Administrative Specialist
Within the Institute, the Center for Economy and Society is a multidisciplinary research and teaching initiative dedicated to reinvigorating debates about political economy. CES aims to establish itself as an intellectually diverse hub for cutting-edge political economy research and teaching. By facilitating engagement across a spectrum of views, CES aspires to serve as a wellspring for pioneering research and pedagogy that pushes new directions in the future of the economy.
We are seeking an Administrative Specialist who will plan and coordinate a large portfolio of special events and projects, both onsite and externally. He/she will have a dual reporting relationship to the CES Director and the Institute’s Associate Director of Finance and is expected to be onsite 3-4 days a week. The Administrative Specialist will collaborate closely with staff in the SNF Agora Institute and be responsible for ensuring the smooth execution of center events and operations.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Independently manage complex calendars and meeting schedules based on an understanding of shifting priorities.
- Provides preparation for meetings, presentations, and discussions by gathering critical details to facilitate timely responses and task management.
- Staff management and team meetings, and follow-up on action items.
- Anticipate departmental needs by prioritizing incoming work to ensure timely and effective resolution and following up with deadlines, drafts, reminders.
- Lead or significantly contribute to recurring or ad-hoc projects, including providing support or guidance to other staff.
- Assist with planning and conduct of events as needed.
- Perform general office management necessary for efficient operations. e.g. assisting with space issues, room reservation requests, technology needs, etc.
- Ensure timely processing and submission of travel reimbursements, online payments, purchase orders, non-employee expense reimbursements.
- Locate and compile information to format and produce reports, graphs, tables, records and other sources of information.
- Responsible for answering questions, providing guidance, and disseminating information.
- Interpret and communicate operating policies.
- Proactively identify and assist with the resolution of administrative problems.
- Maintain high-level knowledge of the informal and formal department goals, standards, policies, and procedures including familiarity of other departments in the school/division.
- Perform other duties as requested.
Supplemental Information
- Planning, coordinating and executing all Center events, including high-level seminars in Washington, DC, as well as multi-day retreats in various locations throughout the country and various board meetings.
- Potential travel to events to various venues throughout the US might be needed.
- Providing project management for various research projects within the Center and working with collaborators throughout the institution on publications of research results.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
- Five years in providing high level expertise
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with special event management.
- Experience in an academic setting and/or development activities and operations, providing high level administrative oversight, coordination and advice.
- Experience with managing complex, multi-day event logistics both domestically and internationally.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage digital tools (e.g., Notion, Google Workspace, scheduling platforms) for operational workflows and project coordination.
Classified Title: Administrative Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PC
Starting Salary Range: $53,800 - $74,100 - $94,400 Annually ($70,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus
Department name: 60007752-SNF Agora Institute
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences