(On-site) Program Manager - Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship

The Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Program Manager.

About the Opportunity

This role provides programmatic and operational leadership for the Director of the Washington Center. This position functions with a high degree of autonomy, executing complex assignments and mission-critical support without detailed instruction. By exercising independent judgment and initiative, the incumbent manages specialized projects and program operations that directly increase the Director's capacity to achieve the unit's strategic goals and objectives.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Recruitment and Marketing

• Develop and execute an annual recruitment strategy to meet enrollment targets for The Washington Center programs.
• Formulate marketing plans involving digital media, print collateral, and direct outreach to elevate the program brand across the WVU system.
• Oversee the creation of promotional content to ensure messaging aligns with university strategic missions and brand guidelines.
• Design and facilitate recruitment sessions, workshops, and orientations tailored to specific student and faculty audiences.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and impact reports to determine the ROI of marketing and recruitment initiatives.

Fiscal and Resource Administration

• Manage communication of the program budget, including preparing annual reports, providing monthly or quarterly forecasts, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Review monthly financial reports and provide regular account status updates to program leadership.
• Administer the department P-Card program and procurement lifecycle in compliance with state and university audit standards.
• Oversee program assets and inventory, authorizing the purchase of supplies and technology required for office and event functionality.
• Coordinate travel logistics and reimbursement processes, ensuring all documentation meets filing protocols.

Office Operations and Executive Support

• Develop and implement internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve administrative efficiency.
• Manage the executive calendar, meeting requests, and communications for the Administrator.
• Establish and maintain systematic filing and data management systems for program records.
• Author and edit reports, manuscripts, and strategic memoranda, ensuring professional standards in grammar and tone.
• Oversee the physical office operations, visitor reception, and physical and electronic correspondence, including bulk mailings.

Event Management and Personnel Leadership

• Lead end-to-end project management for the annual conference and other events, including venue selection, contract negotiation, and programming design.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external vendors and resolve any contractual disputes.
• Interview, select, train, and evaluate assigned staff or student workers.
• Oversee personnel actions, including time and leave reporting and onboarding procedures for the work unit.
• Represent the Program at university functions, acting as an authorized spokesperson for the Director when necessary.

Other

• Serve on committees and task forces as requested.
• Manage and coordinate special projects for the administrator.
• Participate in training and professional development sessions to enhance job performance.
• Perform related duties as assigned or as directed.

• Master's degree
• A minimum of one (1) year of directly related work experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, utilizing logical reasoning and analytical skills to manage complex projects and develop creative solutions for program-level challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize competing workflows, set institutional deadlines, and strategically allocate resources to meet program goals.
• Thorough knowledge of student recruitment lifecycles, with the ability to design and implement outreach campaigns tailored to diverse academic demographics.
• Expert-level knowledge of large-scale event planning, including logistics, stakeholder management, and the authority to negotiate vendor service terms and contractual obligations.
• Advanced knowledge of fiscal management and budget forecasting, with the ability to manage departmental funds and P-Card expenses in compliance with university and audit standards.
• Ability to rapidly master and interpret complex university and state policies, applying them to unique, non-routine situations and providing guidance to the work unit and external partners.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to professionally represent the Program and University to students, donors, and high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated mastery in handling highly sensitive information with the utmost professional discretion, ethical judgment, and strict adherence to confidentiality protocols.
• Proven ability to foster cooperative working relationships across all levels of the university and lead cross-functional teams toward common objectives.
• Skilled in the management of personnel, including the ability to recruit, train, and evaluate the performance of staff or student employees.
• Solid competency in using professional software packages, including marketing/design tools, database management, CRM platforms, and web design.

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

• Work is typically performed in a normal office environment; some duties may require lifting and carrying boxes of materials/supplies, traveling to different locations/sites, climbing stairs and near-constant use of computer.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.