Program Administrator Senior

Department: IPR - Inst for Policy Res
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

Oversees a major department/school-wide program or project & provides direction & thought leadership to develop strategic goals & objectives; defines associated metrics to measure results; & creates & obtains resources to ensure success. Reviews, creates & nurtures internal & external alliances, collaborations and partnerships.

The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at Northwestern University is seeking a Sr. Program Administrator to join us as a core team member of the Early Childhood Research Alliance for Chicago (EC*REACH). EC*REACH is Chicago's hub for early childhood research. We unite diverse partners across Chicago to produce and support action-oriented research that promotes equitable solutions for early childhood policy and practice. Together, we spark new collaborations, identify pressing questions, share insights, and design relevant and rigorous research that improves the lives of young children and families in Chicago and beyond.

As a key senior team member reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Sr. Program Administrator will develop, implement, and oversee the operational and research infrastructure that EC*REACH needs to successfully achieve our mission. This includes overseeing EC*REACH's administrative, grants management, and financial functions in coordination with IPR and University offices.

The position will be a one-year appointment with renewal for a second term contingent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Core to the mission of IPR and EC*REACH is the hiring, training, and development of a diverse set of scholars, researchers, and staff. We encourage and welcome applications from members of groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the research field, those with lived experience, and those who are intimately familiar with the communities, systems, and programs in which our work is centered.

Specific Responsibilities :

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Operationalizes goals & objectives; ensures that resources are created or obtained.
• Manages customer service; creates associated practices & procedures & metrics to measure success.
• Manages logistics requirements, including facilities, venue, scheduling, technology, instruction, catering, etc.
• Oversees documentation of agreements between NU and partner institutions, ensuring that agreements are complete and reviewed by all necessary NU officials.
• Participates in developing IT strategy to meet the mission & needs of program/project.
• Ensures necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure technology services are appropriated from central or internal IT.

Budgets & Financial

• Ensures that the program/project meets associated revenue & expense goals.
• Develops and implements ideas for improving business processes, and increasing program/project revenues and margins.
• Plans & manages complex budget(s) which fund strategic mission including financial sustainability & enhancement models.
• Plans & implements annual budget process.
• Oversees all daily, monthly & annual financial activities including transactions, analysis, & reporting.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.

Evaluation

• Oversees development & implementation of evaluation processes, quantitative & qualitative measurements that ensure that program/project benchmarks are successfully attained and communicated in a timely and efficient manner.
• Manages evaluation processes; recommends & implements changes for enhancement; monitors effectiveness through follow-up evaluation studies.

Grants & Contracts

• Develops new proposals for research including obtaining financial support.
• Writes technical reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations.

Human Resources

• Manages implementation of human resource programs, policies, procedures & talent management lifecycle & related mentoring & training.
• Oversees recruitment & selection process; Performance Excellence plan for each employee; & merit increase process.
• Manages & provides consultation regarding complex performance problems & issues; administers leaves; approves timesheets & oversees completion of annual staff Conflict of Interest survey.
• Interprets HR policy to maximize effectiveness of HR administration to meet strategic plan objectives.

Regulatory Compliance

• Oversees development & implementation of processes & procedures for all safety, security & compliance programs.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.
• Oversees creation &/or implementation of associated training.

Strategic Planning

• Provides guidance and support to staff in the creation of program/project components.

Student Support

• Oversees recruitment, application evaluation, interview, selection and notification of students or participants.
• Creates department strategy for structure, process, & staff support of students.

Supervision

• 1 (May supervise) Supervises 2-4 staff.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 5 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong organizational skills, planning, and facilitating collaboration.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Interest in supporting the day-to-day operations of a growing team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting research and program operations within a university setting.
• Demonstrated track record of managing program or departmental budgets.
• Demonstrated track record of successful pre- and post-award grants management, including federally funded research studies and grants from private foundations.
• Supervisory and program/project management experience.
• Experience in early childhood research, policy, and/or practice.
• Knowledge of Chicago's early childhood system or the City of Chicago more generally.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Strong follow-through and detail-oriented focus on ensuring the success of a project from start to finish.
• Big-picture, systems thinker who approaches their work strategically, analytically, and creatively.
• Comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and thrives in a start-up environment that is rapidly evolving with many unknowns.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $82,000-$90,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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