Programs and Operations Manager (HR Title: Senior Program Specialist)
Southern Methodist University Inc

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 Programs and Operations Manager will work with the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute Director to develop, plan, market, administer, and oversee all DCII programs and events, including faculty-led research clusters and symposia, lecture series, graduate fellowships, undergraduate research programs, and other future initiatives; and will oversee the day-to-day operational management of the Institute. The Program and Operations Manager is tasked with financial, event logistics, and marketing management for all DCII programs; collaborating on the development of new programs and special projects; assisting with resource development and donor relations and with the development and maintenance of relationships with community partners; coordinating DCII board functions; bookkeeping and budget management; digital and website management; and overseeing the progress of undergraduate researchers.

Essential Functions:

• Financial Management: Work with the DCII Director and Dedman College Financial Officer to complete the annual budget process and forecast future expenses, conduct monthly budget review and reconciliation for all DCII Orgs and associated programs, approve Concur expenses and track expenditures for all programs and events, complete payment requests and purchasing for program expenditures, process hire paperwork and manage payroll for student fellows, and process honoraria for speakers and student fellow mentors.
  
• Program and Event Management: Work with the DCII Director to plan events. Organize all program and event logistics, including serving as primary contact for recipients of DCII program funding; arranging travel and accommodation for speakers; scheduling events; reserving event spaces, catering, and AV equipment; working with vendors; and attending and running major events.
  
• Undergraduate Research Program Oversight: Meet periodically with undergraduate research program fellows to discuss research plans, ensure satisfactory research progress, and facilitate cohort development and student reflection; and monitor fellows' compliance with program requirements.
  
• Operational Management: Manage all day-to-day operational aspects of the DCII. This includes providing direct oversight of student workers, serving as the public face of the DCII in its offices, responding to phone and email inquiries, and generally managing the office.
  
• Marketing and Digital Management: Manage all DCII marketing channels and work with the DCII Director to issue communications. This includes providing writing and design support and overseeing student workers in generating weekly event emails, publicity materials for major events, DCII website content, social media posts, etc.; managing relationships with SMU marketing and public affairs offices; building and managing email recipient lists for community events; placing events on SMU calendars.
  
• Program and Event Development: Work with the DCII Director to creatively develop new University and community-wide programming and events. This includes consideration of how new programs and special projects can advance the DCII's mission and goals, identification of potential funding resources, and event planning and implementation.
  
• Stakeholder Relations: Work with the DCII Director and Dean of Dedman College to assemble DCII advisory boards and coordinate board functions. Work with Dedman College Development to steward existing DCII donor relationships and develop strategies to engage with potential donors, and write annual endowment reports. Work with the DCII Director to build and sustain relationships with community organizations to encourage community involvement and potential partnerships in DCII activities.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's is required.

A minimum of 5 years of experience is required.

Required experience includes:

• Administrative experience, preferably in higher education.
• Implementing and managing programmatic marketing initiatives, preferably with visual design
• Event planning
• Financial management experience
• Building and managing relationships with diverse constituencies
• Professional writing
• Microsoft Office and Outlook

Preferred experience includes:

• Email automation systems
• Website and social media content management systems
• Canva
• LibWizard
• Concur

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must be available for occasional evenings and weekends.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Applications received by July 13, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

Deadline to apply is July 17th, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

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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