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OVERVIEW:
Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future.
At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.
As Olin evolves under the leadership of our new president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life-flexibility.
We strive to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are part of a compelling, educational, and inclusive learning environment. The diversity that students, staff, and faculty bring to our spaces is a resource, a strength, and a benefit. We welcome and support people with all backgrounds, viewpoints, experience, talents, and ideas.
About the Office of External Programs and Partnerships (OEPP):
Olin College is dedicated to advancing engineering as a bridge to equity, opportunity, and progress for humanity on a global scale. At Olin, engineering is for everyone. We are transforming the definition of what engineering is, how engineering is taught, and what an engineer looks like. External programs and partnerships are central to this transformational mission, as they connect Olin with the rest of the world and create opportunities for learning and development at the individual, institutional, and societal level.
The Office of External Programs and Partnerships (OEPP) was established to increase Olin’s capacity to explore new opportunities, develop and execute externally facing programs, and cultivate relationships with external partners. Every member of the OEPP team works collaboratively with colleagues across the College to achieve these goals, which are aligned with Olin’s mission and vision for the future. We embrace a growth mindset and actively support each other’s development. We experiment and accept failure as an essential part of learning, while celebrating our contributions and positive impact.
Position summary:
The Program Manager will play a critical role in enabling the growth of Olin’s external programs and partnerships, and is expected to contribute across four overlapping areas: project ownership, content development, event management, and operational support.
OEPP is structured as a flat team in which members work collaboratively with a high degree of autonomy. The Program Manager will report directly to the Dean of External Programs and Partnerships, who will be responsible for their professional development and the overall allocation of their effort across the activities of the team. The position will initially be a program support role, with the goal of eventually owning certain projects and programs.
You will typically partner with another member of the team to work on activities, and that person will provide mentorship and feedback. Many activities will involve interactions with faculty, students, and staff in other areas of the College, as well as external constituents (e.g., alumni, industry partners, and educators at other institutions). These activities will vary over time in response to opportunities and needs.
This role is designed to provide opportunities for rapid development and career advancement, including the possibility of promotion within 2–3 years.
Duties and responsibilities:
As noted above, the Program Manager’s specific responsibilities will be dynamic, with some flexibility to align with the strengths and interests of the successful candidate. Listed below are examples of activities that the Program Manager may be asked to take on.
Content development:
● Manage strategic direction, content and production of marketing materials in print and web formats
● Write and distribute email newsletters and social media posts
● Maintain online resources and catalog of program offerings
Event management:
● Design, execute and manage details of in-person and online alumni and educational programs – speaker series, learning lab seminars, professional development workshops
(includes managing online registration and payment, pre- and post-event communication with participants, meeting support and follow-up surveys)
● Plan and facilitate meetings of internal and external stakeholders (e.g., “jam sessions” to explore new opportunities, alumni engagement events, senior capstone presentations)
● Host external visitors (e.g., academic and industry partners, prospective donors)
● Analyze post-event surveys, suggest program improvements
Operational support:
● Field and respond to incoming communication from constituents
● Maintain database of interactions with alumni and external partners; track alumni employment updates and partnership development leads
● Manage content and workflow for contracting and financial processes (e.g., proposals, agreements, invoices, payments; purchasing and reimbursement for externally sponsored projects)
● Prepare regular reports on program and partnership activities
As a member of the OEPP team, the Program Manager is also expected to contribute constructively to the overall functioning of the team, including participation in weekly staff meetings, periodic planning sessions, and developmental review processes.
Minimum requirements:
This position requires skills typically acquired through receiving a bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of professional experience in a corporate, academic, or non-profit environment. Other combinations of education and experience are also valued, and we welcome applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Skills required:
To successfully carry out the responsibilities described above, the Program Manager needs to have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will also have strong verbal and written communication skills, technical skills including a high level of comfort with common software applications, quantitative skills including basic data manipulation using spreadsheets, and some experience with graphic design. That said, all of these skills can be learned on the job, so we also welcome demonstrated evidence of motivation and independent skill development.
TO APPLY
Please complete an Interest in Position Form and include:
· A current CV or resume, including contact information for three (3) references.
· An Olin-specific cover letter. Tell us why you are excited to join Olin and how your experience might contribute to the vibrancy of Olin’s community.
· A description of your professional work or a portfolio (if applicable).
Please copy and paste the following URL to complete this Interest in Position Form: https://olin.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2339MH76F6IMeBE
Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.