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This position has closed. University of Chicago removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Operations & IT User Support Manager

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $100,564–$130,141 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 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

This role manages a team resolving end-user issues across hardware, licensing, software and networking for a social sciences division. What support team have you managed?

What they are checking: Whether they have actually led a support team, since managing technicians requires different skills than solving tickets yourself.

The posting says you are expected to actively learn new technologies. How do you keep current while running a support team?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real habit for learning new technology, because a manager who stops learning cannot guide a technical team well.

How do you develop a support technician into someone who solves problems rather than escalates them?

What they are checking: Whether they coach technicians to investigate and own problems, building skills so the team escalates less and solves more.

What would you do

Your users are researchers, faculty, administrators and students, all with different needs. How do you support that mix with one team?

What they are checking: Whether they can adapt service for researchers, faculty, administrators and students, who have very different needs and expectations from IT.

A faculty member's research work is blocked by a technical problem. How do you prioritize that against everything else in the queue?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by impact on research and teaching, while still being fair to the rest of the queue.

A researcher wants to use something outside the standard environment. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Whether they can support researchers' unusual requests while keeping systems secure and supportable, a constant balance in academic IT.

This oversees the operations team within social sciences computing services. What would you want to know about the team and the environment before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they ask about the team, tools and current problems before accepting, which shows they understand what they would be taking on.

About the work

You'd handle site licensing. How do you keep software licensing straight across a division?

What they are checking: Whether they keep careful records of licenses, renewals and usage, since gaps can cause compliance problems or unexpected costs for the division.

How do you decide what gets documented so the next person does not have to work it out again?

What they are checking: Whether they make sure common fixes are written down, so the team stops solving the same problem repeatedly from scratch.

How would you measure whether the support team is doing well?

What they are checking: Whether they look beyond ticket counts to user satisfaction, resolution quality and repeat issues, which show whether support is actually working.

Practice this interview out loud.

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Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department SSD Social Sciences Computing Services: Longacre About the Department Social Sciences Computing Services provides the Social Sciences Division with direct support for research, administrative and teaching technologies and services. Job Summary The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for resolving end user issues regarding hardware, site licensing, software and networking. Manages customer support during the installation of applications and computer peripherals. Monitors the deployment of devices to customers, including computers, tablets, mobile phones, and printers/copiers. The Social Sciences Computing Services (SSCS) Operations & IT Support Manager oversees the SSCS Operations team and is responsible for their day-to-day and strategic efforts in relation to End-User-Devices (EUDs) and associated peripherals. Under the direction of SSCS Assistant Dean of Information Technology, and as part of the SSCS Leadership Team, this role will plan and implement continual improvement in SSCS’s capacity to deliver excellent service, security, and innovation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining partnerships within the UChicago IT Community, participating in the leadership of SSCS, and leading the recruitment, hiring, and development of the Operations team. The incumbent of this position is expected to actively learn new technologies and to ensure that SSD faculty, staff, and researchers have the best resources and services in their endeavors. Responsibilities • Manages IT logistics for EUDs and peripherals across SSD, including purchasing, provisioning, deployment, and inventory tracking. • Advocates for SSD in University-Wide discussions related to EUD policy • Develops and maintains documentation, practices, procedures, and policies governing the EUD lifecycle. • Manages Operations team staff, including day-to-day supervision and performance oversight of the six Desktop Support Technicians. • Participates in SSCS leadership activities, including strategic planning and partnership-building with other UChicago IT leaders. • Recruits, hires, and trains new Operations staff. • Manages professional staff and/or supervisors. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. • Manages all IT needs. Develops and implements business plans to deliver technical solutions. • Ensures teams provide timely and appropriate responses to IT user support issues and compliance with University security requirements. • 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s degree. Experience: • Preferably in a higher education setting serving researchers. • Demonstrated ability to learn independently. • Demonstrated familiarity with a range of computer hardware, software, and peripheral equipment. • Previous supervisory experience. Technical Knowledge and Skills: • Experience in a multi-platform network environment, including mail service and client support, backup and restore technologies, Macintosh and PC communication software support, various graphical user interfaces, and experience managing networked servers and workstations with knowledge of TCP/IP network services, system utilities, hardware installation, and OS installation. • Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS systems. • Expertise supporting OneDrive, Box, Gmail, and other personal computing software. Preferred Competencies • Strong interpersonal communication skills. • Knowledge of End Point Management Systems. • Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Outstanding deductive and investigative skills to identify and diagnose complex, non-intuitive technical problems. • Integrity and credibility to work with sensitive data. Working Conditions • Ability to bend, stoop, and crouch in confined spaces required. • Ability to lift, push, pull up to 50 pounds required. Application Documents • Resume (required) • Cover letter (required) • References (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 Information Technology Role Impact People Manager 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 $100,563.50 - $130,141.00 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.