Events & Office Coordinator - SURA - Southeastern Universities Research Association : Job Details

Events & Office Coordinator

About SURA:

By joining SURA, you will be putting your talent to work toward the goal of making big science happen. You will be part of a community centered on discovery, public service, and achievement that has national impact. SURA's main purpose is to foster collaboration among our 54 member universities to enhance their capabilities of undertaking significant, transformative scientific research projects that no single institution can handle independently. We are driven to promote and support scientific discovery that pushes the frontiers of knowledge and impacts lives and communities.

SURA was founded in 1980 by a group of research universities to bid on the construction of a national Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) in Newport News, Virginia. and was selected by the Department of Energy to design, build, and operate this national user facility. Described by the Washington Post as “the most advanced experimental nuclear physics facility in the world,” today the laboratory is known as the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). Since 2006, SURA has operated the Jefferson Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy through Jefferson Science Associates LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SURA.

Through funding from the National Science Foundation, SURA helped to establish the original academic internet as part of the ‘NSFnet' program and contributed to the nation's cyberinfrastructure as a partner in the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) program, also funded by the NSF. SURA also receives funding from NASA on a variety of science, engineering, and education programs at the Goddard Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center.

Position Summary:

The Events & Office Coordinator plays a pivotal role executing corporate events to enhance SURA's leadership and visibility in the community. Additionally, provide operational support for the headquarters office. This position involves significant interaction across all departments and interfaces with various internal and external stakeholders.

Events Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the SURA leadership and partner organizations to establish and promote world-leading scientific and technical events.

• Provide support for internal, external, and board meetings. Coordination for events, leading and/or supporting as necessary and appropriate, and distributing of required materials.

• Manage meeting logistics, ensuring that all internal and external meetings run efficiently.

• Serve as point of contact for conference room inquiries and reservations. Submit pre-approvals for conference space events, coordinate vendors, and assist with reservations.

• Develop and implement communication strategies for events that enhance SURA's visibility as a regional organization with international impact.

• Disseminate event information through various media channels, including the SURA website, media outlets, as well as social media platforms.

• Headquarters Responsibilities:

• Receive and interact with incoming visitors, respond to inquiries, and prioritizes internal and external scheduling requests. Briefs the President & CEO regarding daily schedules and ensures s/he is adequately prepared for commitments.

• Maintain inventory budget of office supplies, purchasing, and distribution of office supplies. Facilitate maintenance of office equipment including cleaning and repairs.

• Liaise effectively with internal staff and external stakeholders to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration.

• Efficiently manage the DC office space and contribute to the success of onsite meetings and events.

• Serve as liaison for building management to ensure the efficient functioning of the office and technology, building accessibility, and maintenance.

• Coordinate scheduling for the CEO

Qualifications:

• Applicable undergraduate degree (e.g., communications, business administration, management, or related field) along with specialized training and experience.

• Familiarity with education and science associations, particularly those involved in higher education and academic research.

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively engage with a diverse community.

• Proficiency in analytical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiation, resource management, leadership, and mediation.

• High level of political sensitivity, diplomacy, tact, and judgment in interpersonal relations.

• Proficiency in computer applications, including word processing and experience maintaining website content.

SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.