Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The WashU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is seeking a Program Manager for Postdoctoral Community Engagement, who reports directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Postdoctoral Affairs and works collaboratively with other members of the OPA leadership team.

The Program Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to cultivate an inclusive, connected postdoctoral community. This role includes designing and assessing competency-based curricula for wellness, culture, and community integration, organizing key events, managing fellowships and awards, and building relationships with former postdoctoral appointees. The Program Manager supervises postdoc affinity groups, establishes partnerships with key stakeholders, and represents the OPA on various committees. The role also includes coordinating communications and ensuring effective branding and content management. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing postdoctoral needs and fostering a supportive community.

The OPA serves around 1,000 postdoctoral appointees on both the Danforth Campus and the Medical Campus. As an active unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the OPA works to ensure that postdoctoral appointees have the support they need to grow as scholars and make meaningful contributions to the university and beyond. We serve as experts on postdoctoral appointments, administer postdoctoral policy, advocate for postdoctoral issues, help postdocs reach their career and professional goals, and collaborate with institutional and national partners to create a lively, supported, and inclusive postdoctoral community.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The Program Manager for Postdoctoral Community Engagement performs essential functions including but not limited to:

Program Development and Evaluation

• Develop, implement, and assess strategic initiatives to engage postdoctoral appointees, identifying issues and implementing solutions.
• Design, implement, and assess competency-based curricula and instructional materials for postdoctoral well-being, mental health, financial wellness, and community integration.
• Lead the organization of university-wide projects such as the New Postdoc Orientation, Annual Postdoc Symposium, National Postdoc Appreciation Week, and OPA Annual Report.
• Manage OPA postdoctoral fellowships and awards, nominations for external awards and national committees, and postdoc support funding.
• Develop, implement, and assess strategic initiatives to build relationships with former postdoctoral appointees.
• Analyze metrics across programs and the postdoctoral community and create data-driven reports.

Thought Leadership and Partner Management

• Contribute to the OPA leadership team providing specialized knowledge and skills to set and achieve organizational, programmatic, and operational goals.
• Oversee and advise postdoc affinity and professional groups and ensure their projects and expenses follow programming and budgetary criteria.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with key campus and local partners, professional societies, as well as national organizations involved in postdoctoral training.
• Represent the OPA on internal and external committees, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Supervise and train OPA direct-reporting team members, conduct performance reviews, and provide administrative support for their professional development.
• Engage in opportunities that demonstrate unique expertise in postdoctoral affairs, producing scholarly work such as abstract submissions, article manuscripts, and grant proposals.

Communication Oversight

• Oversee the generation and circulation of administrative and academic communications to postdocs, faculty, staff, and university leadership.
• Design and implement advertising initiatives related to postdoctoral community engagement, programs, and recruitment.
• Advise postdocs, faculty, and staff, in response to concerns and complex situations related to the WashU postdoctoral experience.
• Supervise OPA branding and content on OPA facilities, documents, database, digital platforms, accessibility platforms, and promotional materials.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Applicant Special Instructions

Please submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume or CV

We will begin scheduling interviews on March 31, 2025.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Occasional conference t