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Department Coordinator

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $25.00–$30.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role coordinates day-to-day operations for a music department and is its public-facing point of contact. What academic department coordination have you done?

What they are checking: Whether they have coordinated an academic department before, since knowing how universities run makes the job far easier from day one.

You'd answer the department's public phone line, fielding calls about concerts and programming. What does a good call with a member of the public sound like?

What they are checking: Whether they handle public calls warmly and accurately, because they are often the first impression people have of the music department.

What would you do

You'd schedule faculty meetings, prepare materials and help orient new faculty. How do you get a room full of faculty to agree on a time?

What they are checking: Whether they can schedule busy faculty efficiently with tools and firm deadlines, since meetings that never get set stall department business.

You'd be the primary time approver for student groups including after-hours hall monitors. How do you handle a student whose hours do not look right?

What they are checking: Whether they check timesheets carefully and address problems directly but fairly, since approving wrong hours affects payroll and student trust.

You'd triage emails and calls for action, resolving routine and some complex inquiries. How do you decide what you handle and what goes to a faculty member?

What they are checking: Whether they know which questions they can resolve and which need faculty, so routine matters get handled without bothering busy professors.

You'd provide administrative support for a leader and keep them informed of issues. How do you decide what a leader needs to know?

What they are checking: Whether they can judge what a leader really needs to know, keeping them informed without flooding them with every small detail.

A concert is tomorrow and something has fallen through. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and find quick alternatives under a fixed deadline, since a concert date cannot move when something falls through.

This reports to the academic affairs and operations administrator in the music department. What would you want to know about the department and its calendar before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they would ask about the department's calendar and busy seasons, which shows they plan realistically for the workload ahead.

About the work

You'd process expense reconciliations, payments and reimbursements in the university's finance system. How do you keep that accurate and on time?

What they are checking: Whether they keep financial processing accurate and timely with clear tracking, because late or wrong reimbursements frustrate faculty and create audit issues.

You'd organize travel, catering and itineraries for faculty-led events within budget. Walk me through planning a department event.

What they are checking: Whether they can plan events end to end within budget, handling travel, catering and details that make faculty-led events run smoothly.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department AHD Staff: Music Administration About the Department The Department of Music offers graduate degrees in Composition and Sound Practices, Ethnomusicology, and Music History and Theory. It is recognized as one of the premier music departments in the world for composition and the academic study of music. Additionally, the Department hosts a thriving performance program encompassing four choirs, two orchestras, two jazz ensembles, a Middle East music ensemble, an early music ensemble, a wind ensemble, a South Asian music ensemble as well as programs in chamber music, piano and voice. The Department puts on numerous concerts, master classes, and performance residencies as well as a lecture series throughout the year. The Department also has professional ensembles and artists in residence, which contribute variously to undergraduate and graduate student life and study. Job Summary Reporting to the Academic Affairs and Operations Administrator, the Department Coordinator coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Department of Music and serves as the primary point of contact for the Department. Responsibilities include supporting the Department Chair with scheduling meetings; supporting faculty hiring and promotion processes by compiling materials, travel arrangements, etc.; and orienting new faculty to the department. Additionally, the Department Coordinator is responsible for executing events, including all logistics; ensuring the timely flow of publicity materials; ordering office supplies; maintaining office machines; training faculty on usage of common office technology; operational workflow; processing expenses; identifying facilities improvements, other clerical support; and directing the activity of student workers. Applicants must submit all required materials listed in the job description to be considered. Please upload all documents under the resume/CV section of the application portal. Responsibilities • Supports Academic Affairs and Operations Administrator by processing GEMS expense reconciliations, payments and reimbursements; orients end-users to basic office machines; orders and maintains office supplies; sorts departmental mail and arranges shipments; works with various stakeholders to maintain up-to-date department directories; makes deliveries throughout campus; serves as receptionist for office suite. Functions as the primary administrator for Goodspeed Hall building access utilizing CBORD software. • Schedules faculty meetings, preparing and organizing materials; helps orient new faculty to the department, division, and University and assists with their arrival; assists with scheduling faculty meetings and ordering lunches; supports the Chair with clerical work. • Organizes travel arrangements, catering, and itinerary planning for faculty-led academic and department-wide community-building events according to budget; coordinates event-related communication as required; serves as primary contact for department visitors; manages documentation and payment processing; reconciles event budgets; schedules rooms for events and workshops as needed; manages the department’s colloquium series including travel arrangements, day-of hospitality, and after-hours reception clean-up, three Fridays per quarter. • Supports and acts as primary time approver for various student groups, including after-hour student hall monitors and special student outreach/working groups. • Answers the department's public-facing phone line, fielding calls about concerts/programming and referring queries to another staff/faculty/chair as appropriate. Works with chair and supervisor to maintain professional appearance of public-facing spaces, including Fulton Hall, classrooms, and Goodspeed gathering spaces. • Provides administrative support for a leader. Stays informed of activities relating to programs and initiatives, apprising the leader of issues when deemed necessary. Coordinates information flow from leader's office. • Triages emails and telephone calls for action. Resolves mostly routine and some complex inquiries. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree). Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s degree. Experience: • Exposure to higher education administration. • Project management and event planning. • Office management and organization • Familiarity with the field of music. Technical Skills or Knowledge : • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office products, Outlook, Work, Excel, and PowerPoint. • Knowledge of Canva, Adobe Acrobat, multifunction printers, Cloud storage formats, and Google Docs. Preferred Competencies • Strong organizational skills. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Work independently and as part of a team. • Attention to detail. • Excellent decision making and time management skills. • Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain sensitive or confidential information. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (required) • Three References Contact Information (preferred) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. 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 Hourly ​ FLSA Status Non-Exempt ​ Pay Range $25.00 - $30.00 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.

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