Project Coordinator

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advancement & Communications team within the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Project Coordinator to act as the operational hub for major projects and to contribute to communications and engagement efforts with key audiences.

The role reports to the Advancement Manager and collaborates across the school and with the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association.

Qualifications

• At least one year of professional experience in project coordination, administration, advancement, communications, or a related field.
• Experience using project management techniques and tools.
• Strong organizational, administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops, schedules, coordinates, and prioritizes project work plans in accordance with specifications and resource limitations.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for the project(s), serves on committees, and attends meetings representing the interests of the project(s).
• Analyzes data and trends, compiles progress reports, and provides appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Develops, enhances, and maintains operational standards and systems to support project teams.
• Establishes, monitors, coordinates, and controls project budgets versus actual expenditures and budget reporting.

Skills

Project coordination

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree

Tools

Monday.com

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Project Coordinator

Job Summary:

The Advancement & Communications team in the School of Human Ecology is seeking a Project Coordinator to serve as the operational hub for major projects. In addition to creating plans, this person will be a key contributor in executing communications and engagement projects that deepen the school’s relationship with strategic audiences. The position reports to the Advancement Manager and works with colleagues across the school and Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association.

The Project Coordinator will leverage Monday.com to track timelines and keep deliverables moving. Major focuses during the first year include preparing for the school’s 125th anniversary in 2028–29 and a brand refresh. Ongoing projects include logistics for meetings of the Dean’s Advisory Board and communications to alumni, donors, and parents of current undergraduate students. For example, the Project Coordinator is responsible for sharing stories of how scholarships made an impact for students with the donors who support them. The position will help the Advancement & Communications team evaluate and improve how it works, including exploring responsible uses of AI tools.

We welcome applicants from a variety of professional backgrounds who are eager to learn about advancement and strategic communications.

This position will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (up to 2 days/week remote) after being fully onsite for an initial onboarding period. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement. A remote work agreement requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university-provided computer. Per university policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops, schedules, coordinates, and prioritizes project work plans in accordance with specifications and resource limitations
• Serves as the initial point of contact for the project(s), serves on committees, and attends meetings representing the interests of the project(s)
• Analyzes data and trends, compiles progress reports, and provides appropriate recommendations or conclusions
• Develops, enhances, and maintains operational standards and systems to support project teams
• Establishes, monitors, coordinates, and controls project budgets versus actual expenditures and budget reporting

Department: School of Human Ecology, Advancement & Communications

The Advancement & Communications team brings our expertise and creativity to produce high-quality, purpose-driven work. We build awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support for the School of Human Ecology in partnership with colleagues across the school and at the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association.

Compensation:

The starting salary will be at least $55,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Required Qualifications:

• At least one year of professional experience in project coordination, administration, advancement, communications, or a related field.
• Experience using project management techniques and tools.
• Strong organizational, administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated curiosity and adaptability in learning new technologies.
• Interest in exploring and responsibly applying artificial intelligence to strengthen project outcomes and processes.
• Knowledge of fundraising, alumni relations, communications, higher education, or nonprofits.

Education:

Bachelor's or Associate's degree is required.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about the job posting or recruitment process, please reach out to HR Generalist, Lizzie Druke, at [e-mail].

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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