Who We Are
Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
Who We Are
Located within Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP), the Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is one of 52 members part of a national consortium continuously funded by NASA since 1989. There is one of us in every state, plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. MSGC is comprised of 12 affiliate universities within the State of Michigan, with University of Michigan serving as MSGC's Lead Institute for the state.
MSGC's strategic elements are derived from the needs of the state of Michigan, the nation, and NASA priorities. NASA funds MSGC to create, develop, and promote opportunities that reflect NASA's strategic interests in aerospace, space science, and Earth system science and technology in Michigan.
To accomplish our goals with NASA, MSGC maintains a broad portfolio of competitively awarded funding opportunities. Funds provided by NASA flow through us to support STEM related research, outreach and educational efforts across the State of Michigan. We award more than $500K in projects to more than 100 awardees, each year, spread across 12 affiliates and dozens of community partners.
The MSGC team is small, with one PI, an assistant director, and a part-time temporary/student support.
Responsibilities*
Program Management and Coordination 50%
- Manage applicant and awardee process, including communication, preparation of proposals, file tracking, and post-award processes
- Maintain essential grant documentation, e.g. databases, research proposals/awards, award letters, release forms, progress reports, final reports, and other legal requirements
- Direct the collection and retention of data related to MSGC's awardees
- Serve as the primary point of contact among stakeholders, directing process flow of administrative matters pertaining to funding, eligibility, and other components of grant submission
- Maintain MSGC's online grants submission platform (Submittable) and serve as main point of contact for technical support for applicants and reviewers.
o Assign Reviewers
o Compile results, etc
- Provide administrative direction for MSGC meetings, including MSGC's board and other senior leadership
- Coordinate required reporting to funding agency (i.e. NASA) via NASA Help with NASA STEM Gateway entries, Congressional District Planning
- Special projects as necessary
Marketing and Communications 30%
- Execute MSGC's communications strategy, creating promotional/educational materials, training manuals, newsletters, website articles, and brochures to raise and maintain MSGC's profile in scientific community
- Develop MSGC's online presence, assessing the value of strategies like social media presence
- Conduct awardee and market research as needed.
- Manage all communication with applicants, awardees, prospective partners, and other external stakeholders. This communication will include normal outreach and internal status communications to the team.
Outreach and Event Planning 20%
- Direct outreach activities, including community events, workshops, appearances and other communication opportunities
- Together with the assistant director and PI, maintain engagement to retain current partners, volunteers, donors, and prospects.
- Manage hosting of internal events, including planning and execution. These include MSGC's Fall Conference, annual board meeting and board retreat. Such hosting will include coordinating facilities, external vendors, and A/V (via IT staff)
- Coordinate guest speakers and contributors' itineraries, travel, hotel arrangements, and reimbursements, ensuring compliance with both NASA and UM requirements
Skills You Have
You thrive in situations that call for quick, independent decision-making. You excel at problem solving and take pride in your efficiency and ability to balance competing priorities. You possess exceptional attention to detail. You take direction but exercise your own judgment when needed, thriving both independently and as part of a small. You are eager to grow your experience in a dynamic environments with increasing responsibilities. You have a curiosity about the world around you and are excited by science.
The Program Coordinator reports to the MSGC Assistant Director. Because of the size of the team and the scope of its mission, regular communication with Assistant Director and PI on a variety of matters, including project status, expectations, schedules and time frames.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in social science or communications field or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
3-5 years experience in coordinating programs, particularly a federally-funded program.
Excellent verbal, written, visual representation skills, including knowledge of how to present information on social media.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, and Adobe.
Adaptable learning style that allows for in-person, remote or web-based training.
Excellent organizational, record keeping, and project management skills.
Ability to work outside of regular business hours on occasion for meeting setup, to attend board dinners and Fall conference held one Saturday a year in October.
Occasional in and out of state travel 2-3 times a year
Prior customer service experience with demonstrated abilities in active listening
Desired Qualifications*
Familiarity or experience with UM software
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.