Career Center

Department: MED-Cancer Center
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University has a long-standing history of commitment to advocacy, education, outreach and engagement. The Program Coordinator Sr. provides support to enhance operational excellence of the Lurie Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement efforts in order to ensure success. This position will facilitate partnerships with community partners in the Chicagoland area (including community, faith-based, and patient advocacy organizations; public agencies; coalitions) to establish and deepen trusting relationships working towards improving health equity in Chicagoland. Establishes and maintains key relationships and ongoing linkages between and among current and potential community partners. Independently identifying possible community partners, attending and representing Lurie Cancer Center at community meetings, and building professional relationships. Systematically tracking partner communication, interests and involvement. Serving as liaison between community partners. Ensures the effective, compliant, & efficient daily management of all operational, financial, & business functions in support of the Lurie Cancer Center's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Facilities, & IT.  Represents the Lurie Cancer Center on internal & external administrative affairs by recommending alternatives & suggestions. This position requires a culturally aware individual with excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.  

The program/project is summarized below.  (Definitions: Program: plan or system of taking action toward a goal.  Project: planned actions with specified beginning & end.)

Please note: Some evening and weekend hours. Local travel required, personal vehicle needed.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains & reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Oversees documentation of agreements between NU and partner organizations, ensuring that agreements are completed, appropriately reviewed, approved, and adhered to by all parties.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Ensures program/project success in regard to goals including recruitment, participation, etc.
• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion.
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs, working with partner institutions & media to ensure marketing plan effectively targets community members.
• Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.
• Pursues opportunities for community partnerships. 

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives.  

Events

• Manages programming, educational, student, community members, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Manages planning and arrangement of meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships. 
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Program Development

• Researches catchment area needs and developments to enhance, improve, and innovate program curricula and delivery to better meet goals & objectives. 
• Coordinates with program/project sponsors on the delivery of all onsite instruction and provision of logistical support.
• Supervises creation of components, including curriculum development, lectures, conferences, seminars, support groups, etc.
• Oversee development and implementation of new program/project initiatives.
• Manages relationships with partners, foundations, etc. and coordinates logistical support
• Continually assesses and innovates program/project to achieve educational goals.
• Develops strategy for program/project growth and expansion.

Strategic Planning

• Assist with implementing strategic plans. 
• Reviews plans, meets with leadership & key faculty & staff.
• Provides advice & counsel & recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 1 year research study or other relevant experience.  

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong community connections and experience in working with diverse Chicagoland communities.
• Grassroots advocacy/community organizing/coalition building or similar experience.
• Knowledge and familiarity of Chicagoland communities including community priorities, and local issues/history, politics, and community engagement in an academic health/medical setting.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking, group facilitation, and writing. Able to interact effectively and tactfully with a broad range of people (e.g., grassroots leaders, community residents, government officials, teachers, physicians); persuasive and diplomatic; assertive, with the confidence to talk to people at all levels.
• Reliable and able to work both independently and as a team member; resourceful, able to plan own workday, set objectives and identify new opportunities as they arise.
• Ability to establish priorities and react promptly to large variety of requests, sometimes with short deadlines.
• Interest in and commitment to improving health equity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on large collaborative projects and/or with teams that span multiple sites.
• Project management experience.
• Proficient in Spanish

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Health education experience and/or interest in developing health education materials.
• Health disparities knowledge desired.
• Strong ability to multitask.
• Strong understanding of Social Determinants of Health framework.
• Works with minimal supervision and able to adapt to community partners’ needs.
• Humility and the desire to learn

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.