Job Description

Position Description The Graduate Program for Neuroscience (GPN) is a university-wide initiative that brings together faculty and students from nine departments across four schools at Boston University. GPN is seeking a full-time Assistant Director with independent leadership capabilities to oversee the daily administrative operations of this cross-campus training program, including its financial management, critical event planning, student registration, in-person student recruitment, travel to national meetings to enhance program identity, individual advisory meetings with >60 students for student tracking, and direct supervision of an Administrative Coordinator who will help deliver these essential components of a nationally recognized graduate program. Reporting to and working closely with the Program Director and the Programs Executive Committee, the Assistant Director will play a critical role in managing the programs complex operations, ensuring compliance with internal and external milestones, and supporting the success of a vibrant and diverse neuroscience student and facultys community. The Assistant Director will serve as a central administrative leader for the program, working directly with graduate students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. This position requires excellent organizational skills, financial and operational acumen, and the ability to communicate effectively across cultures and disciplines. 

Key Responsibilities:

General Program Administration & Oversight -30%

• Manage the daily operations of GPN in alignment with program goals, University policies, procedures of the BU registrar, and Director leadership.
• Supervise and mentor the Administrative Coordinator.
• Organize and participate in meetings of the Executive Committee and other governing committees within GPN.

Financial Management -25%

• Budget oversight, financial planning, and monitoring of expenditures. Generation of reports for internal and external review. 
• Prepare financial projections and assist with resource allocation. 
• Interface with GPN T32 financial manager.

Student Support & Compliance -25%

• Monitor student registration across graduate schools and campuses to ensure compliance with GPN degree requirements.
• Serve as a student advisor (annually starting in year 2) to review milestones and GPN course requirements. Each semester starting in year 4 of the program.
• Manage and troubleshoot student stipend payments and ensure timely, accurate processing across all the department units.
• Maintain reporting tools for monitoring student progress and generating data summaries from admission through post-graduation that can be used in training grant applications. 
• Provide administrative oversight for the student organizations NGSO and CNSO and for their participation in all internal and external advisory committee meetings and activities.
• Provide administrative oversight for the weekly GPN student seminar.

Grant & Reporting Support -10%

• Coordinate the administrative components of training grant applications, including preparation of budget documents, tables, student outcome data, and submission logistics.
• Direct interaction with faculty for grant materials. 
• Compile and organize data for progress reports and institutional reporting; support the Director in integrating program outcomes into these reports.

Communication with Proposal Development Office. Community Engagement & Events -10%

• Lead the planning and execution of major GPN events, including the annual neuroscience retreat, scientific workshops, outreach initiatives, alumni gatherings, and receptions.
• Plan travel for students and Director, as well as Assistant Director to go to National meetings.
• Coordinate logistics and administrative support for GPNs presence at national meetings (e.g., the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting) and assist with graduate student recruitment activities. Travel with the Director to these meetings and interact directly with interested applicants.
• Actively manage student and faculty engagement through regular online surveys and representation at Town Hall meetings.

Required Skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3-5 years of administrative experience in higher education, research, or a related field.
• Will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, budgeting, and event coordination.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and adapt to evolving program needs.
• Experience with graduate education and NIH training grants strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel several times per year for national recruitment and program events.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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