Associate, Data & Policy Analysis and External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Title: Associate, Data & Policy Analysis and External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Department: Office of Data & Policy Analysis and Office of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Supervisor: Vice President, Data & Policy Analysis

Status: Non-Exempt

Staffing Level: Associate

Application Deadline: January 8, 2021

Summary

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a research, policy and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the US, Canada and Mexico, is seeking an associate to provide administrative support to the Office of Data & Policy Analysis (75%) and the Office of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (25%). The incumbent will perform a broad array of administrative tasks to ensure effective office operations including planning conferences, webinars, and meetings; record keeping; managing on- and off-site meeting logistics; scheduling meetings and coordinating calendars; and overseeing the payment of invoices. The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communications skills, be able to manage time and multiple projects efficiently, be competent in computer software and communications/social media applications and provide exemplary customer service. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. For more information, please consult www.aplu.org.

Background

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.  With a membership of 245 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU's agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement.  Annually, member campuses enroll 5.0 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $49.2 billion in university-based research.

The Office of Data & Policy Analysis (DPA) provides data and analytical support for various APLU offices. Specifically, DPA is responsible for much of APLU’s collection and analysis of data, policy support for the Office of Government Relations, and management of APLU’s criteria for membership process. Additionally, DPA supports The Commission on Information, Measurement, and Analytics (CIMA). CIMA creates space for APLU institutions to come together to form communities of practice around effective and efficient use of data and fiscal resources to guide campus planning and decision making. DPA also oversees two external data resources. VSA Analytics, which is a robust, interactive, and custom tool to support college and university leaders’ use of data in strategic planning and decision making. The Student Achievement Measure (SAM), is a transparency initiative where higher education institutions track students across institutions to create a more complete picture of undergraduate student progress and completion within the higher education system.

The Office of External Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EDEI) has primary responsibility for supporting the APLU Council of 1890 Universities and the Commission on Access, Diversity, and Excellence and working with others at APLU to develop, implement and evaluate DEI goals for current and future member and program related work. This involves coordinating the sharing of best DEI practices in member and program related work across the organization. The Council of 1890 Universities, comprised of presidents, chancellors, and the agriculture education, research and cooperative extension leadership of APLU-member historically Black land-grant universities, primarily addresses matters pertaining to strengthening teaching, research, and extension programs at these historic institutions. The Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence (CADE), seeks to develop a comprehensive agenda to broaden access and opportunity, improve the quality of the undergraduate experience, and enhance diversity within student and faculty populations at public universities. The Commission is comprised of representatives from a cross-section of APLU member institutions including presidents and chancellors, vice presidents, deans, and other campus leaders.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will provide administrative support to both the Office of Data & Policy Analysis (DPA) and the Office of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (EDEI).  Primary duties and responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to, the following:

Office of Data & Policy Analysis (75%)

DPA Office Operations

• Provide general administrative support to DPA, including scheduling meetings, processing expense reports, reconciling AMEX accounts, etc.
• Work with the Finance department and Director to track and manage the project budget, develop and distribute project invoices, collect subscription fees, maintain contact information, and provide regular updates on the status of customers.
• Assist in the development of content and maintenance of webpages and databases for VSA and SAM.
• Draft and edit reports and other communications.
• Support efforts to increase participation in DPA activities (e.g., CIMA, VSA, SAM) through social media, creation of promotional materials, and conference participation.
• Serve as project coordinator for special projects and events (e.g., CIMA Summer Meeting and CIMA activities at Annual Meeting) which may include planning and coordinating presentations, disseminating information, coordinating direct mailings, and creating newsletters.
• Maintain positive relations with member university representatives through in-person, virtual, and email interactions.

Commission on Information, Measurement, and Analysis (CIMA)

• Organize the Executive Committee meetings – including, preparing the materials, scheduling and setting up the meetings, taking notes and tracking activities and archiving documents.
• Support the Program Planning Committee – including, preparing materials, scheduling and setting up the meetings, taking notes and tracking activities, documenting decisions, and setting up shared workspaces when necessary.
• Support the Nominations Committee – including, preparing the agenda and materials, scheduling and setting up the meetings, taking notes, setting up election processes, and documenting results.
• Lead the coordination of the Summer Meetings for CIMA, including planning the logistics, developing background materials, taking meeting minutes, and coordinating follow-up activities.
• Work with the Chief of Staff and President’s Office to coordinate the logistics, planning, and management of conferences and meetings including obtaining, reviewing, and evaluating hotel contracts. Support CIMA sessions at the APLU annual meeting and other DPA off-site meetings, activities, committees and governance activities.

Office of External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (25%)

• Provide general administrative support to EDEI, including scheduling meetings, processing expense reports, reconciling AMEX accounts, etc.
• Work with the Finance department and EDEI Program Manager to track and manage the project budget, develop and distribute project invoices.
• Draft and edit various communications.
• Maintain positive relations with member university representatives through in-person, virtual, and email interactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. Degrees in higher education, data analysis, diversity/equity/inclusion, or related field preferred. 
• Administrative support experience. Work experience at a college/university, a higher education organization, a non-profit organization, or a non-profit involved with relevant issues is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills.
• Experience coordinating tasks associated with complex, multi-faceted projects including billing, communication with customers and stakeholders, and maintenance of project documentation and records.
• Experience planning and coordinating events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to work both as part of a team and independently, taking direction from and communicating with multiple team members to keep track of activities and priorities on multiple projects.  Ability to make sound decisions.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and priorities, to resolve problems, to meet important deadlines, and to recognize potential issues and bring them to the attention of the appropriate team members.
• The ability to maintain poise, professionalism, focus, consistency, and accuracy under pressure.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.
• Experience using a customer relations management (CRM) system. Experienced and skilled in the use of Microsoft office products, social media, and web-based research and information tools.
• Experience tracking and reporting expenses for projects or grants.
• Commitment to the work of the APLU.
• Ability to travel domestically as needed.

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest and resume to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with the subject line: Associate, DPA & EDEI. Applications will be reviewed as received with preference given to those received prior to January 8, 2021. APLU provides a generous benefits package. 

APLU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating and promoting staff regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Read more about APLU’s Commitment to Diversity here.