Program Specialist

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist in the Office of Public Affairs is a key member of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Washington, D.C. Office. Based full time in Washington, D.C., the role provides high-level administrative, operational, communications, and engagement support for the Office of Public Affairs. The Program Specialist works closely with the Director and Assistant Director of Federal Affairs to support daily operations and help establish the office as a welcoming, professional, and effective resource for the University community. As a new position in a growing office, the Program Specialist helps develop, maintain, and update office policies, procedures, systems, and best practices to promote consistent and efficient operations. The role is the primary point of contact for office visitors, events, and engagement activities, interacting with campus administrators, faculty, students, alumni, members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agency representatives, national associations, peer institutions, and other external partners. The position requires sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and responsiveness when representing the University and the Office of Public Affairs. The Program Specialist also manages and supports communications for the Office of Federal Affairs. Working with the Director and Assistant Director, the role helps expand the office’s communications through newsletters, stakeholder updates, event materials, briefing documents, web content, social media coordination, and new initiatives, including developing and launching a monthly podcast. The position also manages financial and operational matters for the D.C. office space, including supplies and building management issues, and works with the Public Affairs unit’s business manager to ensure proper policies and procedures are followed for office-related transactions. The role handles sensitive and confidential information and must maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discretion. Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend work and occasional overtime.

Requirements

Excellent organizational skills.
Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Attention to detail.
Initiative and diplomacy.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and highly visible environment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and responsiveness.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally.

Nice To Haves

Experience or demonstrated interest in strategic communications, writing, digital content, and storytelling.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative, operational, communications, and engagement support for the Office of Public Affairs’ Washington, D.C. Office.
Support the daily operations of UNC–Chapel Hill’s D.C. presence in collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director of Federal Affairs.
Develop, maintain, and update office policies, procedures, systems, and best practices.
Serve as the primary point of contact for office visitors, events, and engagement activities.
Represent the University and Office of Public Affairs professionally and responsively when interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
Manage and support communications for the Office of Federal Affairs, including newsletters, stakeholder updates, event materials, briefing documents, web content, and social media coordination.
Help develop and launch a monthly podcast and other communications initiatives.
Manage financial and operational matters for the D.C. office space, including supplies and building management issues.
Work with the Public Affairs unit’s business manager to ensure proper policies and procedures are followed for transactions related to the D.C. office.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.