Job Details

Dallas Institute Program Specialist (HR Title: Senior Program Specialist)

Position Number: 7161451
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Other Administrative Positions

Dallas Institute Program Specialist (HR Title: Senior 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:

The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, founded as an independent nonprofit in 1980, now operates under the auspices of SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Our mission is to enrich the practical life of the city with the wisdom and imagination of the humanities.

The Dallas Institute accomplishes its mission through events, conferences, and general courses of study for our community, through professional programs for educators, and through publications.

About the Position:

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

The Dallas Institute Program Manager will assist the Director of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture in the development, planning, marketing, administration, oversight & evaluation of all Dallas Institute programs, events, & communications. (Examples: the annual MLK Symposium, Sue Rose Summer Institutes for Teachers, the Hiett Prize for the Humanities, Dallas Institute Fellows Gatherings, Center for the City events, and other future initiatives).

Duties include: bookkeeping, budget management, event planning, marketing Dallas Institute programs; assisting with special projects, general office administration, resource development & donor relations, occasional digital & website management, supervision of Dallas Institute interns.

Since the Institute works closely with other departments & schools across the university (e.g. English, Simmons) this position will also include administrative support for those collaborations.

Essential Functions:

Advise & assist the Director of the Dallas Institute with outreach & communications for Dallas Institute programs. Oversee Dallas Institute archives & publications; project planning, inventory management, writing, design support, and oversight for regular e-newsletters, publicity materials for major events, press releases, website content, social media posts & any paid media or social advertising.
Serve as primary contact for external & internal audiences while keeping the Director apprised of communications.
Liaise with Web Developer. Write, proof, and/or revise written correspondence. Conduct necessary research. Complete room usage reports, maintain mailing lists, support travel and expense reporting. Provide executive-level administrative support for Director and visiting faculty.
Advise & assist the Director with all major and minor academic administrative assignments including, but not limited to, supporting course and program proposals, submissions, and evaluations to the Dedman College Dean, CAPE, and/or Moody Graduate School.

Oversee collaborative programming with other departments as needed.
Financial: Monitor Dallas Institute expenses & revenue to ensure spending remains within budgetary constraints. Work with SMU a/p department & external vendors to ensure timely submission and payment of invoices & honoraria. Order supplies, provide travel & expense support to Director & faculty, purchase air fare when needed for guest speakers, and submit monthly expense report.
Program and Event Coordination: Work with the Dallas Institute Director to organize all program and event logistics, including oversight of Dallas Institute archives; serving as primary contact for speakers and participants in Dallas Institute programming; coordinating with and arranging travel, accommodation, and honoraria for speakers; reserving event spaces and AV equipment; working with vendors; and attending and running major events.
Stakeholder Relations: Work with the Dallas Institute Director and Dean of Dedman College to support the Institute's advisory board and coordinate board functions. Work with Dedman College Development to steward existing donor relationships and assist with annual endowment reports.
Supervise Dallas Institute interns.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's is required. A degree in humanities (English, Modern Language, Classics, Philosophy, etc.) is preferred.

A minimum of 5 years of experience is required. Experience with event planning and budgeting is preferred. Familiarity with SMU offices and systems 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.

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 must have professional writing experience and must be proficient in Microsoft office. Knowledge of website design, Canva, Constant Contact, Concur and advertisement creation is preferred.

Candidate must be available to work occasional evening or weekend events.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration will be granted to applications submitted by May 29, 2026.

Deadline to apply is June 19, 2026.

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: Dedman College

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: May 15, 2026, 2:05:11 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=DED00000473&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC