SUMMARY:

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute in the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs welcomes applications for an Operations Coordinator position. This full-time position will support logistics and operations in the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute and collaborate with staff to ensure programs are fully prepared.
The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI) promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in Virginia state and local government, academic institutions, public, private, and nonprofit organizations, and communities of the Commonwealth. GEHLI offers an integrated series of professional development programs that develop critical skills at the supervisory, management, senior leadership, and local levels. We offer competence-based curricula utilizing proven practices delivered by engaging, highly experienced professionals.
Consistent with the mission of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Institute is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders through leadership training and public policy research.

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs’ mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School’s vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 16 in Social Policy, No. 17 in Urban Policy, and No. 19 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.
For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/.
For additional information about the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute within the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://gehli.vcu.edu/.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and 3 to 5 years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience working with state agencies or state/local government.
• Experience with administrating various assessments including DISC, MBTI, EQ-i, Platinum Rule, FourSight Inventory, Insight Inventory, etc.
• Experience with 360-degree feedback.
• Demonstrate expertise as a problem-solver.
• Experience preparing budgets.
• Experience reviewing contracts.
• Demonstrate experience training others.
• Project management experience.
• Experience in T4 and website design.
• Knowledge of Smartsheets and other tools for project management and organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 1 to 3 years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and meet numerous deadlines.
• Should be detail-oriented, focused, organized, reliable, responsive, and proactive.
• Ability to engage clients when attending in-person events.
• Ability to work independently, but in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to travel to help cover events.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse environment and with a lens focused on equity.
• High knowledge of computer applications and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with marketing, advertising, and PR including story writing, website updates, email blasts, social media, etc.
• Graphic design experience in Microsoft, Canva, T4, etc. including e-notebooks, program materials, PowerPoints, email blasts, social media posts, website, etc.
• Knowledge of ZOOM and Google Meet, hosting and co-hosting meetings.
• Experience supervising and managing staff.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

TYPICAL & JOB SPECIFIC PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):

• Light lifting (<30 lbs.)
• Pushing/pulling
• Standing
• Sitting

Emotional Demands (Essential):

• Fast pace/Average pace
• Multiple stimuli
• Frequent change
• Intense customer interaction
• Mental/Sensory Demands (Essential):

o Memory
o Reading
o Reasoning
o Hearing
o Logic

o Analyzing

• Verbal communication
• Written Communication

TYPICAL DUTIES

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute’s Operations Coordinator position will assist in providing timely, targeted, and relevant logistical support and technical assistance to training and professional development programs for government and nonprofit participants and organizations. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Research and Outreach, supervises a team of Program Coordinators and student workers, and works with other faculty/staff on special projects.
This position is to give administrative support and guidance for training, facilitation, and general office needs. Duties include but are not limited to logistical support and direction to the Program Coordinators as they prepare for the training classes, drafting correspondence, design projects, marketing, advertising, communication, and PR, managing the office, and other assigned logistical tasks. A design background is key as this person should be able to design e-notebooks, PowerPoints, and other program materials as well as email blasts, social media posts, and upkeep the GEHLI website. Branding and brand guardianship are also key. This professional will also independently engage with participants, clients, alumni, and vendors, administer and provide back-up support for assessments including the 360-degree feedback assessment, support program coordinators and facilitators during professional development events, and actively engage participants to ensure a positive experience at events. Assisting with strategic planning, program and institute budgets, and being able to evaluate costs and options to identify cost savings is important. This person should be able to assist in business development and in finding and vetting new custom programs or projects. This person should be willing to work in-person at the office, as well as occasionally travel out of town to events, and have the ability to work remotely.