Department: Educ Research Programs
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy is seeking a full-time Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator will work to support research and program development for the FUSE program, an interest-driven STEAM learning program for middle and high school youth. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for managing and maintaining partnerships with the growing community of schools that implement FUSE, including providing customer support for educators on FUSE Challenges (some of which involve 3D printers). Given that these partnerships are critical to the success of FUSE, the Program Coordinator will have to be adept at a range of tasks and functions: technical support for schools, coaching and consulting for FUSE teachers, communication with a variety of internal and external partners, and participation in team-based planning to ensure that FUSE is maintaining highly successful partnerships.

Provides management for an education, research &/or operations program/project, recommending goals, assessing feasibility and ongoing performance & providing day-to-day oversight of administrative & operational functions.

Areas of responsibility:

• Administration
• Communications

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Manages day to day operations.
• Ensures that program/project mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented & maintained.
• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into administrative, recruitment, marketing, and educational components.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program/project to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained.
• Manages scheduling arrangements involving multiple parties.
• Assists in the development of new FUSE kits by coordinating the sourcing of high quality components with kit vendor.
• Leads research and testing of FUSE software to determine technical requirements for FUSE partner schools.
• Maintains list of approved software installers for new schools to install on student computers and conducts research through FUSE community to understand technical pain points and determine recommended fixes.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Develops coordinated, consistent marketing and brand messages.
• Strengthens partnerships with external resources by defining, promoting and marketing benefits of participation and involvement to the organization.
• Creates and nurtures relationships with organizations to develop a network of enthusiastic organizations engaged via active participation in the success of program/project.
• Reviews market trends to recommend future plans to increase revenue, participation, engagement, etc.
• Leads implementation of communications to FUSE Studios throughout the country and internationally. On-boards new FUSE Studios and participants (payments, ordering supplies, setting up web accounts, etc.)
• Leads the preparation, compiling, and dissemination of program communication and correspondence, reports, marketing materials, newsletters, program summaries, etc.
• Researches/works with Studios and project team to resolve problems or issues and troubleshoot for optimal implementation of FUSE program at the diverse sites
• Maintains accurate records on FUSE partner schools through platforms like Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Google Maps.
• Develops strategies for improving overall quality of FUSE partnerships and communications.

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.
• 1 year program/project administration or other relevant experience.

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

• Proficient in various word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Google Drive
• Excellent communication skills across modes (written and verbal), with various audiences and stakeholders.
• Enthusiastic about providing customer support, particularly to educators
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and projects (including multi-tasking)
• Excellent time management, organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills: team-oriented, collaborative, approachable, and resourceful

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, education, or a STEAM field
• Experience in working with schools and organizations that serve youth
• Experience in leading training or professional development workshops for educators
• Experience providing support for 3D printing

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Proficient in communications and database tools and systems, particularly Slack, Salesforce, Zendesk, MailChimp, and Tableau
• Ability to troubleshoot STEM equipment, including 3D printers
• Experience with NU Financial System
• Interest and passion for creatively thinking about and innovating existing processes and systems to better serve users

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.