Research Administrative Coordinator (HR Title: Administrative Specialist II)

Southern Methodist University Inc; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Job summary

Southern Methodist University (SMU) invites applications for an on-campus Research Administrative Coordinator within the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI). The role provides advanced administrative, operational, and research-support functions across ORI's four areas, coordinating complex activities and serving as a trusted contact for faculty and external partners.

Key responsibilities include coordinating meetings, documenting decisions, supporting communications and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; preferably in Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum of three years in administrative or project coordination, preferably in higher education or research administration.
• Experience in event planning and logistical coordination preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and operational support for ORI and its four functional areas; coordinate calendars, meetings, resources, workflows and projects.
• Lead administrative planning for ORI events, workshops, seminars, and engagement activities; manage timelines, speakers, registrations, facilities and vendors.
• Attend and document executive meetings; prepare minutes, track actions and distribute materials; support cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Project coordination

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams/Zoom

Database tools

Job description

About SMUSMU

SMUSMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities.

SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

Salary

Description Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) at SMU is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and experienced Research Administrative Coordinator to provide advanced administrative, operational, programmatic, and research-support functions for a dynamic central research office. This position serves as a key operational partner within ORI, coordinating complex activities across research administration, events, communications, records management, and cross-unit initiatives. The role independently manages multiple priorities, serves as a trusted point of contact for faculty, staff, university partners, and external stakeholders, and handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion. The position also supports ORI leadership and operations through meeting coordination, documentation, project tracking, and follow-through on strategic and administrative initiatives that advance the University's research mission.

Essential Functions

• Research Administration & ORI Ops : Provide administrative and operational support for ORI and its four functional areas, including RIC, TTC, SPA, and Operations. Coordinate calendars, meetings, resources, workflows, inquiries, and projects. Serve as a key contact for faculty, staff, university offices, and external partners. Resolve issues, maintain documentation, and support efficient operations.
• Event Planning & Research Engagement : Provide administrative leadership for ORI research events, workshops, seminars, meetings, and engagement activities on and off campus. Develop timelines and coordinate speakers, invitations, registration, facilities, technology, materials, vendors, and event logistics. Support setup, day of coordinator and post-event follow-up.
• Executive & Operations Meetings : Provide administrative support to ORI leadership and Operations by coordinating meeting schedules, agendas, materials, and action items. Attend and document meetings, prepare accurate minutes, capture decisions and assigned responsibilities, and distribute meeting documentation. Track outstanding action items and coordinate follow-up with responsible parties.
• Communications, Projects & Cross-Functional Initiatives : Support ORI communications, special projects, and cross-functional initiatives. Draft and distribute professional communications and support newsletters, website content, flyers, presentations, and outreach materials. Track project milestones, deliverables, and metrics; coordinate with university partners; assist with the implementation of new processes and systems; and independently manage assigned projects from planning through completion.
• Office Operations & Efficiency : Manage office supply inventory, coordinate with the Executive Assistant to enhance office efficiency, conduct building inspections with students, greet and assist visitors, coordinate room setups, and maintain effective office workflows to support daily operations, organization, safety, and a welcoming, efficient environment for staff, students, and visitors.
• Occasional Outside-of-Business-Hours Events & Logistics Support : Provide before- and after-hours event support, including travel to pick up supplies and transport materials to research or satellite locations. Occasional travel to off-campus locations may also be required, including transporting materials or assisting with event setup.
• Other Duties as Assigned : Support additional research administration, operational, and departmental activities as needed to advance ORI priorities and ensure effective office operations.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Business Administration or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of administrative or project coordination experience is required, preferably in higher education or research administration.
• Experience in event planning and logistical coordination preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain collaborative relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• A strong customer service orientation and a collaborative approach is essential.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
• Must also have strong organizational, planning and time-management skills.
• Strong project coordination skills, effective meeting management, and documentation skills are essential.
• Candidate must demonstrate strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• A strong working knowledge of and/or experience with database tools and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams and Zoom) is also required.
• Strong records and data management skills preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• BendReach above shoulder level
• Carry/Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Sit for extended periods
• Squat
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/Lift over 25 -50 lbs.
• Kneel
• Stand
• Walk for extended periods or long distances
• Push/Pull
• Crawl
• Climb
• Carry/Lift over 50 lbs.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply: October 8, 2026Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 27, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.