Program Manager - Postdoctoral Education and Development

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The WashU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is seeking a Program Manager for Postdoctoral Education and Development, who reports to the OPA Director and works collaboratively with other members of the OPA team.

The Program Manager for Postdoctoral Education and Development is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing postdoctoral education programs and initiatives that support professional, career, and skill development. This role leads the execution, evaluation and continuous improvement of a competency‑based postdoctoral education curriculum. The Program Manager serves as an expert advisor for postdocs, faculty, and staff, manages educational digital platforms, and identifies accessible advising resources. The role also establishes and maintains on- and off-campus partnerships and represents the OPA on internal and external committees. This position requires strong program design, analytical, and collaborative skills to advance high‑quality postdoctoral education and career development.

The OPA serves around 1,000 postdoctoral appointees on both the Danforth Campus and the Medical Campus. As an active unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, the OPA works to ensure that postdoctoral appointees have the support they need to grow as scholars and make meaningful contributions to the university and beyond. We serve as experts on postdoctoral appointments, administer postdoctoral policy, advocate for postdoctoral issues, help postdocs reach their career and professional goals, and collaborate with institutional and national partners to create a lively, supported, and inclusive postdoctoral community.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Development and Evaluation:

• Develops, implements, and assesses strategic initiatives for postdoctoral professional, career, and skill development following national best practices in postdoctoral education.

• Leads the implementation and refinement of a competency-based postdoctoral education curriculum.

• Develops and implements program evaluation plans, ensuring accurate tracking of participation, outcomes, and alignment with educational goals.

• Stays current on emerging trends and needs in the job market and the research community to inform curriculum design and programming.

Thought Leadership and Partner Management:

• Contributes to the OPA leadership team providing specialized knowledge and skills to set and achieves organizational, programmatic, and operational goals.

• Establishes and maintains partnerships with key campus and local partners, professional societies, and national organizations involved in postdoctoral affairs.

• Represents the OPA on internal and external committees, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Advising and Technology Management:

• Acts as a resource expert and advisor for postdocs, staff, and faculty regarding procedures, postdoc career guidance, and complex situations in the postdoctoral experience.

• Manages educational digital platforms and maintains expertise in technology- and AI‑assisted learning, including appropriate and ethical use.

• Identifies and curates multi-platform digital advising resources that support postdoctoral education and career development.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions:

• Occasional conference travel overnight.

• Onsite, with possibility of hybrid schedule.

Physical Effort:

• Typically sitting at a desk or table.

• Occasional lifting, carrying, or pulling (up to 50 lbs.)

Equipment:

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Skills:

Not Applicable
Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Requirements:

• Competencies in university-community partnership.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Academic Administration, Adobe Creative Cloud, Analytical Thinking, Audience Engagement, Curriculum Development, Detail-Oriented, Higher Education Administration, Higher Education Admissions, Inclusion Strategies, Instructional Material Development, Interpersonal Communication, Microsoft Office, Needs Assessment, Oral Communications, Program Designing, Scholarly Research, Strategic Thinking, Teaching, Team Diversity, Written Communication

Grade

G11

Salary Range

$53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.