Research Operations Specialist - Office of Entrepreneurship

Penn State Lady Lions; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Penn State is seeking a highly organized Research Operations Specialist to support the Office of Entrepreneurship and the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in State College, PA.

The role covers operational, financial, project management, and administrative support to a complex, multidisciplinary organization. The successful candidate will manage budgets, analyze data in Excel, coordinate events, and collaborate across Finance, HR, Procurement and Facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, finance, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience with budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Strong Excel skills: formulas, PivotTables, data analysis, reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain financial and operational tracking tools for forecasting and reporting.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and grants across programs.
• Support budget development, forecasting, and reconciliations.
• Utilize advanced Excel to analyze data and generate leadership-ready reports.
• Coordinate procurement, travel, contracts, and vendor management.
• Maintain documentation to support audits, compliance, and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Procurement, and Facilities on operational needs.
• Support Hub operations: events, space management, and programs.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Budget management

Analytical skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Independent work

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Workfront

Workday

SIMBA/SAP

Power BI

SharePoint

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Office of Entrepreneurship, within Penn State's Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, seeks a highly organized, analytical, and collaborative Research Operations Specialist to provide operational, financial, project management, and administrative support for the Office of Entrepreneurship and the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub.

This position will be filled at the Research Operations Specialist - Advanced Professional OR Senior Professional level.

Reporting to the Director of Administration, this position serves as a key operational partner supporting the day-to-day and long-range needs of a complex, multidisciplinary organization. The successful candidate will combine strong financial, analytical, organizational, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills to support operations, financial management, projects, events, administrative processes, and the effective operation of the Innovation Hub.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop, maintain, and analyze financial and operational tracking tools to support forecasting, resource planning, reporting, and leadership decision-making.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, commitments, grants, and funding activity across multiple programs and projects.
• Assist with budget development, forecasting, financial reporting, account monitoring, reconciliations, and other fiscal activities.
• Utilize advanced Excel skills to analyze data, maintain complex spreadsheets, prepare reports, identify trends or discrepancies, and provide actionable information to leadership.
• Support procurement and financial transactions, including purchase orders, invoices, travel, reimbursements, labor distributions, contracts, speaker agreements, vendor registrations, and other expenditures.
• Maintain accurate financial and operational documentation and support audit, compliance, grant, and reporting requirements.
• Partner with the Director of Administration to coordinate operational priorities and special projects.
• Support daily operations of the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, including building activities, space coordination, visitors, meetings, programs, operational requests, and special initiatives.
• Manage projects, workflows, assignments, dashboards, reports, deadlines, and operational requests within the assigned project management system.
• Monitor project milestones and deliverables, communicate deadlines, follow up on assignments, and identify or elevate potential delays or operational concerns.
• Coordinate operational and logistical needs for meetings, workshops, conferences, entrepreneurship and research programs, donor and stakeholder events, and related activities.
• Manage event logistics, including space, schedules, vendors, procurement, materials, technology, building access, staffing, and onsite operations.
• Provide administrative support through meeting coordination, scheduling, correspondence, documentation, records management, and preparation of reports and materials.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures; identify and implement process improvements.
• Maintain databases, calendars, records, tracking systems, and other tools supporting organizational priorities.
• Support research and program administration activities, including grant and sponsored program tracking, financial monitoring, documentation, deadlines, and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, Research Administration, Procurement, Facilities, Human Resources, and other University offices to address operational needs.
• Provide guidance on University processes and procedures to employees, students, and stakeholders.
• Assist with onboarding, student employment, and workforce-related activities.
• Coordinate the work of student employees, interns, temporary staff, or other support personnel, as needed.
• Perform additional operational, administrative, and special project duties in support of evolving organizational needs.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including formulas, functions, PivotTables, charts, data analysis, reporting, and management of complex spreadsheets.
• Experience working with budgets, financial information, operational data, and business processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of assignments through completion.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and stakeholder relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and willingness to support multiple functional areas in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, account monitoring, or financial administration.
• Advanced Excel reporting, data analysis, and development of financial or operational tracking tools.
• Workfront or other enterprise project and workflow management systems.
• Workday, SIMBA/SAP, Power BI, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar enterprise systems.
• Research administration, sponsored programs, grant administration, or post-award financial support.
• Procurement, purchasing, travel, reimbursement, or contract administration.
• Event planning and operational logistics.
• Facilities, building, or space operations.
• Process improvement and standard operating procedure development.
• Higher education, research, entrepreneurship, innovation, or other complex organizational environments.

Work Arrangement

This position is based at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College, Pennsylvania, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consistent with University policies and operational needs.

Because the role provides direct operational support for the Innovation Hub, regular onsite presence is required, with flexibility to adjust schedules based on operational priorities, meetings, programs, and events. While the position primarily operates during normal business hours, occasional evening work and schedule flexibility will be necessary to support events and organizational activities.

The Office of Entrepreneurship operates in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. The successful candidate must be comfortable managing changing priorities and contributing wherever operational support is needed to ensure organizational success.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research Operations Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research Operations Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $108,444.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUSES SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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