Center Manager, Center on Contemporary China

Founded in 2015, the Paul and Marcia Wythes Center on Contemporary China (CCC) within the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) advances the study of contemporary China. The Center Manager (CM) of the CCC supports the Faculty Director by executing policy and strategic direction for the Center, particularly in the areas of short- and long-term planning, international initiatives, personnel, operations, and finance. The CM is responsible for the administration of research programming and management; public and other events; development and donor management; and Center publications. The CM ensures that the Center’s affiliated faculty, students, and staff have the necessary resources to carry out their academic, research, and administrative duties.

The Director establishes the academic and intellectual direction of the Center, and the CM provides support for the Director’s vision. The CM supervises a Center Coordinator, a part-time copy editor, and 2 research assistants; and oversees budget management; academic programs, and student services; facilities and operations; staff supervision and performance management; and policy and compliance. The CM reports directly to the faculty Director, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Executive Director of PIIRS.

The CCC supports a rotating roster of associated faculty and international visitors. Its main offices are located in Wallace Hall.

Budget and financial management: The CM develops the administrative budget for the Center, in collaboration with the Director and the PIIRS Assistant Director. The CM is responsible for the careful and appropriate use/allocation of the Center’s endowed funds, and of any grants or sponsored research. Specific financial duties include the management of the Director’s grants and research collaborations with international and domestic entities and individuals from approximately 30 universities, institutions, and foundations. The CM manages the summer Global Seminar budget, contracts, and key relationships with partner organizations and other vendors. The CM provides financial guidance to the Director, as needed, on University policies and procedures on budgeting, personnel, program management, university regulations on finance and travel, and grant administration.

Personnel and academic administration: The CM supervises the hiring, performance reviews, merit increase process and terminations of the Center staff, including regular staff, short-term professional employees, casual hourly employees, and student employees. The CM must be knowledgeable in University policies and familiar with visa regulations, federal work study requirements, tax laws, and fair labor standards. The CM is responsible for the appointments of postdoctoral and professional researchers, visiting fellows, and visiting students; course and enrollment information; and graduate student support, ensuring that the Center meets all deadlines for the offices of the Dean of the Faculty, Registrar, Dean of the College, and the Graduate School.

Curriculum and course management: The CM manages the annual Drs. Charles C. and Marie S. Yu P83 Global Seminar in cooperation with the PIIRS Executive Director and Global Seminar team. Additional international assignments include:

• the management of undergraduate summer internships, which require exchange student agreements with foreign universities, including Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Peking, Fudan, Hong Kong, and Tsinghua Universities.
• the administration of the Visiting Student Research Collaborator program and exchange student program. visiting student program, and the research assistantships program.

Communications: In collaboration with the PIIRS Technology and Communications Managers, the CM oversees the maintenance and updating of the Center website and serves as project manager for website redesign projects. The CM generates content for and edits the Center’s annual report and, as needed, for other Center publications.

Facilities/Events Management: The CM manages office moves, renovations, and repairs; manages space assignments for faculty and staff and purchases of Center furniture and equipment. The CM supervises the scheduling and logistical details for advisory council meetings, conferences, department events, seminars, workshops, and lectures.

Other: The CM may assist the Center Director with Princeton-based research projects that require collaboration with professors and researchers at other institutions.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 5+ years administrative experience, preferably within higher education.

• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and communications skills.
• Ability to effectively manage the resources of the department: experience in budget management, oversight of financial operations.
• Experience in developing and managing international programming for undergraduates.
• Supervisory experience and ability to coach and mentor staff.
• Superior organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work cooperatively with a wide variety of campus offices.
• Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, and students, and other members of the University community.
• Knowledge of University policies, especially involving international operations and study abroad.
• Proficiency in website maintenance and social media platforms, both US and Chinese, such as Facebook, Twitter, Drupal, Constant Contact, Wechat.
• Cross-cultural communication skills.

Preferred Qualification

• Knowledge of the Chinese language and culture

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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