Program Specialist

Southern Methodist University • Dallas, TX

33d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Program Specialist for the SMU Impact Lab provides high-level administrative, operational, and project management support to advance the mission of the Impact Lab. This position plays a key role in coordinating cross-campus and community partnerships, managing program operations, supporting investment- and impact-related initiatives, and serving as a liaison between the Fund Manager, SMU stakeholders, and external partners.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience is required.
• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills with the ability to represent the program professionally to senior administrators and external partners..
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Candidate must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools. (knowledge of an interest in interfacing and utilizing LLMs such as Chat GPT, Grok, Claud or others) is essential.

Nice To Haves

• A degree in Business or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in event planning and stakeholder coordination is preferred.
• Candidate familiarity with impact investing, social innovation, or entrepreneurship is preferred.
• Candidate familiarity with Apple operating systems and social media platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Program Coordination and Operations - Coordinate day-to-day operations of the SMU Impact Lab, including scheduling, event logistics, communications, and administrative processes. Support planning and execution of classes, pitch days, workshops, and student engagement events. Maintain project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure smooth execution of Lab initiatives.
• Project Management - Serve as project manager for select Impact Lab initiatives, ensuring timely completion of tasks and effective collaboration among students, faculty, and community partners. Develop and maintain project management systems (e.g., Airtable, Asana, or university-approved platforms) for tracking progress across multiple programs.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication - Serve as primary liaison between the Fund Manager and university stakeholders including faculty, administrators, and student leaders. Draft and send correspondence, meeting invitations, and follow-up communications on behalf of the Fund Manager. Coordinate engagement with members of the Investor Committee, Advisory Board, and community partners.
• Event and Meeting Coordination - Plan and execute all logistics for Impact Lab events, including venue coordination, catering, AV setup, guest communication, and registration. Coordinate class and meeting schedules with faculty, students, and external participants. Support investor and advisor participation in key Lab events and presentations. Prepare briefing materials, agendas, for meetings.
• Administrative Support & Office Management - Manage calendar, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and expense reporting for the Fund Manager. Maintain organized digital records, contact lists, and project documentation. Ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• General - Assist with the collection and organization of data and reports related to program outcomes and impact metrics. Support due diligence and evaluation process. Support outreach and relationship management with impact investors, philanthropic partners, and external collaborators. Manage communications and event logistics for public-facing activities, including pitch days, investor briefings, and campus-wide events.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required.

Benefits

• SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
• SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
• The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees