Program Manager - RISE Center

Job Summary

The Program Manager supports the UT Dallas Center for Retail Innovation and Strategy Excellence (RISE Center) by managing programs, events, partnerships, and administrative operations. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing Center activities while supporting the continued development and enhancement of programs and operational processes. Serving as a primary liaison, the Program Manager engages with students, faculty, campus partners, sponsors, and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include managing the annual conference, student competitions, National Retail Federation (NRF) student organization activities, group travel, and recurring programming such as workshops and lunch‑and‑learn sessions. This position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex logistics, and support operational and administrative functions while exercising independent judgment in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment. The Program Manager also contributes to program development, operational planning, and continuous improvement of RISE Center initiatives.

Bachelor's degree;
Three to five years experience in a field relevant to the program; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Background in a higher education or academic environment
• Demonstrated involvement in managing programs, conferences, or large‑scale events
• Experience improving administrative processes, workflows, or systems
• Familiarity with working alongside external partners, sponsors, or vendors
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating the work of others
• Familiarity with university systems such as People Soft and eProcurement preferred

• Knowledge of travel coordination, logistics planning, and group event support
• Understanding of budget tracking, reconciliation, and financial processes
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams)

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

• Program and Event Management
  • Leads planning and execution of programs and events, including the annual conference, workshops, and lunch‑and‑learn series
  • Manages event logistics, including room reservations, scheduling, vendor coordination, catering, materials preparation, and on‑site support
  • Coordinates student competitions, including timelines, communications, submissions, and event execution
  • Supports activities of the National Retail Federation (NRF) student organization
• Operations and Administration
  • Oversees day‑to‑day operations of the RISE Center to ensure alignment with program goals and operational priorities
  • Maintains records, databases, and documentation related to programs, events, and operations
  • Coordinates across departments to support program implementation and service delivery
  • Oversees administrative workflows and ensures completion of tasks
  • Provides administrative support as needed to ensure continuity of operations
• Financial and Travel Coordination
  • Monitors program budgets, tracks expenditures, identifies discrepancies, and supports budget planning and resource allocation
  • Processes purchases, reimbursements, and travel arrangements using university systems such as People Soft and eProcurement
  • Coordinates group travel for students and program participants, including itineraries, lodging, transportation, and reimbursements
  • Facilitates engagement with sponsors, partners, and external stakeholders to support program delivery and relationship development
  • Develops and distributes communications and materials to support programs and engagement efforts
• Process and Oversight
  • Develops, implements, and refines administrative processes and workflows to support operational efficiency and scalability
  • Provides functional supervision,…