Program Coordinator Senior

Department: URC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

Provides direction in reviewing & recommending policy & procedure designed to enhance operational excellence of a program/project in order to ensure success. Ensures the effective, compliant, & efficient daily management of all operational, financial, & business functions in support of the business area's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Facilities, IT, & Provost. Represents program/project on internal & external administrative affairs by recommending alternatives & suggestions.

The senior program coordinator will be responsible for all University Research Institutes & Centers regarding joint appointments with National Labs, including appointment processing, project monitoring, and invoicing. With support, will be a thought leader and advisor for all joint appointments throughout Northwestern. Additionally, the senior program coordinator will provide OR-level post-award support for centers & institutes. The senior program coordinator will be key in reporting activities on sponsored projects and may assist with proposals as needed. Additionally, this position will assist with financial management of non-sponsored projects, including forecasting and budgeting.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains & reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Oversees documentation of agreements between NU and partner organizations, ensuring that agreements are completed, appropriately reviewed, approved, and adhered to by all parties.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained & meet the informational, analytical & computing needs of users.
• Ensures necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure services are appropriated from central or internal IT.
• Issues work order requests for maintenance, repairs & upgrades.

Budgets & Financial

• Oversees accurate, efficient and compliant workflow of all transactional processes across areas/units.
• Creates & oversees finances, budget, associated analysis & reports.
• Creates/enhances internal daily, monthly & annual processes & training.
• Reviews exceptions forms and reimbursements that require special attention.
• Develops fees, charges, recharge rates, etc for services.
• Approves funds reallocation within budget as necessary & appropriate.
• Recommends changes to tools to improve analysis, forecasting, modeling & reporting & ultimately quality of financial information & analyses provided to management for planning, evaluating & controlling operations.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives.

Grants & Contracts

• Supervises professional research administration support staff in order to facilitate & enhance all administrative grant processes & related compliance.
• Responsible for pre- & post-award administration; may be completed by research administrators.
• Builds relationships with Principal Investigators (PIs) & NU research associated offices
• Transfers knowledge & advises on research policy & procedure.
• Supervises payroll administration for research appointments.

Regulatory Compliance

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

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.
• 2 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

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

• Advanced knowledge of office systems such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Detail oriented with excellent writing, communications, and interpersonal skills.
• Some familiarity with financial reporting.
• High flexibility and able to work effectively with internal and external constituents, including students, faculty, administrators, donors and industry partners.
• Understanding of the philosophy, culture, goals and structure of a university.
• Able to prioritize among multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills, planning, and facilitating collaboration.
• Ability to work in a team environment, yet self-directed and confident working independently.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $62,000-$72,000 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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