Project Coordinator II
AVP-Strategic Research Initiatives- Office of Research
& Economic Development
Georgia State University
The Associate Vice President for Strategic Research Initiatives (AVP-SRI) in the Office of Research at Georgia State University is seeking (1) dedicated and experiences project coordinator II. The AVP-SRI oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs as well as the following units: University Research Centers support team, Research Technology unit, Research Development, and Research Operations Improvement and Training.
The Project Coordinator II position will provide advanced project management, business operations, event leadership, and executive support for the AVP-SRI, team leadership and staff. The position independently coordinates a portfolio of complex, high-visibility initiatives that involve multiple university units, senior leaders, faculty, staff, external partners, and vendors.
WHAT MAKES URSA A GREAT PLACE?
- Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
- A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners
- Professional development opportunities and mentorship
- A rapidly growing center within an academic setting
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO
The essential duties and responsibilities of Project Coordinator II are the following:
- Advanced Project Management and Business Operations- Independently plan, coordinate, and monitor a portfolio of complex, cross-functional projects and operational initiatives from initiation through completion. Establish project scope, goals, workplans, timelines, budgets, responsibilities, milestones, and performance measures; maintain tracking tools, documentation, and status reports; and coordinate deliverables across university units, senior leaders, faculty, staff, external partners, and vendors. Identify risks, dependencies, and resource needs; resolve operational issues; and ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with strategic priorities. Review business processes and data, recommend and implement improvements, and develop standardized procedures that strengthen efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
- Events, Convenings, and Stakeholder Engagement- Lead the planning and execution of high-profile events, workshops, retreats, conferences, recognition programs, sponsor visits, advisory meetings, and other strategic convenings. Develop event plans, budgets, timelines, registration processes, communications, speaker materials, run-of-show documents, contingency plans, and post-event evaluations. Select and coordinate venues and vendors; negotiate service requirements; monitor contractual deliverables; and serve as the primary operational lead before, during, and after events. Coordinate participation by university leadership, faculty, staff, external speakers, sponsors, and community partners.
- Team Leadership and Operational Continuity- Serve as a lead worker for employees, student assistants, temporary staff, interns, or project team members assigned to initiatives and events. Provide backup coverage for monitoring and responding to the GSU research foundation email account. Manage the annual registration and renewal of GSURF in sponsor-specific systems. Coordinates procurement and payment processing of departmental and project-related purchases. Processes travel authorizations and travel expense statements, reimbursements requests and membership for the team and guests.
- Executive and Strategic Support- Provide high-level coordination and operational support to AVP and the team. Manage complex scheduling and meeting logistics involving senior university leaders, faculty, external partners, and other stakeholders. Anticipate and prepare materials needed for meetings, including agendas, background information, talking points, presentations, data summaries, and decision items. Draft and coordinate executive correspondence, reports, announcements, project updates, and follow-up communications. Triage requests submitted to the team, identify appropriate next steps, and coordinate timely responses and resolutions. Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel, financial, strategic, and institutional information.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of executive support, project coordination, event planning, and university business operations.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing executive correspondence, reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
- Ability to plan and execute high-profile events involving senior leaders, faculty, vendors, sponsors, and external partners.
- Knowledge of procurement, payment processing, travel authorizations, reimbursements, memberships, and sponsor registration systems.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, anticipate needs, resolve operational issues, and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to lead and coordinate employees, student assistants, interns, temporary staff, and project teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, shared email accounts, administrative databases, and collaborative project-management systems.
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree and four years of progressively responsible experience in project coordination, program administration, business operations, executive support, event management, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.