Program Manager, Weston Game Lab

Department
AI MADD Center
About the Department
Designed as a home for the 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 citywide and beyond. The Logan Center is a place where boundaries dissolve and artistic work is amplified through a web of collaborative partners. More than just a building, it is an innovative hub for arts education for UChicago students and Chicago-land students and families, a platform to showcase today's most innovative creators across all media, and a locus for impactful and collaborative artistic Innovations with partners in nearby South Side communities and across Chicago.
Job Summary
The Program Manager of the Weston Game Lab (WGL) is an integral part of the staff team that supports students, faculty, staff, and community members at the University of Chicago's Media Arts, Data, and Design Center (MADD). Together with the Hack Arts Lab (HAL), the two labs function as part of Arts Technologies, a team of staff who support a range of resource centers and initiatives across the arts at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts and other facilities. Reporting to the Associate Director for MADD Arts Labs, the Program Manager serves as the primary staff support for the Weston Game lab with additional administrative and managerial responsibilities across the arts labs. The role involves significant student and faculty interaction, in both a support and advisory role; together this includes nurturing and developing an inclusive games community at UChicago and also assisting in the design and development of game projects. The Program Manager also has primary responsibility for the public facing events occasionally produced by the MADD Arts Labs.
Responsibilities

• Ensures that the WGL is aligned with curricular and programmatic goals of the University. Works with WGL faculty director and academic leadership to research developments in the fields of gaming and game development, and make strategic investments in technologies and products that support academic and research goals.
• Maintains and supports the physical resources of WGL and HAL including: analog and digital account based game collections, consoles and associated AV systems, gaming computers, studio and commons spaces, prototyping and development tools, 3D printers, laser cutters, and other digital fabrication and gaming equipment.
• Provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for creative activity at the Game Lab during facility operating hours to all users, including academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
• In partnership with colleagues and student staff, develops and supports programming for WGL, HAL, and MADD Center users that encourages community and empowers users to make the fullest use of resources, including public lectures and workshops, student club activities, and other engagements.
• With the Associate Director of MADD Arts Labs, hires, trains, schedules, and supervises student staff assigned to the circulation/help desk, Game Lab, and Hack Arts Lab, to support the program and operations of the MADD Center Arts Labs overall.
• Develops and distributes training materials such as quick start guides, Canvas quizzes (LMS) WIKI articles, etc.
• Mentors and supports faculty, students, and partners who are using WGL for board, card, tabletop, mixed reality, and/or video game design projects
• Under supervision of the Associate Director for MADD Arts Labs, develops and tracks the Game Lab budget; recommends, researches, and orders new or replacement technology, games, supplies, and systems; monitors and processes service bureau fees.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:

• MFA/MA in in arts, media, game development, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5 years digital media and/or game development, design, technology, operations experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Game engine and development platforms (e.g., Unity, Unreal, Twine, RPG Maker).
• 3D design and animation (e.g., Vectorworks, Blender, Maya).
• 2D design (Adobe CC).
• Familiarity with installing and supporting Mac and PC operating systems.
• Familiarity with cloud based collaboration tools (G suite, Basecamp).

Preferred Competencies

• Strong knowledge of a range of game development tools and processes, and passion for learning and playing games.
• Exceptional organizational and customer service skills.
• Oversee complex projects and schedules, maintain deadlines, work within budgets, with the ability to set priorities and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Effectively translate and communicate complex technical details to managers, stakeholders and technical staff.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills with the ability to synthesize and accurately present relevant information.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies including faculty, students, staff, artists, and community members.
• Knowledge of the University of Chicago or another large research institution.

Working Conditions

• Moves equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Conducts regular facility rounds and be stationary for extended periods of time.
• Occasional evening and weekend work.
• Travels off site to local vendors and work meetings.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

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
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
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.
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