Jobs › University of Chicago

This position has closed. University of Chicago removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Executive Support Manager

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $60,000–$90,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

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

You would triage email and initiate correspondence under your own signature or theirs. How do you learn to write in someone else's voice?

What they are checking: Whether they have actually done it and can describe the method.

Leadership travels domestically and internationally through the admissions cycle. Tell me about a trip that fell apart and what you did.

What they are checking: Composure and resourcefulness when logistics break far from home.

The posting expects you to develop recommendations on operational matters for the Vice President's review. Tell me about a process you proposed changing and how you made the case.

What they are checking: Initiative beyond calendar management, which is what makes this a manager role.

The stated minimum is seven or more years of related experience rather than a degree. What would you want to know about how this office works before taking it?

What they are checking: That they read the requirement and are evaluating the fit in both directions.

What would you do

You would support a Vice President, an Associate Vice President and a Dean of College Admissions at once. When their priorities collide on the calendar, how do you resolve it?

What they are checking: Independent judgment across several principals, which the posting explicitly asks for.

You handle confidential matters across personnel, budget planning and executive scheduling. How do you manage information that colleagues want and you cannot share?

What they are checking: Discretion held under social pressure from people they work with daily.

You back up the office manager and supervise student staff. How do you get reliable work out of students who have classes and other jobs?

What they are checking: Supervision of part-time student workers, a specific university skill.

Expense management and reconciliation here runs through the university's GEMS system. Tell me about handling expenses for someone who travels constantly and does not enjoy paperwork.

What they are checking: Chasing an executive for documentation without irritating them.

About the work

The role asks you to prepare daily briefings and event briefings for senior leadership. What goes in a good briefing, and what do you leave out?

What they are checking: Editorial judgment about an executive's attention.

Admissions runs on a calendar that does not move. How do you protect leadership's time during the heaviest weeks of the cycle?

What they are checking: Understanding of seasonality in this particular office.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department ESA Undergraduate Admissions - Group 1 About the Department The Office of College Admissions has a staff of over 40 people, most of whom are Admissions Counselors. They manage marketing to and recruitment of prospective students as well as the admissions process for first year and transfer students into The College, and summer programs for high school students. The Office of College Admissions is a forward-facing department often providing the first impression of UChicago to visitors in-person and virtually as well as telephonically and via email engagement. Of its several schools and departments, The College is the single-largest entity and this office is responsible for bringing to campus a class of students with a diverse set of backgrounds who are prepared to take on rigorous academics while engaging with the University, surrounding neighborhood, and city of Chicago. http://www.collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu. Job Summary The Executive Support Manager provides high-level administrative and strategic support to senior admissions leadership, exercising independent judgment on priorities, scheduling, and special projects while advising on office procedure and policy. Responsibilities • Manages the daily operations and front-line support for the office of the Vice President, Associate Vice President, and Dean of College Admissions. • Exercises independent judgment in managing complex, competing travel and meeting priorities. • Creates and prepares daily briefings, event briefings for senior leadership, and coordinates high profile events and programs. • Supports coordination of leadership travel domestically and internationally throughout the year. • Develops recommendations on operational and administrative matters for the Vice President and Dean’s review to support developing and implementing new processes to improve office-wide efficiency. • Serves as a back-up for the College Admissions Office Manager, managing the day-to-day operations of the office and managing student staff. • Exercises discretion in handling confidential matters related to personnel, budget planning, and executive scheduling on behalf of senior leadership. • Stays informed of activities relating to University programs and initiatives, apprising leadership of issues when deemed necessary. Coordinates information flow from leadership to University partners and leadership as directed. May staff Board of Directors meetings. • Initiates correspondence and other written materials under own signature or for signature of leadership. Triages emails and telephone calls for action. Resolves routine and complex inquiries. • Prepare special reports and summaries, assists in managing daily operation of the office, and may assist in developing administrative goals and policies. Maintains the leader's calendar, exercising considerable discretion and judgment as to priorities and effective use of the leader's time. • Coordinates special projects as directed by the leader. Prepares write ups for recommendations for operational and administrative problems. May manage a portion of the leader's budget, monitoring and reconciling accounts. Prepares financial and/or administrative reports. • 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s degree. Experience: • Managing and working with fast-paced senior executives. • Creating briefings and anticipating scheduling and administrative needs for leadership. • Background with expense management and reconciliation, preferably through the GEMS system. • Managing vendors, supply orders, inventories, and related budgets. • Knowledge of University of Chicago resources and programs. Technical Skills or Knowledge: • Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). • Competence with online databases and tools, such as Box, Concur, Workspace, and Zoom. Preferred Competencies • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication. • Customer service skills including confidence and professionalism over phone and email communications. • Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously, set priorities and streamline projects and processes, while meeting strict deadlines with frequent interruptions. • Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information. • Manage high volumes of visitors with a positive outlook and a can-do attitude. • High level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills. • Manage schedules and shift assignments for employees. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (required) • References Contact Information (3)(required) 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 Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $60,000.00 - $90,000.00 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.