Academic Support Specialist

Mercer University•Atlanta, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mercer University is searching for an Academic Support Specialist for the Physician Assistant Studies Program on the Atlanta, Georgia campus. The Academic Support Specialist functions independently in direct support of the Program Director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and is responsible for coordinating the daily administrative, financial, operational, and event-related activities of the PA Program. This position supports program financial operations by assisting with budget monitoring, coordinating and tracking financial transactions, and ensuring the timely processing of payments to preceptors, lecturers, vendors, and other partners. The role maintains accurate documentation for purchases, invoices, reimbursements, and related financial records and liaises with university offices to ensure compliance and timely completion of financial processes. The Academic Support Specialist also supports program operations by maintaining the ARC-PA portal, coordinating admissions-related activities, managing the program calendar, and ensuring continuity of essential administrative processes. This position serves as the central coordinator for program events, overseeing scheduling, logistics, communications, and vendor coordination. Additionally, the role independently manages day-to-day office operations and provides comprehensive administrative support to faculty, staff, and students to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the PA Program.

Requirements

Two years of college coursework and one year of administrative support experience, which should include working with budgets.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access), including the ability to develop presentations, reports, databases, financial tracking tools, policies, and program materials; strong working knowledge of Excel required.
Working knowledge of academic and administrative systems (e.g., Canvas, Qualtrics, calendaring tools) with the ability to support end users.
Ability to maintain accurate records and databases, including tracking detailed administrative, financial, and instructor-related information.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage complex, multi-step processes.
Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, motivation, sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to anticipate operational needs with minimal supervision.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to read, comprehend, and interpret written information and clearly understand and respond to verbal communication.
Demonstrated ability to provide professional, clear communication, strong customer service, and build collaborative working relationships across diverse stakeholders.
Ability to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, university offices, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive program, faculty, and student information.
Professional demeanor and ability to interact appropriately with students, guests, and external constituents.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and workflows in a dynamic academic environment with cyclical demands.

Nice To Haves

In lieu of education, equivalent directly related experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Coordinating the daily administrative, financial, operational, and event-related activities of the PA Program.
Supporting program financial operations by assisting with budget monitoring, coordinating and tracking financial transactions, and ensuring the timely processing of payments to preceptors, lecturers, vendors, and other partners.
Maintaining accurate documentation for purchases, invoices, reimbursements, and related financial records.
Liaising with university offices to ensure compliance and timely completion of financial processes.
Maintaining the ARC-PA portal.
Coordinating admissions-related activities.
Managing the program calendar.
Ensuring continuity of essential administrative processes.
Serving as the central coordinator for program events, overseeing scheduling, logistics, communications, and vendor coordination.
Independently managing day-to-day office operations.
Providing comprehensive administrative support to faculty, staff, and students to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the PA Program.