Associate Director (Program Management Specialist)

About the role

The Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe) seeks an Associate Director (Program Management Specialist) to join the senior management team. OSoMe is dedicated to studying media and technology networks that drive online information diffusion, aiming to enhance the resilience of democratic systems against manipulation.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative leadership and operational oversight for research, outreach, and strategic initiatives.
• Directs day-to-day operations, supports sponsored research and program administration, manages communications and stakeholder engagement, oversees budget and reporting activities, and facilitates collaboration among faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and external partners.
• Oversees the planning and execution of events, workshops, conferences, and other program activities.
• Ensures compliance with university and sponsor requirements, supports grant-related processes, and advances the continuous improvement of departmental operations.
• Supports planning and monitoring of OSoMe's short-term and long-term financial outlook.
• Supports identification of funding needs and funding opportunities to help sustain OSoMe's research mission and program goals.
• Maintains relationships with IU faculty interested in collaborating with OSoMe and connects them to appropriate resources and collaborators.
• Communicates with collaborators, partners, and stakeholders both within and outside Indiana University.
• Serves as a liaison between the Director and Executive Director in identifying and maintaining collaborative working relationships with faculty across campus and external partners.
• Prepares and coordinates regular OSoMe reporting for university leadership, sponsors, and funding agencies.
• Supports research initiatives and externally funded awards associated with the Observatory.
• Assists with planning and coordination of events, meetings, workshops, and strategic initiatives related to OSoMe's mission.

General Responsibilities

• Implements the organization's strategic vision and direction by developing, initiating, and/or supporting new programs and services, creating annual work plans, and operating within a board-approved balanced budget.
• Maintains effective office management, financial management, record-keeping, and equipment and software.
• Plans, directs, and implements programs or events, including developing branding strategy and targeting audiences for these events.
• Oversees or represents the program in communications to program participants, supporting institutions, collaborators in other units, community partners, vendors, and the public.
• Troubleshoots and resolves issues and programs.
• Provides mechanisms, training, and advice on a variety of issues such as budget management software and advanced strategies for timely spending of grant funds.
• Identifies funding requirements and funding sources to ensure adequate resources to sustain program goals.
• Leads grant writing.
• Evaluates the performance of lower-level staff, recommends development and performance plans, promotions and disciplinary action, and is accountable for consistent administration of university policies.
• Keeps with best practices to create and implement policies and procedures that deliver a quality program experience.

Qualifications

• 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 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.

Skills

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents.

Preferred

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of program administration, operational coordination, and administrative processes within a professional or academic environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity software and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and Zoom.
• Familiarity with Indiana University administrative systems and processes.
• Ability to support interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement across academic, research, and public-facing initiatives.