Procurement and Events Coordinator, Wireless Networking and Communications Group in Cockrell School of Engineering

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School seeks a Procurement and Events Coordinator for the Wireless Networking and Communications Group. The role provides purchasing, procurement, equipment, inventory and event support for a multi‑million‑dollar research center.

Responsibilities include managing bids, contracts, travel, and on‑site event coordination while ensuring compliance and fiscal accuracy. Strong communication and organization are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; related field preferred.
• At least 3 years in purchasing/procurement, event coordination or related operations.
• Experience with event logistics and vendor relations.
• Ability to follow policies and regulations.
• Strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate center purchasing: requests, bids, orders, pre-purchase reviews and documentation.
• Engage with stakeholders; provide problem-solving and resources as needed.
• Plan and coordinate major center events, meetings and workshops; vendor relations and on-site support.
• Administer procurement card program; maintain financial records and resolve issues.
• Manage contracts and center expenditures including entertainment and equipment costs.
• Monitor financial activity for accuracy and compliance.
• Administer inventory control and property management for center assets.
• Handle research equipment lifecycle: shipping, receiving, maintenance, disposal.
• Develop event communications: newsletters, agendas, invitations and assets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to improve processes and documentation.

Skills

Procurement

Event coordination

Vendor relations

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant or related field

Tools

DEFINE

FRMS

UT Market

PointPlus

Workday

Job description

Job Posting Title: Procurement and Events Coordinator, Wireless Networking and Communications Group in Cockrell School of Engineering

• Hiring Department: Wireless Networking and Communications Group
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA
• Earliest Start Date: Nov 01, 2026
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue
• Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: General Notes As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders. UT Austin, recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers, provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

About Us

The Wireless Networking and Communications Group (WNCG) is an Organized Research Unit and interdisciplinary center for research and education with an emphasis on industrial relevance. The center is located within and works closely with the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Texas ECE), a top-ranked program and the largest department in the Cockrell School of Engineering. WNCG is home to more than 200 graduate students and 26 faculty. Our mission is to create a collaborative environment that supports research and provides highly relevant education and opportunities. WNCG and Texas ECE are committed to advancing the common good through every aspect of research, education, and outreach. We take pride in our values and achieve greater impact by promoting technical innovation, imagination, and entrepreneurship in wireless networking, communications, and data sciences. Join us in changing the world!

Purpose

The Procurement and Events Coordinator will provide purchasing, procurement, equipment, inventory, and operational support for WNCG, while coordinating major center events, meetings, workshops, affiliate-facing programs, and related activities for the large, high-functioning, multi-million-dollar research center.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute research center and faculty purchasing, including purchase requests, bids, proposals, purchase orders, pre-purchase assessments, exception requests, and related procurement documentation in accordance with University, State, and Federal regulations.
• Engage with stakeholders, exercise regular problem‑solving, and provide appropriate counsel and resources.
• Coordinate major center events and selected meetings, workshops, seminars, affiliate-facing programs, including planning, logistics, vendor relations, communications, attendee support, on‑site troubleshooting, and post‑event follow‑up.
• Administer, process, and reconcile the center procurement card program; maintain accurate financial documentation; resolve purchasing issues with vendors and institutional offices; and support timely processing of related expenditures and payments.
• Manage contract lifecycles, competitive solicitations, and selected center expenditures, including entertainment, subcontractor/vendor, equipment, supply, and event‑related costs.
• Monitor and reconcile related financial activity to support fiscal accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
• Administer center inventory control and property management, including asset tracking, reporting, annual certification, utilization, transfer, and retention.
• Coordinate the research equipment lifecycle, including shipping, receiving, troubleshooting, maintenance, disposal, and collaboration on assessment and deployment.
• Develop and execute event‑related communication strategies, including content coordination for newsletters, agendas, invitations, attendee materials, and promotional assets.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to optimize operational processes and maintain documentation and instructional guides.
• Support coordination of center facilities, storerooms, mail, general access, and business backup support as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant or related field.
• Three (3) years of related experience in purchasing and procurement, event coordination, business operations, inventory or asset management, or program coordination.
• Experience with event logistics, vendor relations, and customer or stakeholder engagement.
• Working knowledge of purchasing processes, procurement documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven ability to balance competing deadlines and collaborate across organizational levels.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, identify urgent priorities and follow through on time‑sensitive administrative, purchasing, and event‑related tasks.
• Detail‑oriented and self‑directed, with ability to deliver accurate results under changing priorities.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary team.
• Relevant education and experience may provide substitutes.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than three (3) years of related experience in purchasing and procurement, event coordination, business operations, inventory or asset management, or program coordination.
• Experience with UT Austin business processes, policies, and procedures, or comparable university business processes.
• Prior experience in higher education, particularly in STEM or with a research operation.
• Experience processing competitive bids, subcontractor agreements, contracts, purchase orders, and related procurement documentation.
• Experience managing equipment inventory, property records, and audit inquiries.
• Experience using university financial, procurement, and administrative systems such as DEFINE, FRMS, UT Market, PointPlus, Workday, or comparable systems.
• Experience guiding faculty, staff, students, or other stakeholders on essential business workflows and procedures.
• Experience supporting events in a research center, university, conference, affiliate, or external‑facing setting.
• Service‑oriented mindset and a high level of emotional intelligence.

Salary Range

Salary Range $55,000+ depending on qualifications

Work Shift

Standard business hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis during peak times.

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Occasional lifting, carrying, or carting of equipment, supplies, and event materials, typically up to 25-50 lbs. Occasional work outside standard business hours may be required to support center events, meetings, or time‑sensitive operational needs.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Clery Act. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus