Senior Program Specialist
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Senior Program Specialist will drive initiatives across the Alternative Assets Management Center (AAMC), the Don Jackson Fellows (DJF) Program, and the Cox Career Management Center (CMC) supporting placement of Cox students into highly-competitive roles, which are vital for SMU's reputation and rankings.

The position provides daily support to direct reports and programs including donor and board relations, marketing, student and external event planning, career services support, managing "Alts" student recruitment, enrollment, organizational administrative and operational aspects of all programs.

The position will maintain accurate databases/trackers of alumni and advisory board members; coordinate with vendors; assist in the preparation of annual reports; processing of scholarships and expense reimbursements.

This is a full-time position contingent on endowment gift funding.

Essential Functions:

• Program Management: Design/implement programming to help prepare students interested in Investment Banking / Private Equity / Venture Capital prepare for recruiting process. Collaborate with the CMC in the planning, development and coordination of marketing and recruitment efforts to secure new employers in a highly-competitive field.
  
• Oversee end-to-end student recruitment: marketing, processing applications, coordinating interviews, candidate selection. Provide consultation to students interested in Alts. Collaborate w/ CMC, alumni, and employers to plan and execute panels and workshops. Track students through process and procure technical preparation materials. Coordinate w/CMC to track/update alts alumni/student job status.
  
  
• Manage team of Don Jackson Fellow peer mentors. Assist in the development and management of career development programming and outreach programs; participate in industry recruitment efforts through coordination with Cox Career Management create and distribute resume books for students as alumni and employers request.
  
• Oversee and plan yearly events including but not limited to board meetings, AAMC Hatting Ceremony, Homecoming event, DJC alumni events/dinners, DJC awards ceremony/Annual Graduation luncheon and receptions, and national career treks. Coordinate/schedule arrangements for speakers.
  
• Administration: Establish and manage administrative processes to conform to Cox and University policies. Administrative support for direct supervisors.
• Marketing: Develop/maintain website and manage social media presence. Prepare event collateral as needed. Connect alumni with other alumni through events and sending out employment opportunities for appropriate alum classes. Assist departments to plan and execute annual giving efforts; create/maintain donor/sponsor database..
  
  
• Business and Reporting: Coordinate/schedule arrangements for speakers, process payments, order and organize materials. Sourcing vendors of promotional items to secure competitive rates. Assist in the development of budget, budgeting for events and collateral. Perform yearly endowment reports. Submit expense reports. Manage contracts for events and work with the Purchasing Department on all approvals.
  
• Business and Reporting: Coordinate/schedule arrangements for speakers, process payments, order and organize materials. Sourcing vendors of promotional items to secure competitive rates. Assist in the development of budget, budgeting for events and collateral. Perform yearly endowment reports. Submit expense reports. Manage contracts for events and work with the Purchasing Department on all approvals.
  
• The position plays an important advisory and support role to the direct supervisors.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of five years of work experience is required.

Experience administering academic programs is desirable, as well as a background in a university setting working with students and faculty alike or background in campus or corporate recruitment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal communications skills to effectively interact with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Must also demonstrate a strong customer service orientation, a high level of professionalism, and adhere to confidential standards. The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities and needs of the office is essential. Position will require ability to handle donor information with discretion.

Candidate must demonstrate strong written communication skills with ability to disseminate information into precise and effective written communications. Must also demonstrate a strong focus on attention to detail.

Candidate must have strong time management, organizational, and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Must also be a self-starter and demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as in collaborative environments in implementing the goals and objectives of the Centers.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to be resourceful, proactive, and seek assistance as needed. Strong process and/or project management skills are essential.

Candidate must have proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel). Experience in database management, internet research, electronic event management tools, and familiarity with Linked In and other social networking tools is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
  
• Stand
  
• Handle objects (dexterity)
  

Deadline to Apply:

November 11, 2024

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

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.

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