Program Assistant – ACRC Center Operations

Laseagrant; Urbana, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center (ACRC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a Program Assistant to coordinate center programs and operations, managing stakeholder engagement, events, and travel for staff.

The role oversees finances, procurement, memberships, and communications, with opportunities to support technology transfer activities and coordinate staff assignments, reports, and analyses for directors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, communication, organizational leadership, marketing or related field.
• Experience in event planning, grants support, procurement, and/or marketing.
• Two+ years' experience in event planning, grants support, procurement, and/or marketing.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication; professional demeanor.
• Ability to work evenings for Center events.
• Knowledge of university procurement processes and policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal contact for the center, representing the director with campus, university, and external departments and committees.
• Build and manage relationships with center directors, alumni, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings and hospitality between center directors and alumni or industry partners.
• Direct and oversee hospitality and logistics for development activities, including catering, room and hotel reservations, and special accommodations.
• Manage the center’s financial operations, monitoring appropriations, income, and expenditures and advising the director on budget preparation.
• Administer affiliate membership renewals and invoicing, track payments, and provide reports and analyses.
• Establish processes to ensure timely submission of proposals, updates, and materials to faculty, students, and members.
• Lead planning of technology transfer and outreach events.
• Coordinate recruitment, training, and temporary staff for center operations.
• Provide Director with reports, analyses and data on center activities and special projects.

Skills

Event planning

Grants support

Procurement

Marketing

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, communication, organizational leadership, marketing or related field

Tools

TEM system

iBUY

p-card

Job description

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center (ACRC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a Program Assistant to coordinate center programs and operations, managing stakeholder engagement, events, and travel for staff.

The role oversees finances, procurement, memberships, and communications, with opportunities to support technology transfer activities and coordinate staff assignments, reports, and analyses for directors.