"Program Coordinator, Brandcenter"

Job Details

Welcome to VCU, a world unlike any other.

We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.

Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

This isn't business as usual. It's innovation at work. We are unlike any business school you've ever seen.

Join us. You can be unstoppable here.

Unit: School Of Business, Brandcenter

Department Summary: For the past 30 years, The Brandcenter at VCU has helped launch more than 2,000 alumni through its nationally recognized master’s program. We are the creative training ground for people who develop bold ideas and innovative solutions in advertising, business, art, culture, emerging technology, and beyond. Our community is collaborative, fast-paced, and deeply committed to preparing the next generation of creative leaders.

Position Summary:

The Brandcenter at VCU invites highly motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the position of Program Coordinator. This role is essential to the Brandcenter Operations team and supports all faculty, staff, students, and guests in service to the Brandcenter’s academic mission. This position reports to the Director of Operations.

The Program Coordinator provides high-level administrative, financial, and operational support, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, proactive coordination, and exceptional customer service. This position also plays a key role in stewardship of front-of-house program representation and may supervise a small team of student workers who support front desk operations during the academic year.

The Program Coordinator is expected to carry out responsibilities accurately, professionally, and with a high degree of accountability, exercising discretion and independent judgment while working collaboratively across teams and with minimal supervision.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and participate in departmental meetings and internal events, ensuring preparedness and follow-through.
• Ensure program operations run smoothly during business hours, including coordinating front desk coverage and serving as a point of contact for operational needs.
• Oversee front desk operations to ensure a welcoming, professional, and consistent experience for guests, prospective students, faculty, and the Brandcenter community.
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise student workers who support front desk coverage and administrative tasks throughout the academic year.
• Perform fiscal functions such as purchase orders, payment requests for student awards, travel coordination for faculty, staff, and students, reimbursements, and expense processing.
• Utilize university procurement systems (Pcard, RealSource, RealTime, etc.) and reconcile transactions monthly with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ensure that all transactions are processed in compliance with university policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Assist with all service-related contracts and ensure timely execution and renewal in partnership with the Director of Operations.
• Create and maintain tracking systems to proactively monitor purchases and expenses to assist the Director of Operations with reconciliation and reporting.
• Manage processes that support the faculty, adjunct, and student experience, including syllabi coordination, card access management, policy tracking, course appraisal delivery, office supply management, room reservation systems, etc.
• Coordinate logistics and serve as internal operations lead for large annual events and other programming.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure events are well-organized and aligned with program expectations.
• Work on special projects and initiatives as needed to support the Brandcenter.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Excellent problem solving, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills that support effective collaboration with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional collaboration skills by building strong relationships across teams or departments.
• Ability to serve as a proactive and solutions-oriented problem-solver, identifying program challenges and opportunities for process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to execute detailed administrative work in a timely and accurate manner, while maintaining confidentiality and integrity in all areas, but especially in those of finance and personnel administration.
• Commitment to customer service and creating a positive, inclusive, and professional environment.
• Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, complex work environment that may present conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple calendars, schedule meetings, coordinate logistics, and resolve scheduling conflicts with professionalism.
• Ability to learn and use a variety of computer programs and office applications, such as Microsoft or Google Workspace.
• Ability to supervise student workers and support their development.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to support events (significant notice given).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information and comply with university policies, including student privacy regulations (e.g., FERPA).

Preferred Qualifications

• College-level coursework in a business-related field or equivalent experience (e.g., 2-3 years in office management or administrative roles).
• Prior experience in an administrative or support position or relevant work experience in a university setting
• Experience with higher education, governmental, or corporate financial systems for purchasing and procurement (e.g., Banner, Reporting Center, SAS Reporting, RealTime, DocuSign, VCU FileLocker, RealSource, Chrome River, Collegiate Travel Planners, Google Suite applications, etc.)
• Familiarity with university, state, and federal policies related to financial transactions and timekeeping.
• Previous experience using event management or CRM software (e.g. Slate).
• Prior experience using Jotform or Smartsheet platforms.

Salary Range: $50,000-55,000

Additional Information:

Priority will be given to candidates who submit their applications by 1/5/2026.

This position is primarily in person, however, there may be opportunities for remote or flexible work at specific times of the year, working around the academic calendar in coordination with the supervisor.

Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, but may require periodic evenings and weekends for event support.

The Brandcenter is committed to the growth and professional development of its team members and will provide opportunities to foster a culture of learning and career development.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S without the need for employer sponsorship.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 1921B - Program Specialist GA Base