JMU X-Labs Programs and Initiatives Manager

Working Title: JMU X-Labs Programs and Initiatives Manager

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: X-Labs

Department: 100640 - IT-4VA Initiative

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $61,200-$65,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 08/09/2024

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

James Madison University X-Labs is seeking a Projects and Initiatives Manager. JMU X-Labs is a fast-paced innovation hub that uniquely serves the entire JMU community and external partners through courses, research and creative practice, esports, and work-based learning experiences. Grounded in design thinking, engaged learning, inclusive excellence, community, systems thinking, creative inquiry and collaboration, it is a space for converging cross-disciplinary teams, networks, and initiatives that respond to complex and grand challenges. JMU X-Labs continually launches pilot programs and new courses, and promotes engaged learning experiences, integrative research, and innovation. Learn more at https://www.jmu.edu/jmuxlabs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Projects and Initiatives Manager reports to the Executive Director of JMU X-Labs.

Responsibilities include:
• Manage X-Labs projects including its annual Innovation Summit; a student advisory board (launching ’24-’25), and new programs as they are created. Coordinate supervision, management, and leadership for X-Labs Impact and Innovation Student Fellowship program. Design, oversee, and meet project timelines; coordinate project plans and logistical details across the team, implement a digital project management system; monitor project outcomes, budgets, and spending;
• Create curricula for, lead, and facilitate workshops for visiting youth and adult groups in design thinking, creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and team work. This includes research, preplanning, creation of materials, ordering of supplies, creation of learning objectives, practice runs of the workshop, facilitating the workshop, adapting the length of workshop to meet needs of the group, assess learning outcomes. Give 30-minute tours of X-Labs to JMU visitors, external partners, visiting faculty; possible teaching opportunities in X-Labs courses that need expertise in communication, marketing, and project management;
• Design, execute, and oversee X-Labs communication and marketing strategy. Create content for, design, and manage X-Labs website, quarterly newsletters, social media platforms; design, create, and produce promotional materials for all programs and courses; oversee marketing support for the Esports program, work with Esports student marketing team to approve branding and designs of all publicity, update website; create quick-responding publicity and marketing campaigns that support the launch of new programs; design, suggest content for, and produce X-Labs annual report; market X-Labs to potential stakeholders at JMU and in the community, collaborate with X-Labs assistant directors to develop pathways for JMU faculty and student involvement in X-Labs; build, manage, and optimize use of X-Labs customer relations management system;
• Manage and analyze data from faculty and external partners on programming, curriculum, and resources; maintain communication with project participants; report outcomes at the conclusion of projects

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in relevant fields
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Strong problem solving and decision-making capabilities
• Strong collaboration skills and experience
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Professional writing and editing skills
• Experience with event logistics and communications strategies
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail
• Evidence of demonstrated commitment and contributions to Inclusive Excellence and the values espoused by JMU X-Labs

Preferred Qualifications:
• Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline

Additional Posting Information:

Candidates should complete the online application and provide:
• A current resume or CV (uploaded under ‘Resume’ in PageUp)
• A cover letter
• A Statement of Inclusive Excellence: This statement should address the applicant’s efforts towards diversity, equity, inclusion and/or justice, to demonstrate a focus on inclusivity within the applicant’s workplace activities. The statement should not focus on personal values and personal experiences, but rather on actions and experiences as they relate to inclusivity in the workplace
• An optional professional writing sample

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.

Salary : $61,200 - $65,000