Operations Associate (Part-time)

About North Park

Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

Position Summary

The Operations Associate provides part-time support for the Axelson Center through office administration, staff support, center involvement, internal system development and maintenance, and on-campus system coordination.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary point of contact with on-campus support services: mail room, facility rental, physical plant, IT, business office, development, and HR.
• Work closely with the Assistant Director and Assistant Director of Programs on program logistics/execution for all related programs.
• Reserve rooms, set up AV/tech support, coordinate catering arrangements; prepare all program materials and signage; and onsite program management.
• Handle accounts payables and receivables, receipt generation, process refunds, track and reconciling invoices and credit card account activity.
• Oversee internal and online systems for the Axelson Center (database, e-marketing, social media, surveys). Make updates to public systems in a timely manner in partnership with Center staff.
• Maintain customer data, monitor out-of-date or inaccurate information and work with external vendors if required.
• Provide administrative support for the staff of the Axelson Center including internal meeting planning and prep; meeting or event registration, preparation, and follow-up; material requests; reimbursement processing. Provide basic nonprofit sector information and resources for phone inquiries.
• Prepare communications for program participants, board, and committees. Execute other Axelson Center communications including regular eblasts and social media posts.
• Support temporary staff, student workers, and volunteers as needed; identify and delegate tasks and provide oversight for quality assurance.
• Identify and monitor opportunities (events, conferences, trainings) that align with the Center’s mission or could elevate the Center’s profile.
• Create, post, and manage Axelson Center social media channels.
• Serve as point of contact for high-level volunteers with the Center (Advisory Board, and other working committees).
• Manage RSVPs, special requests, meeting minutes, and data dissemination.

Requirements

• 2 years’ experience working in an office support role.
• Strong attention to detail.
  
• Ability to prioritize, work independently and responsibly to meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working in a team environment and maintaining good working relationships with diverse audiences.
• Exemplary customer service skills. Adaptable and flexible.
• Knowledge of relational databases, data analysis and reporting. Advanced computer knowledge and troubleshooting skills.
• Creative and flexible research skills with ability to analyze, interpret, summarize, and present information effectively.
• Commitment to Axelson Center values: excellence, multicultural; collaborative; adaptive; ethical; and environmental responsibility.
• Ability to maintain composure in a fast-paced working environment and focus on targeted priorities.
• Committed to and an articulate supporter of the university’s mission, identity, and Christian faith commitment.
• Personal commitment to North Park’s mission of Christian higher education.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in assisting staff and volunteers at special events.
• Higher education and Nonprofit sector work experience.
• Well-developed interpersonal, organizational, planning, and writing skills. Independent thinking, problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Survey Monkey. MailChimp or other e-marketing software.
• Microsoft Windows and Office.
• Cloud-based databases and CRM systems
• Videoconferencing tools (i.e., Zoom, Teams, etc.)