Manager of Educational Programs, Outreach and Events

Overview

The Manager of Educational Programs, Outreach and Events in the Department of Chemistry leads education-centered efforts and manages all aspects of student programming for the department, including the undergraduate program and one of the largest graduate student programs (+/- 170 students) at Princeton. This position works closely with the Associate Chair, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Director of Undergraduate Studies to craft and execute cohesive policy on student advising, academic support and fund stewardship, admissions recruiting, enrollment processes, and required academic milestone completion. The role includes the management of department and endowed funds for graduate and undergraduate student programming, involving close reconciliation of accounts and budget forecasting using University financial reporting systems. The position provides administrative leadership on outreach initiatives in the department and engages in sophisticated analysis of recruiting, program, and student life outcomes for strategic planning.

The Manager of Educational Programs, Outreach and Events supervises four staff members, including a communications specialist/science writer, an undergraduate program administrator, a graduate program manager and an administrative office coordinator to facilitate all outreach and educational programs activities, including but not limited to corporate recruiting, departmental and student-focused events, weekly seminars, annual symposia, and student milestone scheduling. Staff supervision includes full and consistent performance management processes including frequent meetings, providing timely feedback, monitoring employee objectives and long-term goals, providing professional development, managing performance appraisals, and coaching for success.

Responsibilities

• Point of Expertise on Undergraduate and Graduate Program Policies: Partners with the Associate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies and the Director of Undergraduate Studies to develop policy and programming strategies for the Graduate and Undergraduate Programs. Advises faculty on university policy, academic affairs, student life, and financial support. Leads student life and academic counseling with sound judgment on policy and discretion with sensitive information, including significant partnership with Graduate School leadership on matters related to student grievance mediation and complaint resolution. Understands FERPA and the University Records Management Policy. Develops and distributes communications on the academic and financial requirements and policies of the chemistry doctoral program, non-degree programs, and the Graduate School. Serves as liaison for the DGS and Graduate School, including the preparation of policy proposals and external communications.
• Academic Program Management and Event Oversight: Assigns tasks and responsibilities to four direct reports and other staff, as needed, to accomplish the scheduling, event coordination and on-the-ground coverage for programming and academic milestone completions for graduate students including: admission and recruiting processes, placement exams, orientation, reenrollment, generals exams, 3rd-year student seminars, several large-scale graduate-student-hosted department celebrations, prospective student visiting weekends (2-3 weekends with 20-60 guests per weekend), corporate recruiting (16), and student onboarding. Leads a staff of four in planning and supporting all on-the-ground activities for an annual off-site departmental retreat for +/- 200 department members. Oversees all graduate student enrollment procedures, including managing communications with new faculty bringing trailing students to Princeton. Works closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to guide and assist the Undergraduate Administrator in keeping undergraduate curriculum records, distributing financial support, designing student outreach, and supporting summer programming.
• Reporting and Program Evaluation: Analyzes and reports on multi-year survey data of student records and progress indicators for the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty as it relates to policy changes, admissions, diversity and inclusion initiatives, exam results and other areas of program evaluation to evaluate effectiveness and inform decision-making in efforts to improve educational programs. Uses internal records to reconcile Graduate School report requests for milestone completion, contributes a significant amount of data for the annual Chemistry Report to the President, and responds to reporting requirements from external sponsors. Responds to requests for program analysis for other University reporting requirements including, among others, academic reviews and strategic planning.
• Financials: Manages operational budgets for student programs (~$500k for graduate student programs and ~600k for undergraduate student programs, some of which are endowed). Collaborates with the Senior Grants Manager to plan for and allocate endowed funds for graduate student support ($2.5M). Responsible for reporting to the department and/or the Graduate School, communications with donors and coordinating with Corporate and Foundation Relations Offices on events. Approves payments for student travel supported by department travel grant or prize awards. Oversees the student casual-hourly employment process. Frequently collaborates with the Chemistry Business/Grants Office to ensure that accurate and up-to-date student is available for financial planning. Manages student prizes and award processes, coordinating nominations and processing payments with proper allocations. Enters all student support allocations in Labor Accounting, working with the Graduate School's Budget Office and the department's Senior Grants Manager on reenrollment and external support matters.
• Outreach: Manages a communication specialist/science writer to craft and execute the communication strategy for the department, including: multimedia recruiting materials, letters to existing and potential donors, community outreach, and alumni communications. Oversees outreach programming in the department for undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers and faculty. Manages the budgeting, application processing and review, appointments, and administration of an annual Visiting Faculty Program.
• Staff Management: Manages a staff of four direct reports essential to the department's successful functioning, including a communications specialist/science writer, a graduate program coordinator, an undergraduate administrator, and an administrative office coordinator. Leads all recruiting processes for these positions, including crafting job descriptions, posting ads, evaluating applications, setting interview committees, scheduling interviews, selecting finalists, and onboarding new hires. Engages in regular coaching and development conversations to help direct reports meet organizational and personal goals. Conducts the entire management performance review process (regular progress updates, annual performance review meeting, annual written performance review, and input on merit increases) for four direct reports. Coordinates daily workflow to ensure a clear distribution of responsibilities to all direct reports, provides them with regular training and project oversight, and fosters collective goal-setting and process knowledge. Crafts direct report promotion proposals, implements performance improvement plans when needed, and offers timely and relevant feedback.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Must possess initiative and flexibility, be responsive, pay close attention to detail, and handle all matters with diplomacy and discretion.
• Empathy, patience and excellent interpersonal skills are critical.
• Knowledge of Equity and Inclusion theory and practice.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential.
• Must be able to work some evenings and several weekends per year.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and data analysis; ability to prioritize projects, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Facility with statistics and data analysis.
• Previous managerial experience a plus.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Standard Weekly Hours 36.25

Eligible for Overtime No

Benefits Eligible Yes

Probationary Period 180 days

Experience Level Mid-Senior Level

Salary Range $91,000 to $102,000