Head of Product Strategy & Development, The Bike Shop at the University of Chicago

University of Chicago
Full-timeβ€’$150k-180k/year (USD)β€’Chicago, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Product Strategy & Development, The Bike Shop at the University of Chicago

Company: University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Management / Strategy & Development

Date Posted: April 07, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ years (Minimum), 10+ years (AI-assessed)

Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for innovative human-AI collaboration tools, from initial research translation to partner-ready solutions.

  • Develop and execute robust product roadmaps, aligning cutting-edge AI research with user needs and organizational objectives for social impact.

  • Drive the development of user-centric products by championing user research, defining user stories, and creating testable prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).

  • Foster a product culture that embraces novel approaches and pushes the boundaries of what human-AI collaboration can achieve, focusing on enhancing human capability.

  • Manage and mentor a high-performance product and engineering team, setting ambitious goals and fostering a collaborative environment.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Head of Product," indicating significant leadership and strategic responsibility. The emphasis on "human-AI collaboration" and "bicycles for the mind" suggests a focus on tools that augment human decision-making and capacity, rather than pure automation. The "Bike Shop" name, within the context of the Harris School, implies a strong connection to public policy, behavioral science, and societal impact through technology. This is not a typical corporate product role but rather one deeply embedded in academic research translation and social good.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Own the complete product lifecycle, from ideation and problem framing through iterative design, prototyping, and successful delivery of AI-enhanced products.

  • Develop and maintain clear, actionable product roadmaps that strategically align research capabilities with identified user needs and overarching organizational priorities for social impact.

  • Lead comprehensive user research initiatives, meticulously define user stories, and translate insights into testable prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that validate product concepts.

  • Champion a product development culture that actively embraces novelty, encourages experimentation, and pursues genuinely new approaches to human-AI collaboration.

  • Stay abreast of the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to proactively identify opportunities for breakthrough product concepts and innovations.

  • Develop and implement structured frameworks for the rigorous assessment, prioritization, and strategic selection of breakthrough product ideas emerging from research.

  • Act as a technically fluent product manager, possessing the capability to evaluate technical feasibility, engage deeply with research and engineering teams, and make informed product decisions.

  • Assess and validate technical constraints, guide architecture decisions, and make critical build-vs-partner tradeoffs throughout the entire product lifecycle to ensure efficient and effective development.

  • Maintain detailed, organized product documentation, implement robust sprint planning processes, and establish effective delivery methodologies suitable for a research-to-product environment.

  • Create and maintain robust bi-directional feedback loops between The Bike Shop's research teams and its product development efforts, translating research breakthroughs into tangible product opportunities and channeling real-world user insights back into the research agenda.

  • Collaborate closely with researchers and data scientists to deeply understand the capabilities, limitations, and potential applications of new algorithms and AI systems for product development.

  • Facilitate regular, structured cross-functional sync meetings to ensure consistent alignment between research priorities, product strategy, and the needs of diverse stakeholders.

  • Mentor, develop, and lead a high-performance product and engineering team, setting ambitious goals, fostering an environment of trust, and celebrating team successes.

  • Take initiative on mission-critical projects, collaborating directly with leadership on impact measurement strategies and proactive stakeholder engagement efforts.

  • Make key strategic decisions regarding hiring, resource allocation, and overall product direction to maximize impact and efficiency.

  • Identify and develop pathways for bringing Bike Shop products and tools to market or scaling their adoption, including forging strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry leaders, and government stakeholders.

  • Develop comprehensive go-to-market strategies that thoughtfully account for both the inherent novelty and the significant social impact potential of frontier AI-enhanced products.

  • Define, track, and analyze product-market fit metrics, explore pricing considerations, and develop adoption strategies in close collaboration with senior leadership.

  • Manage the development of the intellectual property portfolio, including patenting, licensing, commercialization activities, and associated marketing plans.

  • Contribute significantly to the strategic direction and expansion of new initiatives, policies, and procedures related to product development and intellectual property.

  • Maintain strong, productive relationships with inventors, legal counsel, prospective and actual licensees, and internal colleagues to advance strategic priorities effectively.

  • Communicate and collaborate effectively with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities and foster strong partnerships.

  • Provide training and mentorship in intellectual property, negotiation, licensing, and commercialization activities to employees, enhancing team capabilities.

  • Review and approve agreements, ensuring legal compliance and strategic alignment for all product-related initiatives.

  • Perform other related work as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to the organization's mission.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a unique blend of product management, research translation, team leadership, and business development within an academic research setting focused on social impact. The emphasis on "frontier products," "human-AI collaboration," and "intellectual property" suggests a role that requires both technical understanding and strategic business acumen. The "Job Family: Legal & Regulatory Affairs" is an interesting categorization, likely due to the strong focus on IP, licensing, and commercialization, which is unusual for a typical product management role but critical for an academic research translation function.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

  • Preferred:

    • Demonstrated ownership of complex products from concept to launch, with a clear track record of success.
    • Experience working directly within or alongside technical teams, exhibiting the ability to engage substantively on questions of software architecture, data systems, or AI/ML product development.
    • Proven track record of successfully bringing new products or solutions to market, including experience with go-to-market strategy, user research, and iterative prototyping.
    • Experience operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, such as early-stage startups, research labs, or innovation-focused teams, where products are novel and processes are not yet fully defined.
    • 7+ years of experience specifically in product management, go-to-market strategy (especially for technology), business development, strategic partnerships, or management consulting.
    • Proven track record managing teams of 5+ direct reports, setting ambitious goals, and motivating teams to overachieve on large, complex initiatives from end to end.
    • Experience working with new product or service teams to build frontier products, with a demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and create structure in undefined problem spaces.
    • Experience in commercialization, business development, or strategic partnerships, including developing, negotiating, and executing partnership agreements that expand a product’s reach and impact.
    • Experience working with state and local government, educational institutions, or social impact-oriented organizations.

Required Skills:

  • Product Strategy Development: Ability to define and articulate a clear vision and roadmap for complex technology products.

  • Product Lifecycle Management: Experience overseeing products from ideation through development, launch, and iteration.

  • AI/ML Fundamentals: Understanding of AI and Machine Learning concepts and their application in product development.

  • User Research & Analysis: Proficiency in conducting user research, defining user stories, and translating insights into product requirements.

  • Prototyping & MVP Development: Skill in creating and testing prototypes and Minimum Viable Products.

  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and grow a team of engineers and developers.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including researchers, engineers, legal, and external partners.

Preferred Skills:

  • Generative AI & HCI Expertise: Deep knowledge of generative AI, AI/ML applications, and human-computer interaction.

  • Software Architecture & Data Systems: Ability to engage in substantive discussions about technical architecture and data systems.

  • Go-to-Market Strategy: Expertise in developing and executing strategies for bringing novel products to market.

  • Commercialization & Business Development: Experience in IP management, licensing, negotiation, and strategic partnerships.

  • Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile principles, sprint planning, and iterative development processes.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Strong skills in building relationships and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.

  • Commercial Acumen: Aptitude for identifying opportunities, understanding market dynamics, and driving business value.

  • Intellectual Property Management: Knowledge of patenting, licensing, and commercialization activities.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The minimum requirements are a college degree and 7+ years of experience. However, the preferred qualifications and the nature of the roleβ€”leading product development at the frontier of AI and social impactβ€”strongly suggest that candidates with advanced degrees and 10+ years of relevant experience will be more competitive. The emphasis on navigating ambiguity and building structure is key for this research-to-product environment.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Product Strategy & Roadmap Examples: Showcase instances where you've defined product vision, strategy, and roadmaps, demonstrating alignment with research goals and user needs. Include examples of how you've prioritized initiatives.

  • User-Centric Design & Prototyping: Include case studies or examples of user research methodologies applied, user stories developed, and prototypes or MVPs created to validate product concepts. Highlight the iterative design process.

  • Product Lifecycle Management: Demonstrate experience managing a product through its entire lifecycle, from initial concept and research translation to development, testing, and launch.

  • Technical Collaboration & Feasibility: Provide examples of how you've worked with technical teams (engineers, data scientists) to assess feasibility, guide architecture, and make build-vs-partner decisions.

  • Go-to-Market & Commercialization: Showcase experience in developing go-to-market strategies, identifying market opportunities, and potentially examples of commercialization, licensing, or partnership development.

  • Team Leadership & Performance Management: Present evidence of your ability to lead, mentor, and grow product and engineering teams, including setting goals and managing performance.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design and Optimization: Examples of how you've designed and optimized workflows for product development, particularly in a research-to-product context, including sprint planning and delivery processes.

  • Feedback Loop Implementation: Demonstrate how you've established and managed bi-directional feedback loops between research and product development, and between product teams and end-users.

  • Metrics and Performance Analysis: Showcase examples of defining and tracking key product metrics (e.g., product-market fit, adoption, user engagement) and how you've used data to drive product decisions.

  • Intellectual Property Management: Illustrate your understanding and experience with processes related to patenting, licensing, and commercialization of intellectual property.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase past achievements but also demonstrate a strategic approach to innovation, user empathy, technical collaboration, and commercialization, especially within the unique context of academic research translated into impactful products. The emphasis on "frontier products" means showing how you handle ambiguity and build structure.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • Health insurance

  • Retirement programs (e.g., 403(b) or similar UChicago-sponsored plans)

  • Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)

  • Potential for other University of Chicago benefits and employee resources, as detailed in the Benefits Guidebook.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full-time, Exempt)

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The salary range of $150,000 - $180,000 is competitive for a senior leadership role in product strategy and development in a major metropolitan area like Chicago, especially for an organization with the prestige of the University of Chicago. The "Exempt" status indicates this is a salaried position not eligible for overtime pay. The provided benefits are standard for full-time employees at a large institution.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Research & Development / Technology Innovation

Company Size: The University of Chicago is a large, complex academic institution with tens of thousands of employees. The Harris School of Public Policy is a significant academic unit within it. The Bike Shop itself is likely a focused, specialized unit within the school.

Founded: The University of Chicago was founded in 1890. This long history provides a stable, research-oriented foundation.

Team Structure:

  • The Bike Shop: This is a specialized unit within the Harris School, likely focused on applied research and development in AI, behavioral science, and public policy.

  • Reporting Structure: The Head of Product Strategy & Development reports to The Bike Shop's leadership. This role will also supervise engineers, developers, and other team members working on product development.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with researchers, data scientists, legal counsel, academic leadership, potential industry partners, and government stakeholders.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Innovation: The Bike Shop's approach is rooted in designing and scaling advanced algorithms, particularly AI, that enhance human capacity. This implies a strong reliance on data analysis, behavioral insights, and rigorous scientific methods.

  • Research-to-Product Translation: A core methodology involves translating cutting-edge research into tangible working products, emphasizing iterative design, prototyping, and validation.

  • Social Impact Focus: The department's mission is to achieve measurable social impact by empowering governments and institutions with advanced technological solutions.

Company Website: https://harris.uchicago.edu/ (Harris School website, The Bike Shop may have a dedicated section or sub-site)

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be intellectually rigorous, research-driven, and focused on academic excellence and societal impact. The "Bike Shop" name suggests an innovative, perhaps slightly unconventional, approach to applying advanced technology for public good, distinct from a typical corporate product development environment.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the product development and strategy domain, specifically focused on translating academic research into tangible technological products with social impact. It's a "Head of" role, indicating significant autonomy and responsibility.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Product Strategy & Development reports directly to The Bike Shop's leadership. This individual will also manage and mentor a team of engineers and developers, indicating a direct people management responsibility. Peer collaboration will be essential with researchers, data scientists, and potentially legal/business development teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is framed around scaling advanced algorithms and AI to enhance human capacity and achieve measurable social impact. Success means translating groundbreaking research into functional tools that empower governments and institutions, thereby influencing public policy and societal outcomes. The commercialization and IP aspects also point to a direct impact on the organization's intellectual assets and potential market presence.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow the product and engineering teams, influence the strategic direction of The Bike Shop, and take on more significant leadership responsibilities within the organization or the broader University.

  • Domain Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI, human-AI collaboration, behavioral science applications, and the commercialization of research through advanced technologies.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Impact: Gain experience bridging academic research with real-world application across public policy, technology, and business development sectors.

  • Strategic Partnership Development: Build a strong network and expertise in forging partnerships with academic, government, and industry entities.

  • Innovation Leadership: Lead the development of genuinely novel products that push technological boundaries and address critical societal challenges.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This is a high-impact role with significant growth potential for individuals passionate about applying cutting-edge AI to solve societal problems. The growth path is less about climbing a traditional corporate ladder and more about deepening expertise, expanding leadership scope, and increasing influence in the field of human-AI collaboration for social good.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning it will involve a combination of on-site work at the University of Chicago campus and remote work. The on-site component is crucial for collaboration with research teams and leveraging university resources.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is at 1307 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL, within the University of Chicago campus. The University has a vibrant urban campus environment.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, intellectually stimulating environment within the Harris School and The Bike Shop, fostering collaboration between researchers, product managers, and engineers.

  • Technology & Resources: Access to University of Chicago's research facilities, computational resources, and a network of academic experts. The team will utilize various software development and project management tools.

  • Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for direct interaction with the product and engineering teams for mentorship, feedback, and project alignment. Close collaboration with leading researchers and academic faculty is expected.

Work Schedule: The standard full-time schedule is 37.5 hours per week. While hybrid, the specific days on-site and remote may be flexible but will require coordination to ensure effective collaboration and team presence.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature suggests a need for self-discipline and effective time management. The on-site component is likely essential for deep engagement with research teams and leveraging the unique academic ecosystem of the University of Chicago.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio, focusing on relevant experience in product strategy, AI/ML, team leadership, and research translation.

  • Technical & Product Discussion: Interviews with The Bike Shop leadership and key researchers to assess understanding of AI/ML, product lifecycle management, and ability to translate research into viable products. This may involve deep dives into past projects.

  • Team & Leadership Assessment: Interviews with potential direct reports and peers to evaluate leadership style, team-building capabilities, and collaborative approach.

  • Case Study / Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio piece or tackle a hypothetical product strategy challenge related to human-AI collaboration and social impact. This assesses strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

  • Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to evaluate strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall vision for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate for Impact: Select projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to drive product strategy, manage lifecycles, and deliver tangible results, especially those with a social impact or research-to-product angle.

  • Highlight Human-AI Collaboration: Showcase examples where products explicitly augment human capabilities rather than just automate tasks.

  • Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use metrics and data to illustrate the success of your products and initiatives (e.g., adoption rates, user satisfaction, market penetration, social impact metrics).

  • Showcase Technical Fluency: Include examples of how you've effectively collaborated with technical teams, understand technical constraints, and made informed decisions about architecture or feasibility.

  • Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of team management, mentorship, and how you've fostered a positive and high-performing team environment.

  • Address Ambiguity: For this role, highlight projects where you successfully navigated undefined problem spaces or built structure in ambiguous environments.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand The Bike Shop's Mission: Research the Harris School and The Bike Shop's specific focus on human-AI collaboration, behavioral science, and public policy impact.

  • Prepare for AI/ML Product Questions: Be ready to discuss trends in AI/ML, generative AI, and how these technologies can be applied to solve societal challenges.

  • Articulate a Product Vision: Practice articulating a clear product vision and strategy, including how you would prioritize initiatives and translate research into products.

  • Practice Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your portfolio concisely and effectively, emphasizing key achievements and strategic decision-making.

  • Consider Ethical Implications: Be prepared to discuss the ethical considerations of AI and human-AI collaboration in public policy contexts.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, testing both strategic product thinking and the ability to operate within an academic research environment. A strong, well-curated portfolio is essential.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Product Management Platforms: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for project management, sprint planning, and backlog management.

  • Prototyping & Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for creating user interfaces and interactive prototypes.

  • Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for documentation, communication, and general productivity.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Data Analysis Tools: Potentially Python with libraries like Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, or R for data analysis and statistical modeling, especially given the research context.

  • Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and visualizing product performance metrics.

  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics or similar if products have a web-based component.

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM Systems: While not explicitly mentioned, understanding CRM principles (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) might be relevant for understanding user bases or partner management, especially if products are commercialized.

  • Automation Tools: Familiarity with workflow automation tools could be beneficial for internal processes or product features.

  • Integration Tools: Understanding of APIs and integration concepts for connecting different software systems.

AI/ML Specific:

  • AI/ML Platforms: Familiarity with cloud-based AI/ML platforms (e.g., AWS SageMaker, Google AI Platform, Azure Machine Learning) would be advantageous.

  • Machine Learning Libraries: Experience with libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn is highly preferred given the role's focus.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The technology stack will likely lean towards tools used in research, data science, and innovative product development, rather than a typical enterprise B2B SaaS environment. Proficiency in data analysis, AI/ML libraries, and prototyping tools is key.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Innovation & Novelty: A core value is pursuing genuinely new approaches and building tools that expand the frontier of human-AI collaboration.

  • Social Impact: A strong commitment to using technology to solve societal challenges and enhance human capacity for public good.

  • Rigorous Research: Grounded in scientific inquiry, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

  • Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasis on working effectively across disciplines and building strong relationships with researchers, engineers, and external stakeholders.

  • Intellectual Curiosity: A drive to learn, explore new ideas, and stay at the forefront of AI and behavioral science.

  • Efficiency & Scalability: Translating research into actionable, scalable solutions that can achieve broad impact.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative style is essential, bridging the gap between academic research, product development, engineering, legal, and external partners.

  • Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of information between teams and leadership.

  • Agile & Iterative: Embracing an iterative approach to product development, with regular feedback loops and adaptability to new insights and research findings.

  • Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture of mentorship where experienced team members guide and develop junior staff, and knowledge is shared freely across the team.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The culture here is a blend of academic rigor and entrepreneurial innovation. Candidates should be comfortable with intellectual debate, data-driven insights, and the mission-driven nature of applying technology for societal benefit.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Bridging Research and Product: The primary challenge is effectively translating complex, cutting-edge academic research into practical, user-ready products with clear market or societal value.

  • Navigating Ambiguity: Operating in a frontier space means dealing with undefined problem spaces, novel technologies, and evolving requirements, requiring strong adaptability and structure-building skills.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating between highly technical researchers, product developers, business stakeholders, and potential users with diverse backgrounds.

  • Intellectual Property Management: Successfully managing the patenting, licensing, and commercialization of novel technologies while balancing research goals and market potential.

  • Team Building & Scaling: Leading and growing a high-performance product and engineering team in a unique academic research setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Deep Dive into AI/ML: Opportunity to work at the forefront of AI and human-AI collaboration research, gaining deep practical experience.

  • Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop skills in product strategy, business development, commercialization, and stakeholder management within a unique academic-to-impact model.

  • Leadership Development: Hone leadership skills by managing a team, driving strategic initiatives, and influencing organizational direction.

  • Industry Engagement: Build relationships and gain insights from collaborations with academic institutions, government bodies, and industry partners.

  • Impact Measurement: Learn to define and measure the social impact of technology products, a critical skill in the non-profit and public sector technology space.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role offers significant intellectual challenges and opportunities for professional growth, particularly for individuals passionate about the intersection of advanced technology and societal impact. The challenges are inherent to innovation and translating research into practice.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you translated complex research or technical concepts into a viable product strategy. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Assesses research-to-product translation, problem-solving)

  • "How would you approach building a product roadmap for a new AI-driven tool designed to enhance human decision-making in public policy? What factors would you prioritize?" (Assesses strategic thinking, prioritization, understanding of the domain)

  • "Imagine you have a breakthrough algorithm from our research team. What steps would you take to assess its product potential and identify target users or partners?" (Assesses product validation, market assessment, user-centricity)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about The Bike Shop's mission and its focus on human-AI collaboration for social impact?" (Assesses alignment with mission, passion)

  • "How do you approach building and leading high-performing technical teams, particularly in a research-intensive environment?" (Assesses leadership style, team management)

  • "Describe your experience in managing intellectual property or commercialization efforts. How do you balance academic research goals with market viability?" (Assesses business acumen, IP understanding)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role and approach, the solution developed, the impact achieved (quantified if possible), and key learnings.

  • Focus on Strategic Decisions: Emphasize the "why" behind your decisionsβ€”why you chose a particular strategy, technology, or approach.

  • Highlight Collaboration: Showcase how you worked with diverse teams (researchers, engineers, legal, etc.) and external stakeholders.

  • Demonstrate Technical Fluency: Be prepared to discuss technical challenges and how you navigated them, even if you're not coding daily.

  • Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with AI, human-AI collaboration, social impact, research translation, and leadership.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic product thinking, leadership capabilities, a deep understanding of AI/ML applications, and a genuine commitment to the organization's social impact mission. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these competencies.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the University of Chicago's Workday portal via the provided job link.

  • Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product strategy, AI/ML, team leadership, research translation, and any experience with intellectual property or commercialization. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most impactful projects that demonstrate your ability to lead product development from concept to launch, especially those involving novel technologies or social impact. Ensure it showcases your strategic thinking, technical collaboration, and leadership skills.

  • Research The Bike Shop & UChicago: Familiarize yourself with The Bike Shop's mission, recent projects, and the broader goals of the Harris School and the University of Chicago. Understand their commitment to human-AI collaboration and social impact.

  • Practice Your Narrative: Prepare to articulate your experience and vision clearly, especially for the interview stages. Be ready to discuss your portfolio pieces in detail and answer strategic questions about AI product development and leadership.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 7 years of experience in a related discipline and a college degree, with a preference for an advanced degree in a relevant field. Proven experience in product management, technical team leadership, and navigating ambiguous research-to-product environments is required.