Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The WashU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is seeking a Program Manager for Postdoctoral Community Engagement, who reports directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Postdoctoral Affairs and works collaboratively with other members of the OPA leadership team.

The Program Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to cultivate an inclusive, connected postdoctoral community. This role includes designing and assessing competency-based curricula for wellness, culture, and community integration, organizing key events, managing fellowships and awards, and building relationships with former postdoctoral appointees. The Program Manager supervises postdoc affinity groups, establishes partnerships with key stakeholders, and represents the OPA on various committees. The role also includes coordinating communications and ensuring effective branding and content management. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing postdoctoral needs and fostering a supportive community.

The OPA serves around 1,000 postdoctoral appointees on both the Danforth Campus and the Medical Campus. As an active unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the OPA works to ensure that postdoctoral appointees have the support they need to grow as scholars and make meaningful contributions to the university and beyond. We serve as experts on postdoctoral appointments, administer postdoctoral policy, advocate for postdoctoral issues, help postdocs reach their career and professional goals, and collaborate with institutional and national partners to create a lively, supported, and inclusive postdoctoral community.

Job Description

The Program Manager for Postdoctoral Community Engagement performs essential functions including but not limited to:

Program Development and Evaluation

• Develop, implement, and assess strategic initiatives to engage postdoctoral appointees, identifying issues and implementing solutions.
• Design, implement, and assess competency-based curricula and instructional materials for postdoctoral well-being, mental health, financial wellness, and community integration.
• Lead the organization of university-wide projects such as the New Postdoc Orientation, Annual Postdoc Symposium, National Postdoc Appreciation Week, and OPA Annual Report.
• Manage OPA postdoctoral fellowships and awards, nominations for external awards and national committees, and postdoc support funding.
• Develop, implement, and assess strategic initiatives to build relationships with former postdoctoral appointees.
• Analyze metrics across programs and the postdoctoral community and create data-driven reports.

Thought Leadership and Partner Management

• Contribute to the OPA leadership team providing specialized knowledge and skills to set and achieve organizational, programmatic, and operational goals.
• Oversee and advise postdoc affinity and professional groups and ensure their projects and expenses follow programming and budgetary criteria.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with key campus and local partners, professional societies, as well as national organizations involved in postdoctoral training.
• Represent the OPA on internal and external committees, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Supervise and train OPA direct-reporting team members, conduct performance reviews, and provide administrative support for their professional development.
• Engage in opportunities that demonstrate unique expertise in postdoctoral affairs, producing scholarly work such as abstract submissions, article manuscripts, and grant proposals.

Communication Oversight

• Oversee the generation and circulation of administrative and academic communications to postdocs, faculty, staff, and university leadership.
• Design and implement advertising initiatives related to postdoctoral community engagement, programs, and recruitment.
• Advise postdocs, faculty, and staff, in response to concerns and complex situations related to the WashU postdoctoral experience.
• Supervise OPA branding and content on OPA facilities, documents, database, digital platforms, accessibility platforms, and promotional materials.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Applicant Special Instructions

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume or CV

We will begin scheduling interviews on March 31, 2025.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Occasional conference travel overnight
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or pulling (up to 50 lbs.)
• Onsite, with possibility of hybrid schedule

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in graduate or postdoctoral education administration.
• Experience in an academic or higher education environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Adobe Creative Cloud, Analytical Thinking, Audience Engagement, Curriculum Development, Database Management, Detail-Oriented, Inclusion Strategies, Instructional Material Development, Interpersonal Communication, Microsoft Office, Needs Assessment, Oral Communications, People Management, Program Budgeting, Program Designing, Scholarly Research, Strategic Thinking, Teaching, Team Diversity, Written Communication

Grade

G11

Salary Range

$53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.