Program Administrator, Abrams Climate Academy

Department: Kellogg Strategy & Academics
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is developing the newly created Abrams Climate Academy as an elite program dedicated to attracting and cultivating future sustainability leaders and building a community of change agents. The Academy will prepare leaders in business, science, engineering, product design, communication, law and public service to take meaningful action on climate problems. Multidisciplinary student teams will work with relevant corporate partners and mentors on co-generative plans as part of ongoing engagement between the Academy and the broader community. Over the yearlong experiential program, the student teams will develop a strategic blueprint for implementing a climate solution within a corporate setting for high-impact results.

The Academy is forming its administrative structure to include a Program Administrator who will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy, including the year-long experiential curricula, and supporting the student fellows, corporate partners, and alumni. Responsibilities include managing the logistics of the student teams including maintaining the program data, tracking program finances, overseeing program communications, and building program partnerships. This role will attract candidates interested in working in a start-up environment, which includes building a new interdisciplinary University program.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Development and Delivery

• Supports the creation and implementation of the program infrastructure and works with faculty to prepare curriculum for review and approval, liaising with faculty across Northwestern, partnering with sustainability leaders in the corporate sector, and recruiting students across relevant programs and schools.
• Researches competitor, and state-of-the art developments to enhance, improve, and innovate and delivery of program curriculum.
• Coordinates with the Director on the delivery of all onsite instruction and provision of logistical support.
• Onboards and supports corporate partners and alumni as program instructors and manages relationships with sustainability and climate change partners.
• Works with Director and faculty to continually assess and innovate the program to achieve program goals and implement new initiatives as needed.
• Support the annual Climate Action Summit, the capstone event for the fellows.
• Partners with the Director to support the Academy's advisory board.

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations of the program are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Operationalizes strategic goals & objectives.
• Manages goals, objectives, outcome measurements and metrics, financial feasibility, marketing strategies and collaboration opportunities with other internal and external organizations.
• Analyzes data & recommends & implements changes & improvements to better ensure attainment of mission.
• Manages logistics and IT requirements, including facilities, scheduling, technology, instruction, catering, etc.
• Ensures necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure technology services are appropriated from central or internal IT.
• Coordinates travel and other logistical needs for team projects.

Budgets & Financial

• Manages budget and expenditures associated with the Abrams Academy including
  • Develop annual budget in consultation with Director and submit budget to leadership for approval
  • Enter individual transactions and ensure compliance with budget; verify invoices and expense reports for accuracy
  • Conduct vendor research as needed.
• Administers all financial disbursements and reimbursements for expenses and awards related to the program.
• Supports the Director in implementing the annual budget process.
• Oversees all daily, monthly & annual financial activities including transactions, analysis, & reporting.
• Proposes funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.

Communication & Outreach

• Supports program marketing/branding efforts including maintaining the Abrams Climate Action Academy website in collaboration with the IMC.
• Responds to or redirects inquiries from students, potential corporate partners, and alumni.
• Engages in outreach serving several goals, including recruitment, participation, sponsorship, relationship building, etc. to support continued program development & improvement.
• Builds relationships with past cohort participants to develop and cultivate professional networks and sense of community among alumni.

Evaluation

• Supports development & implementation of evaluation processes, quantitative & qualitative measurements that ensure that program benchmarks are successfully attained and communicated in a timely and efficient manner.
• Manages data collection by creating and managing surveys and analyzing the results.

Student Support

• Oversees the recruitment, application evaluation, interview, selection and notification of students within the cohort.
• Partners with the Director to manage the matching process of the corporate partners and fellows.
• Supports each cohort of fellows, fostering a growing community of sustainability leaders throughout the program and post-graduation.

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.
• 4 years program/project administration or other relevant experience within an academic setting.

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

• Exceptional communication skills with attention to detail and flexibility
• Ability to professionally interact with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, and executive corporate leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously
• Strong initiative and the ability to work with minimal supervision as well as be a strong cross-functional team member
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Able to and has a strong interest in building a program from the ground up.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $65,000 - $78,000 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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