Program Coordinator, Samuel Dubois Cook Center on Social Equity

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality, collaboration, and purpose-driven work. As the Program Coordinator, you'll bring your organizational strengths, creativity, and attention to detail to a mission-centered academic environment. Reporting to the Managing Director at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, you will support faculty, staff, students, and partners as they advance equity-driven research, education, and public engagement. Your work will help transform ideas into impactful programs, meaningful experiences, and lasting community connections.

Be Bold.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative academic setting and enjoys managing multiple priorities while contributing to a larger social mission.

What You'll Do

Program, Academic, and Event Support (65%)

• Assist with the implementation of research, programming, and academic initiatives aligned with the Center's mission and strategic goals.
• Plan and execute colloquia, conferences, book launches, meetings, and special events in collaboration with Center partners.
• Manage full-cycle event logistics, including registration, facilities, catering, media services, safety/public safety, room setup, vendor coordination, staff coverage, and on-site support.
• Serve as Course Coordinator in the partnership with NEON (National Education Opportunity Network), supporting delivery of no-cost, for-credit Duke courses to scholars in low-income high schools nationwide.
• Support processing of summer and academic-year fellowship applications, including preparing materials for selection committees, drafting offer letters, and completing related tasks.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate interns and work-study students.

Administrative Operations Support (20%)

• Assist with tracking research outputs, activities, and program impact across the Center.
• Assist with daily Center operations, helping implement and refine procedures, processes, services, and systems.
• Coordinate administrative operations, serving as a liaison to finance and HR teams for hiring paperwork, onboarding, timesheet/stipend processing, and similar needs.
• Manage financial processes with the support of the Office of Interdisciplinary Finance, ensuring accurate records and policy-aligned processing of transactions.
• Maintain organized administrative and program records, including shared files, spreadsheets, contact lists, program documentation, and tracking systems.
• Perform routine administrative tasks to ensure smooth Center operations.

Communications Support (10%)

• Design and distribute print and digital materials-including brochures, reports, one-pagers, and promotional assets-in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Communications.
• Maintain and update website and social media content.
• Support production of stakeholder email newsletters and announcements.
• Ensure all materials adhere to Duke University and Cook Center brand/style guidelines.

What You Bring

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work requires one year of experience in program administration or involving academic, instructional or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate and implement a variety of program activities and events. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills & Strengths

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate concurrent programs and events, meet deadlines, and effectively track and organize information.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a wide range of partners.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational abilities.

Preferred

Three years of experience coordinating programs or projects in academic, nonprofit, or administrative settings, OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE.

• Experience supporting programs or faculty in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of business and management principles related to strategic planning and coordination of people and resources.
• Experience working with or supporting undergraduate students.
• Experience developing communications and creative content for digital and social media.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Adobe Express or Canva; HTML email platforms (e.g., MailChimp, Emma, Constant Contact); and Drupal or other CMS platforms.
• Commitment to advancing equity-driven research and education.

Choose Duke.

Choosing Duke means choosing work that matters-and a community that helps you grow while you do it. At the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, you'll help deliver research-driven programming and learning experiences that connect campus ideas to real-world impact. You'll join a highly collaborative environment where your coordination, communication, and operational strengths directly support faculty, students, and partners-and where your contributions are visible, valued, and connected to a larger purpose. If you're looking for a role where you can sharpen your skills, build strong relationships, and help advance equity-focused work at a world-class university, you'll find it here.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help advance the mission of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity while building a meaningful career at Duke.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and references through the Duke University careers portal.