promote artistic growth, experimentation, and the integration of new media technologies. Develops, fosters, and maintains a diverse range of artistic projects and programs that promote innovative teaching and learning methods, align with educational goals, and encourage interdisciplinary work among students, staff, faculty and community partners.
• Provides oversight for the management of facilities and resources, ensuring that they meet the needs of curricular, co-curricular, and community programs. Supports staff responsible for maintaining high standards in facility upkeep and technological updates. Provides guidance and logistical support to encourage varied forms of art making and creative expression in and outside the classroom.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the Media Center Coordinator and student staff. Implements a robust staff development program that includes continuous learning, performance feedback, and career development plans. Ensures the team is skilled, motivated, and effective in managing daily operations and contributing to the center's goals.
• Participates in the center's long-term strategic planning. Develops and revises policies to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with university standards. Manages JLMC budgets and oversee procurement processes to ensure financial health and resource availability.
• Helps lead the Logan Center's co-curricular student art initiatives, providing programmatic oversight for a variety of projects aimed to enhance student engagement across the arts.
• Builds and maintains relationships with university departments, external partners, and community organizations. Develops collaborative projects that expand the center's reach and impact, effectively communicating the center's value to a broader audience.
• Serves as a member of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts staff and assists with various programs and projects.
• Identifies opportunities and develops innovative solutions to teaching and learning problems.
• Develops and updates online manuals and user reference documentation. Acts as a resource for colleagues and system users, and responds to inquiries related to use of the systems.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree in art or media.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital media, technology, and operations.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in a range of arts-related software and Mac-based computer skills.
• Extensive knowledge of media technology in arts education settings.

Preferred Competencies

• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of large research institutions, with a preference for experience at the University of Chicago.
• Exceptional organizational, customer service, and project management skills.
• Effective communication skills, able to relate technical details to diverse audiences.
• Organizational and human relations skills; collaborate well and supportively and cultivate good relationships with various constituencies.
• The temperament to work with a diverse and demanding population is expected.
• Self-directed and self-motivated, set goals and develop projects.
• Clear, effective, and tactful oral and written communication skills; handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Prioritize and execute multiple tasks simultaneously with an ability to view a project in its entirety.

Working Conditions

• Occasional evening and weekend work.
• Management of digital media in a 180,000 square-foot facility.
• Conduct regular building rounds.
• Considerable office work.
• Occasional moving of equipment weighing 10 to 50 lbs.
• Occasional travel to local vendors (hardware and electronics stores, etc.).
• Assist with technology use in gallery installations.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 30 hours per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

30

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

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.

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