Associate Director (Program Management Specialist)

Indiana University Bloomington; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Bloomington's Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe) seeks an Associate Director (Program Management Specialist) to join the senior management team in Bloomington. You will provide administrative leadership, oversee daily operations, budgets, and stakeholder engagement to advance research programs.

The role leads events, reporting, grant management, and collaboration across campus and external partners, with a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience required; a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5 years in related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative leadership and oversight for the Observatory's programs and initiatives.
• Directs day-to-day operations, supports research administration, budgeting, and reporting.
• Oversees planning and execution of events, workshops, and conferences.

Skills

Communication

Professionalism

Time management

Quality

Adaptability

Initiative

Influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Zoom

Job description

Overview

Observatory on Social Media (UA-OSME-IUBLA)

The mission of The Observatory on Social Media (OSoMe, pronounced "awesome") is to study the media and technology networks that drive the online diffusion of information. OSoMe offers access to data and tools for researchers worldwide to uncover the vulnerabilities of the media ecosystem and develops methods for increasing the resilience of citizens and democratic systems to manipulation.

The Observatory has an open position for an Associate Director (Program Management Specialist) who will join the OSoMe senior management team.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides administrative leadership and operational oversight for the Observatory's research, outreach, and strategic initiatives to ensure program goals and objectives are achieved.
• 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.
• Meets with IU faculty interested in collaborating with OSoMe and connects them to appropriate resources and collaborators within OSoMe and across the university.
• Communicates with collaborators, partners, and stakeholders both within and outside Indiana University.
• Supports 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.
• Provides project management and administrative support for 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.
• Ensures the maintenance of 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.
• Oversees research and academic activities budgets for programs. 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.

Education – Required

• Bachelor's degree.

Education – Preferred

• Master's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, higher education administration, communications, information science, social science, business administration, or a related field.

Work Experience – Required

• 5 years in related field.

Work Experience – Preferred

• 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 – Required

• 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.

Skills – 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.

Job Details

Bloomington, Indiana

Salary: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 annually

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Equal Opportunity and ADA

Indiana University is an equal‑opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination here which includes contact information.