Senior Program Coordinator

Duke Careers•Durham, NC

5d•$48,960 - $77,928•Onsite

About The Position

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries. At Duke, we value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents that each member of our community brings. As the Senior Program Coordinator in the Department of Computer Science, you will play a critical role in supporting faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and student employees by coordinating human resources and payroll activities that keep the department running smoothly. You’ll be a trusted partner, problem-solver, and resource—helping ensure a welcoming, compliant, and well-supported workplace for all. In this role, you’ll take initiative, manage complexity, and contribute to continuous improvement in departmental operations. You’ll work across systems, teams, and employee groups to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance while supporting a dynamic academic environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience providing strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
Three years of experience in program administration or in academic, instructional, or counseling-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data and support reporting needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
Ability to interpret and apply academic, administrative, and institutional policies.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with Duke systems such as SAP and DukeHub.
Understanding of compliance, risk management, and institutional processes.
Commitment to continuous improvement, process efficiency, and service excellence.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and process human resources transactions for faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and student employees.
Support hiring, onboarding, transfers, and separations in collaboration with departmental leadership and central HR using Duke systems.
Coordinate recruitment activities, including job postings, applicant tracking, interview logistics, and hiring documentation.
Maintain accurate, audit-ready personnel records in alignment with university, Trinity, and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate and process payroll transactions across all employee categories, including new hires, transfers, cost distributions, rate and schedule changes, supplements, and payroll adjustments.
Support payroll coordination for undergraduate teaching assistants, graduate payroll, and departmental personnel payroll.
Monitor payroll timelines, identify discrepancies, and coordinate resolution with appropriate stakeholders, including the Business Manager.
Serve as a resource to faculty, staff, and managers by interpreting routine HR policies and procedures.
Assist with employee relations processes by coordinating documentation, facilitating communication, and escalating issues as needed.
Support consistent application of HR policies and compliance requirements across the department.
Coordinate visa-related documentation for international faculty, staff, and students in partnership with Duke Visa Services and other offices.
Track visa timelines and support timely submission of required materials.
Compile HR and payroll reports, including workforce data and personnel summaries, ensuring data accuracy across systems.
Assist with audits and compliance reviews by maintaining organized and complete documentation.
Identify trends or recurring issues and share insights with the Business Manager.
Support the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of HR and payroll workflows.
Serve as a liaison between the department and central HR, Payroll, Trinity Academic Affairs, dFAC, and other administrative units.
Coordinate HR-related communications and support departmental initiatives requiring HR collaboration.
Initiate and route iForm transactions to ensure timely and accurate processing.
Support departmental operations through coordination across administrative functions.
Participate in departmental projects, special initiatives, and operational efforts as assigned by leadership.