Associate Director; Program Management Specialist

Job Summary

The Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe) at Indiana University seeks an Associate Director (Program Management Specialist) to join the OSoMe senior management team.

The Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe, pronounced "awesome") studies the media and technology networks that drive online diffusion of information. OSoMe provides data and tools for researchers to uncover vulnerabilities in the media ecosystem and develops methods to increase the resilience of citizens and democratic systems to manipulation.

• Provide administrative leadership and operational oversight for the Observatory's research, outreach, and strategic initiatives to achieve program goals.
• Direct day-to-day operations, support sponsored research and program administration, manage communications and stakeholder engagement, oversee budget and reporting activities, and facilitate collaboration among faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and external partners.
• Oversee planning and execution of events, workshops, conferences, and other program activities.
• Ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements, support grant-related processes, and advance continuous improvement of operations.
• Support planning and monitoring of OSoMe's short-term and long-term financial outlook.
• Identify funding needs and opportunities to sustain OSoMe's research mission and program goals.
• Meet with IU faculty interested in collaborating with OSoMe and connect them to resources and collaborators within OSoMe and across the university.
• Communicate with collaborators, partners, and stakeholders both within and outside Indiana University.
• Support the Director and Executive Director in maintaining collaborative relationships with faculty and external partners.
• Prepare and coordinate regular OSoMe reporting for university leadership, sponsors, and funding agencies.
• Provide project management and administrative support for research initiatives and externally funded awards associated with the Observatory.
• Assist with planning and coordination of events, meetings, and strategic initiatives related to OSoMe's mission.

• Implement the organization's strategic vision by developing or supporting new programs and services, creating annual work plans, and operating within a board-approved balanced budget.
• Maintain effective office management, financial management, record-keeping, and equipment and software.
• Plan and implement programs or events, including developing branding strategy and targeting audiences.
• Represent the program in communications to participants, supporting institutions, collaborators, partners, vendors, and the public.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues and programs.
• Provide mechanisms, training, and advice on budget management software and timely grant spending strategies.
• Oversee research and academic activities budgets for programs; identify funding requirements and sources to sustain goals.
• Lead grant writing.
• Evaluate the performance of staff and participate in development, performance plans, and adherence to university policies.
• Maintain best practices to create and implement policies that deliver a quality program experience.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

Required

• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred

• Master's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, higher education administration, communications, information science, social science, business administration, or a related field.

Required

• 5 years in related field.

Preferred

• 5 years of relevant professional experience in program administration, research administration, higher education administration, nonprofit management, communications, project management, sponsored research support, or related operational roles.
• Prior Indiana University experience with university research administration, sponsored projects, grant management, and/or compliance-related processes.
• Experience coordinating complex projects, managing administrative processes, tracking budgets, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary research centers, externally funded research programs, or university-based initiatives.

Required

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Time management and priority-setting skills.
• High commitment to quality.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• High level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Initiative and ability to influence internal and external constituents.

Preferred

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of program administration, operational coordination, and administrative processes in professional or…