Senior Program Coordinator

Duke University • Durham, NC

75d • $48,960 - $77,928

About The Position

The Senior Program Coordinator provides leadership in planning, coordinating, and administering a university-wide initiative dedicated to space-related research spanning cosmology, law, policy, and economics, instrumentation and materials, and the biological and medical impacts of space travel. This role serves as the central hub for academic program development, strategic communications, financial management, and policy advising. The Senior Program Coordinator makes operational and programmatic decisions that directly affect the achievement of program goals and strategies. In addition, the role supports faculty and leadership by developing and coordinating program policy, supervising staff, and overseeing administrative functions, including budgeting, procurement, and reporting, to ensure effective and sustainable program growth in alignment with Duke's priorities.

Requirements

• Education: Work requires analytical, communication, and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
• Experience: Work requires three years of experience in program administration or involving academic, instructional, or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate, and implement a variety of program activities and events.
• OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Skills: Ability to provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting standards and monitoring performance.
• Skills using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems.
• Skills evaluating program performance, summarizing findings, communicating results, and forming an action plan.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.

Nice To Haves

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing reports, proposals, and outreach materials for a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and train staff while ensuring compliance with institutional standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget planning, financial reporting, and use of administrative systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, make independent operational and programmatic decisions, and advise leadership on policy matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster productive relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with website content management, social media, and event management tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of new academic initiatives, including strategy, research, and proposal development for a prospective master's program.
• Benchmark peer institutions and recommend strategies to strengthen the Initiative's academic competitiveness.
• Guide faculty and leadership on program operations and policy; develop and advise staff on procedures to ensure consistency with institutional goals.
• Manage the fellowship recruitment process, from application review and candidate communication to interview logistics and onboarding.
• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes using both qualitative and quantitative methods; analyze trends and recommend improvements to enhance program effectiveness.
• Direct the planning and execution of high-visibility academic events such as seminars, symposia, workshops, and panels.
• Oversee all event logistics, including speaker engagement, vendor management, budget oversight, and post-event evaluation.
• Develop targeted event communications, including promotional materials, newsletters, and press releases.
• Represent the Initiative at events, cultivating relationships with faculty, alumni, donors, and external partners.
• Manage and expand the Initiative's communications strategy, including curating website content, social media, and public-facing materials.
• Draft and edit content for diverse audiences, ensuring consistent branding, messaging, and tone.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Duke offices, faculty, alumni, donors, industry leaders, and government agencies to advance program objectives.
• Serve as the Initiative's primary liaison with university communications teams and external media outlets to increase visibility.
• Provide financial oversight for endowed and gift funds, including annual budget planning, development and monitoring, and donor reporting.
• Conduct reconciliations, forecasting, and compliance reviews to ensure fiscal responsibility and adherence to policies.
• Oversee administrative operations, including procurement, reimbursements, travel arrangements, and program correspondence.
• Develop and implement procedures, processes, and systems to support effective program administration.
• Supervise and train staff, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with program objectives.
• Manage revenue for future Master's program.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs.
• Generous retirement benefits.
• A wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree