Program Coordinator, ASSURE

Position Function:

The Program Coordinator, ASSURE will lead strategic communication, outreach activities, and stakeholder engagement for the FAA's Center of Excellence (COE) for UAS research. This role supports the visibility and promotion of ASSURE's research portfolio through coordinated messaging, digital content development, media engagement, and public-facing communication strategies. The Program Coordinator, ASSURE will work closely with internal university partners, FAA representatives, external communications teams, and ASSURE member institutions to ensure effective dissemination of research outcomes and program initiatives.

This position plays a key role in strengthening ASSURE's public presence, fostering collaboration across the consortium, and supporting ongoing engagement with government, industry, and academic stakeholders.

Salary Grade: 14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence is comprised of 29 of the world's leading research institutions and more than a hundred leading industry and government partners. ASSURE members are core to four FAA UAS test sites, lead four FAA research centers, and have a multitude of UAS ranging from small drones below 55 pounds to the largest UAS at any US academic institution at 1800 pounds.

This alliance features expertise across a broad spectrum of research areas, including:
Air traffic control interoperability, UAS airport ground operations, control and communications, detect and avoid, human factors, UAS noise reduction, UAS wake signatures, unmanned aircraft pilot training and certification, low altitude operations safety, spectrum management and UAS traffic management. ASSURE possesses the expertise, experience, and influence that the FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems demands.

Area of Specialization:

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence (CoE)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications & Outreach Planning

* Develop and execute the social media and outreach strategy for the ASSURE COE research program, including measurable engagement and visibility goals

* Coordinate messaging consistency across internal and external communication channels

* Ensure communications activities align with ASSURE strategic goals, FAA research priorities, and external communication requirements

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

* Serve as a primary communications liaison among internal stakeholders, including MSU Public Affairs, communications teams, and ASSURE

* Coordinate with external partners such as industry partners, FAA Public Affairs, and public affairs contacts across ASSURE core and affiliate member universities

* Maintain strong collaborative relationships to support publication reviews, media engagement, and promotional activities

Content Development, Dissemination & Web Management

* Coordinate the release of communication materials that promote ASSURE and university research and accomplishments, including articles, newsletters, social media content, and promotional media

* Work directly with researchers and FAA representatives to ensure all public-facing content complies with communication and publication guidelines

* Manage the upkeep and content updates for the ASSURE website, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to improve functionality, messaging clarity, and user experience

* Plan and host webinars focused on research promotion, industry engagement, and technology awareness

Event Support & Representation

* Assist in planning, coordinating, and when needed, attending research tests, industry meetings, FAA events, and ASSURE-hosted activities

* Provide communications support before, during, and after events to ensure alignment with messaging and outreach goals

* Represent ASSURE in professional and public engagement settings

Operational Coordination & Process Ownership

* Track communication workflows, content pipelines, and outreach activity timelines across COE research projects

* Maintain documentation, schedules, and reporting related to communication deliverables and stakeholder approvals

* Ensure timely coordination between project teams, public affairs stakeholders, and leadership

Other Duties

* Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Director of Research

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Public Affairs, or a related field

* Minimum 1 year of experience in communications, outreach, marketing, or public affairs, preferably in higher education, government, research, or technical program environments

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience supporting communications in aviation, aerospace, government, or research organizations

* Proficiency in…