Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Summary

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is seeking an Associate, STEM Education & Research Policy (SERP) to provide logistical and administrative support to both APLU’s Council on Research (COR) and projects focused on increasing student success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Successful candidates will have strong meeting coordination, event planning, and administrative support skills, a facility with Excel and data, and possess a keen attention to detail. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. The incumbent must reside in DC, MD, or VA, be up-to-date with their COVID vaccinations, and pass standard background checks. The incumbent is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. For more information, consult www.aplu.org.

Background

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.  With a membership of more than 251 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU’s agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement.  Annually, member campuses enroll 5.4 million undergraduates and 1.4 million graduate students, award 1.5 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $51 billion in university-based research.

APLU’s STEM Education and Research Policy (SERP) Office manages APLU’s Council on Research (composed of the senior research and graduate officers: vice presidents for research and graduate deans) and undertakes a broad array of federally and privately funded projects to increase student success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Vice President, STEM Education & Research Policy and receiving significant assignments from the Director of Research and from others in the office, the primary responsibilities of the Program Associate, STEM Education are as follows:

• Lead administrative and logistical planning of the office’s conferences, meetings, and events, including office sessions at the APLU Annual Meeting, annual summer meetings of the Council on Research (~150 attendees), and several smaller project meetings each year, including supporting the development of meeting budgets and collaborating with vendors.
• Maintain accurate records within APLU knowledge management platforms and customer relationship management systems (CRM). Carry out communication with Council on Research (COR) members through APLU’s email marketing system.
• Draft emails and other documents as requested.
• Update project and council webpages as necessary.
• Draft and monitor contracts, communicating as necessary with contractors to ensure timely payments and reporting.
• Support coordination of the office and APLU’s Finance staff by distributing project invoices, receiving and processing reimbursement requests from meeting attendees, and maintaining contact information. Prepare expense reports, reconciliations, and coordinate invoices/reimbursements.
• Schedule meetings including setting up appropriate online connections, communicating meeting agendas, and preparing meeting minutes when necessary.
• Manage the Senior Vice President’s calendar, including travel planning.
• Participate as an integral member of the SERP Team and APLU, and contribute to an inclusive, welcoming, and collegial workplace.
• Provide other administrative and logistical support as needed to support the goals and objectives of the Office and APLU.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional administrative support experience. Work experience at a college/university, a higher education organization, a non-profit organization, or a non-profit involved with relevant issues is a plus.
• Experience planning and coordinating events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills. Ability to take direction from, and communicate with, multiple team members, keep track of activities and priorities on multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to identify potential issues and bring them to the attention of the appropriate team members as they arise.
• Ability to maintain poise, professionalism, focus, consistency, and accuracy under pressure.
• Experience with Office365 highly preferred, including Microsoft Teams, Planner, and SharePoint as well as experience managing virtual meetings, especially via Zoom.
• Experience using a customer relations management (CRM) system and databases is a plus. Comfort using and learning new technologies.
• Commitment to the work of APLU and the STEM Office. Demonstrated desire to learn about and participate in the successful management of federally and privately funded projects focused on increasing student success in STEM education is a plus.
• Ability to travel domestically two or more times a year, especially during the summer months and November.

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest and resume to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with “Associate, SERP” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled, with preference given to those received by April 28, 2023.  APLU is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, and supports staff with a generous benefits package.

APLU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.