<p>The Education Systems Center (EdSystems) is a mission-driven policy development and program implementation center dedicated to shaping and strengthening education and workforce systems. Through collaborative partnerships, EdSystems designs, implements, and evaluates policies and practices that ensure clear, unambiguous paths to postsecondary and career opportunities for all students, with a strong focus on equity.</p> <p>EdSystems is located downtown Chicago.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>Research - Program Associate serves as a central business and operations anchor for both Education Systems Center (EdSystems) and the Workforce Policy Lab (WPL) located in Chicago and will work from the Chicago offices on North Wabash. This role requires specialized research into optimal business management, financial oversight, and organizational operations. The Research - Program Associate is responsible for fiscal management, logistical efficiency, and operational excellence, supporting each team's senior leadership in high-level team coordination and external liaison functions.</p> <p>The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented "self-learner" with advanced research skills, and who possesses a strong sense of ownership and can independently manage complex financial and contractual processes while maintaining a supportive, collaborative presence within the team.</p> <p>Note: This role focuses on systems and leadership support; it does not include general administrative tasks (e.g., photocopying or general scheduling) for the broader team.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</p> <p>Financial Management - 40%</p> <ul> <li>Research, develop and maintain an overall vision of budget goals, research various potential revenue sources and the status of each possibility, and develop a proposed outline of which sources will happen at what time - then translate that into a budget plan that will dictate business development and expense allocation. This includes: </li><li>Budgeting & Reporting: Manage unit expenses and revenue; develop and maintain sophisticated financial reports for funders, EdSystems and WPL leaders, and the university division. The budget reports must be based on current best practices for each specific audience - various practices must be researched and analyzed. </li><li>Grant Contract Support: Research and support the development of grant and contract proposals by gathering necessary financial data and background information. Manage subaward agreements, track invoices, and support the execution of data sharing agreements. </li><li>Fiscal Operations: Serve as the primary manager for the units' P-Cards, overseeing reconciliation and compliance. Manage and streamline team travel processes, including authorizations and reimbursements. </li></ul> <p>Operations & Office Management - 40%</p> <ul> <li>Liaison Services: Act as the main point of contact for building management in Chicago. This department will have a long-term lease with many terms - this position must research and become familiar with the terms and their implications, and manage them to the benefit of the University. Maintain collaborative relationships with both the division and the university's finance and business teams to ensure seamless facility and administrative operations. </li><li>Team Logistics and Systems Management: Manage organizational supplies and resources, ensuring the team has the necessary materials to perform its work effectively. Utilize and optimize the team's project management and database tools (including Asana and Airtable) to ensure team collaboration and deadline adherence. </li><li>Executive Support: Assist EdSystems and WPL in the high-level organization and execution of team meetings, retreats, and special initiatives. </li></ul> <p>Marketing Communications Support - 20%</p> <ul> <li>Digital Presence:Research, develop and manage the implementation of communications strategies, including managing LinkedIn posts and other social media engagement, posting copy to the website, etc. </li><li>Conference Support: Coordinate registration and operational logistics for critical, external-facing events, such as EdSystems' annual conference, Investors Council meetings, etc. </li></ul> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Specialty Factors (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)</p> <p>N/A</p> <p>Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. </li><li>Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience, with a proven track record in project management or business operations. </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Financial Stewardship & Business Acumen: Demonstrates high-level data literacy by managing budgets, tracking complex expenditures, and interpreting financial data to provide actionable reports for leadership and funders. </li><li>Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Exercises sound reasoning and independent judgment to analyze operational challenges, propose creative solutions, and oversee large-scale logistics without the need for constant supervision. </li><li>Professionalism & Self-Development: Acts as a high-accountability "owner" of operations; a proactive self-learner who anticipates the needs of the team and implements systems to improve efficiency. </li><li>Consultation & Relationship Management: Serves as a strategic liaison between the Center, university business teams, and external partners, maintaining professional rapport while advocating for the Center's operational needs. </li><li>Digital Technology: Leverages digital tools and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, implement communication strategies, and ensure the organization's information remains organized and accessible. </li><li>Operational Leadership: Balances a commitment to the Center's mission-driven goals with the discipline to manage subawards, data agreements, and administrative functions that keep the organization compliant and effective. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications (SPS)</p> <ul> <li>Experience working in a non-profit, education, or policy-related environment, and a demonstrated interest in education policy, workforce development, or career pathways. </li><li>Experience with design software (e.g., Adobe Suite) or PowerPoint for the development of fact sheets and presentations. </li><li>Familiarity with (or a fast ability to learn) project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday) or customer relationship management (CRM) software. </li><li>Experience working in a university environment. </li></ul> <p>Physical demands/requirements</p> <ul> <li>General office requirements. </li><li>Long periods of time seated/stationary. </li></ul>