Wake Forest University — Program Manager, Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools
Filed in Administrative, Professional on May 2, 2023
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Job Description Summary
The Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University seeks a diligent, detail-oriented, conscientious, and collaborative colleague to serve as Program Manager. The Program Manager will play a key role in grant management and project management. The Program Manager will also play a critical role in nurturing a work culture that supports the Program’s mission: cultivating leaders of character who are oriented toward the common good. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the following: management practices that support staff persons’ dignity and development; cultivating healthy, diverse teams; and organizational design and improvement.
This is a grant-funded position supported by a multi-year grant from the Kern Family Foundation but will be considered for funding beyond the initial four-year term.
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, NC (“The City of Arts and Innovation”), the University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim to educate the whole person, the University has established an innovative Program for Leadership and Character that plans creative programming and courses to help students develop the character needed to lead inclusively in an increasingly complex world. The Program is based on cutting-edge academic research on leadership and character, including research conducted by Wake Forest faculty in various fields who are leading experts on the study of character. Over the last few years, the Program has received major grants and gifts to develop leaders of character at Wake Forest and support other colleges and universities who seek to promote leadership and character on their campuses. A major grant from the Kern Family Foundation is now supporting a significant expansion of the Program’s work in Wake Forest’s professional schools and pre-professional programs. For more on the Program for Leadership and Character, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/.
Wake Forest University welcomes and encourages diversity and inclusivity and seeks applicants with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations. Wake Forest University is an AA/EO employer and values an inclusive and diverse learning community and campus climate. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and what experiences prepare you for it and a resumé. The position is open and available to be filled immediately. Please apply by May 24, 2023 for priority consideration.
Job Description
Essential Functions:
- Oversee the preparation of annual reports for funding agencies.
- Ensure the goals in the grant are being met and tracked in accordance with the grant agreement.
- Work with the Director, Administrative Assistant, and Business Manager to develop budgets and spending practices which maintain alignment between the Program’s expenditures and its strategic goals.
- Assist Business Manager with annual financial reports to the funding agency.
- Work with the Director in approving staff spending requests in accordance with budgets.
- Work with the Director to facilitate healthy patterns of organizational learning and development.
- Contribute towards building a warm and supportive team culture: work with the Director and Administrative Assistant to plan occasional socializing opportunities; acknowledge staff members’ major life events; organize team building activities, etc.
- Manage administrative direct reports in conducting financial operations, managing events and ongoing projects, and administrative operations.
- Develop and maintain administrative and operational procedures to handle the various tasks related to the program.
- Work closely with the Communications Specialist in the Professional Schools to provide content for the website and social media.
- Coordinate external and internal partnerships, such as annual Board of Visitor and Advisory Council meetings and social events.
- Work effectively with the Director of Program Administration on matters related to Talent Management for the Professional Schools team.
- Serve as a liaison with various faculty, administrators, and departments across the graduate and professional schools at Wake Forest.
- Organize conferences and workshops, in partnership with staff whose expertise supports the goals of the conferences and workshops.
- Assist with grant-writing.
- Draft important communications.
- Perform other duties as needed.
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree, with two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working in a higher education setting.
- Excellent communication across a wide variety of formats: emails, public presentations, grant reports, one-on-one meetings, etc.
- High degree of emotional intelligence.
- Experience writing, implementing, and assessing execution of a strategic plan.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple and diverse priorities, programs, and projects.
- Experience with, and sensitivity to, diverse populations and the ability to build inclusive and equitable communities where differences are appreciated and engaged.
- Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff.
- Commitment to supporting the professional and personal development of staff.
- Commitment to the mission of the Program for Leadership and Character.
- Willingness to learn more about leadership and character development.
- Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Healthy conflict management skills.
- Ability to represent the program and University in a professional manner.
- Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- PMP certification or training in project management, or another management-focused degree.
- 4+ years experience in organizational management, especially in higher education and/or other non-profit settings.
- Advanced study in organizational management, psychology, and/or design.
- Knowledge of leadership theories and best practices.
- Knowledge of character education, character interventions, and/or character assessment.
- Deep understanding of academic cultures, rules, and regulations.
Accountabilities:
- Responsible for own work.
