Program Coordinator Senior

Department: Trienens Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

*Please submit a cover letter and resume for the fullest consideration*

Provides direction in reviewing & recommending policy & procedure designed to enhance operational excellence of a program/project in order to ensure success. Ensures the effective, compliant, & efficient daily management of all operational, financial, & business functions in support of the business area's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Facilities, IT, & Provost. Represents program/project on internal & external administrative affairs by recommending alternatives & suggestions.

The program/project is summarized below.

The Senior Program Coordinator serves as a key lead for admissions operations, marketing and communications, student experience, and alumni engagement for Trienens Education / the Master of Science in Energy & Sustainability (MSES) program. This role provides strategic oversight and day-to-day management of these functional areas, supervises a Program Assistant, and represents the program in internal meetings and external-facing activities. The Coordinator works closely with faculty, staff, and central partners to ensure a high-quality student experience

Please note: Occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate information sessions, or other special events.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains & reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Oversees documentation of agreements between NU and partner organizations, ensuring that agreements are completed, appropriately reviewed, approved, and adhered to by all parties.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained & meet the informational, analytical & computing needs of users.
• Ensures necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure services are appropriated from central or internal IT.
• Issues work order requests for maintenance, repairs & upgrades.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Ensures program/project success in regard to revenue & expense goals including recruitment, participation, etc.
• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion.
• Creates & implements program/project brand identity and marketing & advertising strategy.
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs, working with partner institutions & media to ensure marketing plan effectively targets applicants, sponsors, etc.
• Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.
• Pursues opportunities for alumni contact & solicitation.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives.

Events

• Manages programming, educational, student, alumni, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Manages planning and arrangement of meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Program Development

• Researches competitor, and state-of-the art developments to enhance, improve, and innovate program curricula and delivery to better meet goals & objectives.
• Coordinates with program/project sponsors on the delivery of all onsite instruction and provision of logistical support.
• Recruits, trains and assigns faculty/instructors to teach programs.
• Supervises creation of components, including curriculum development, lectures, conferences, seminars, support groups, etc.
• Oversee development and implementation of new program/project initiatives.
• Manages relationships with partners, foundations, etc. and coordinates logistical support
• Continually assesses and innovates program/project to achieve educational goals.
• Develops strategy for program/project growth and expansion.

Strategic Planning

• Manages & implements strategic plans.
• Reviews plans, meets with leadership & key faculty & staff.
• Provides advice & counsel & recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.

Student Support

• Manages recruitment, application evaluation, interview, selection and notification of students or participants.
• Implements admissions criteria in accordance with associated NU policy.
• Supervises student orientation, registration, student life, graduation, etc.
• Supervises student matters, such as academic probation and other issues escalated from staff.
• Implements an advising system to support all students, including working directly with prospective and enrolled students on issues ranging from qualifications for enrollment, course and placement planning, as well as career planning.
• Implements a department strategy for structure, process, & staff support of students.
• Prepares academic year course schedule; monitors course registration & enrollments.

Supervision

• Supervises 1-2 staff.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 2 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple program functions or projects, including planning, execution, and follow-through, in a complex administrative environment.

• Demonstrated ability to support or lead processes related to admissions, recruitment, marketing communications, and/or student-facing services.

• Strong ability to manage competing priorities, timelines, and deliverables across multiple stakeholders while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

• Ability to use administrative systems, databases, and reporting tools to track applications, enrollment, student engagement, or program outcomes.

• Ability to identify issues, apply sound judgment, and resolve routine and moderately complex programmatic challenges independently.

• Ability to guide, train, or oversee the work of administrative staff or student workers, and to ensure consistent service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education, particularly in graduate admissions, academic programs, student services, or alumni engagement.

• Hands-on experience with admissions or CRM platforms (e.g., Slate or similar systems), including data management and reporting.

• Experience supporting marketing initiatives, digital communications, events, or recruitment outreach.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of program areas, anticipate needs, and proactively improve processes or student experience.
• Experience planning and executing recruitment, student, or alumni events, and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret data and feedback to inform recruitment strategies, program improvements, or engagement efforts.
• Comfort operating in a growing or evolving program environment and adapting processes to support new initiatives or populations.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $60,000-$67,755 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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