Job Details

Program Specialist

Position Number: 6741562
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Other Administrative Positions

Program Specialist

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

SMU Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unusual mix of the arts - visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) - as well as a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship.

The SMU Impact Lab serves the University's entrepreneurial students, faculty and alumni in the spaces of social, creative and arts entrepreneurship. Through investments, experiential learning opportunities, course work, cross-disciplinary educational workshops, and structured mentoring, the SMU Impact Lab will invest in those who desire to have a net positive impact in the world through entrepreneurial action.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Program Specialist for the SMU Impact Lab provides high-level administrative, operational, and project management support to advance the mission of the Impact Lab. This position plays a key role in coordinating cross-campus and community partnerships, managing program operations, supporting investment- and impact-related initiatives, and serving as a liaison between the Fund Manager, SMU stakeholders, and external partners.

Essential Functions:

Program Coordination and Operations - Coordinate day-to-day operations of the SMU Impact Lab, including scheduling, event logistics, communications, and administrative processes. Support planning and execution of classes, pitch days, workshops, and student engagement events. Maintain project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure smooth execution of Lab initiatives.
Project Management - Serve as project manager for select Impact Lab initiatives, ensuring timely completion of tasks and effective collaboration among students, faculty, and community partners. Develop and maintain project management systems (e.g., Airtable, Asana, or university-approved platforms) for tracking progress across multiple programs.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication - Serve as primary liaison between the Fund Manager and university stakeholders including faculty, administrators, and student leaders. Draft and send correspondence, meeting invitations, and follow-up communications on behalf of the Fund Manager. Coordinate engagement with members of the Investor Committee, Advisory Board, and community partners.
Event and Meeting Coordination - Plan and execute all logistics for Impact Lab events, including venue coordination, catering, AV setup, guest communication, and registration. Coordinate class and meeting schedules with faculty, students, and external participants. Support investor and advisor participation in key Lab events and presentations. Prepare briefing materials, agendas, for meetings.
Administrative Support & Office Management - Manage calendar, travel arrangements, reimbursements, and expense reporting for the Fund Manager. Maintain organized digital records, contact lists, and project documentation. Ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
General - Assist with the collection and organization of data and reports related to program outcomes and impact metrics. Support due diligence and evaluation process. Support outreach and relationship management with impact investors, philanthropic partners, and external collaborators. Manage communications and event logistics for public-facing activities, including pitch days, investor briefings, and campus-wide events.
Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A degree in Business or a related field is preferred.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience is required. Experience in event planning and stakeholder coordination is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills with the ability to represent the program professionally to senior administrators and external partners..

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate familiarity with impact investing, social innovation, or entrepreneurship is preferred.

Candidate must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools. (knowledge of an interest in interfacing and utilizing LLMs such as Chat GPT, Grok, Claud or others) is essential.

Candidate familiarity with Apple operating systems and social media platforms is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by December 5, 2025

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Office and Administrative Support

Organization: Meadows School of the Arts

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Nov 20, 2025, 8:26:49 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=MEA00000150&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC