Research Center Procurement & Events Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid vacation

Sick time

Holidays

Retirement plan TRS 8.25% matching

403(b) and 457(b)

Tuition assistance

Employee discount program

UT libraries and museums access

UT Shuttle and CapMetro rides

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s Wireless Networking and Communications Group is seeking a Procurement and Events Coordinator to manage purchasing, procurement, inventory, and events for a high-profile research center. You will coordinate procurement documentation, vendor relations, and on-site event logistics, ensuring compliance and timely processing.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years in purchasing, procurement or event coordination, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant or related field.
• Three (3) years of related experience in purchasing, 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.
• Ability to balance competing deadlines and collaborate across organizational levels.
• Detail-oriented and self-directed, with ability to deliver accurate results under changing priorities.

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.
• Coordinate major center events and selected meetings, workshops, seminars, and 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.

Skills

Purchasing & procurement

Event coordination

Vendor relations

Communication skills

Organization

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin’s Wireless Networking and Communications Group is seeking a Procurement and Events Coordinator to manage purchasing, procurement, inventory, and events for a high-profile research center. You will coordinate procurement documentation, vendor relations, and on-site event logistics, ensuring compliance and timely processing.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years in purchasing, procurement or event coordination, with strong