Laboratory Schools: Associate Director for Culture and Engagement

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Department Lab School Family Life Programs About the Department At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community. Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Job Summary Reporting to the Director, Family Life Programs (FLP), the Associate Director for Culture and Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that attract, retain, and enhance the professional skills of employees across the Family Life Programs portfolio—which currently includes Extended Day (Early Day and Late Day student programs) and Summer Lab programs, and may expand in the future. The role fosters a positive workplace culture, strengthens staff engagement, and ensures teams deliver high-quality programs that meet the needs of students and families, consistent with the Laboratory Schools’ priorities and mission. This position oversees all aspects of recruitment, training, staff relations, and performance management for FLP staff, collaborating closely with assistant directors, program managers, the HR department, and the Associate Director of Operations and Programs to ensure programs are properly staffed and supported through effective budgeting and resource planning. Responsibilities Oversee recruitment, selection, and interviewing strategies to attract highly qualified candidates for Family Life Programs. Collaborate with HR partners to design, post, recruit, develop, and retain successful FLP teams. Conduct reference checks for all new employees. Partner with assistant directors and program managers to assess and fulfill program-specific hiring needs in Extended Day, Early Day, Late Day, and Summer Lab programs. Attend hiring fairs and other recruitment events when possible to attract candidates and promote Family Life Programs. Create comprehensive onboarding programs to ensure new hires are effectively integrated into the Lab Schools and FLP department. Coordinate orientation sessions to familiarize FLP staff with the schools’ culture, values, policies, and practices. Assess training needs and provide professional development, coaching, and mentorship opportunities to enhance employee skills and competencies. Continuously improve onboarding processes and staff training based on feedback and best practices. Champion a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace culture across all Family Life Programs. Facilitate effective communication between Lab Schools daytime administration, FLP staff, and other departments. Collaborate with various Lab departments, the Associate Director of Operations and Programs (for budgeting and planning), assistant directors, and program managers to support departmental goals and initiatives. Provide guidance and support to assistant directors regarding staff relations and family relations issues. Interpret and implement employee recognition activities to celebrate achievements and milestones. Use surveys, feedback tools, and other methods to gauge staff satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. Support creation, maintenance, and upholding of FLP policies and handbooks, ensuring alignment with Lab Schools and university guidelines. Maintain accurate and thorough documentation related to recruitment, training, performance, and other HR matters. Ensure compliance with organizational standards and timely submission of required documentation. Assist in drafting and disseminating policy updates and handbook revisions for staff awareness and compliance. Manage and input payroll for all hourly, biweekly and seasonal FLP staff. Oversee performance review and management process for part-time and seasonal employees. Develop and monitor performance improvement plans for underperforming staff, providing support for progress. Address employee concerns in a timely and fair manner. Communicates and discusses contract terms with outside vendors. Administers contracts. Maintains organizational records and archives relevant information and program materials. Receives a minimal level of guidance and direction. Markets student activities programming throughout the year. Develops and implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of program. 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: Master's degree. Experience: Experience working in a school or summer camp setting. Five years experience working with school-age children or equivalent experience. Three years experience hiring and managing people. Previous employee coaching and mentoring experience. Technical Skills or Knowledge: Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet. Experience with Google Docs. Ability to quickly learn registration and scheduling platforms. Knowledge of Apple computer systems. Ability to use standard office equipment. Strong computational and analytical skills. Preferred Competencies Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work with a diverse group of students, parents, staff, administrators, vendors, and faculty. Agility and flexibility; ability to adjust to changing priorities. Decision-making and attention to detail. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Creativity and ability to work independently or as part of a team. Ability to manage stressful situations and perform multiple concurrent tasks with interruptions. Ability to lead, guide, and coordinate with others. Budgeting, resource planning, and collaboration skills. emphasizing documentation and maybe supporting policy and handbook creation/upholding. Working Conditions Work into the early evening daily and occasional evenings/weekends. Carry or lift loads of up to 25 lbs. Climb stairs up to 2 stories. Stand for 2 to 4 hours at a time. Travel to various on-campus locations. Support Early Day and Late Day programs as needed. Application Documents Resume (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 Student Affairs & Services Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $74,179.00 - $96,000.00 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, South Bend , Laboratory Schools: Associate Director for Culture and Engagement, Human Resources , Chicago, Indiana