Program Manager I - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Washington University in St. Louis • Columbus, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington University Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is seeking a Program Manager for Postdoctoral Community Engagement, who reports to the Associate Director for Postdoctoral Education & Partnerships and works collaboratively with other members of the OPA leadership team. The Program Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to cultivate an inclusive, connected postdoctoral community. This role includes designing and assessing competency-based curricula for wellness, culture, and community integration, organizing key events, and building relationships with former postdoctoral appointees. The Program Manager supervises postdoc affinity groups, establishes partnerships with key stakeholders, and represents the OPA on various committees. The role also includes coordinating communications and ensuring effective branding and content management. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing postdoctoral needs and fostering a supportive community. The OPA serves around 1,000 postdoctoral appointees on both the Danforth Campus and the Medical Campus. As an active unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the OPA works to ensure that postdoctoral appointees have the support they need to grow as scholars and make meaningful contributions to the university and beyond. We serve as experts on postdoctoral appointments, administer postdoctoral policy, advocate for postdoctoral issues, help postdocs reach their career and professional goals, and collaborate with institutional and national partners to create a lively, supported, and inclusive postdoctoral community. We will begin scheduling interviews on April 27, 2026.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Relevant Experience (3 Years)
• Academic Administration
• Graduate Education
• Higher Education Administration

Nice To Haves

• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Analytical Thinking
• Audience Engagement
• Curriculum Development
• Database Management
• Detail-Oriented
• Inclusion Strategies
• Instructional Material Development
• Interpersonal Communication
• Microsoft Office
• Needs Assessment
• Oral Communications
• People Management
• Program Designing
• Strategic Thinking
• Teaching
• Team Diversity
• Written Communication

Responsibilities

• Program Development and Evaluation Develops, implements, and assesses strategic initiatives for postdoctoral well-being, mental health, financial wellness, and community integration.
• Leads the organization of high-impact projects such as the New Postdoc Orientation, Annual Postdoc Symposium, National Postdoc Appreciation Week, and OPA Annual Report.
• Develops, implements, and assesses strategic initiatives to build relationships with former postdoctoral appointees.
• Analyzes metrics across programs and the postdoctoral community and creates data-driven reports.
• Thought Leadership and Partner Management Contributes to the OPA leadership team providing specialized knowledge and skills to set and achieve organizational, programmatic, and operational goals.
• Oversees and advises postdoc affinity and professional groups and ensures their projects and expenses follow programming and budgetary criteria.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with key campus and local partners, professional societies, as well as national organizations involved in postdoctoral training.
• Represents the OPA on internal and external committees, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Communication Oversight Oversees the generation and circulation of administrative and academic communications to postdocs, faculty, staff, and university leadership.
• Advises postdocs, faculty, and staff, in response to concerns and complex situations related to the WashU postdoctoral experience.
• Supervises OPA branding and content on OPA facilities, documents, database, digital platforms, accessibility platforms, and promotional materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager