Program and Administrative Support Associate

Who We Are

The Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) was established to develop and promote research- and data-informed strategies to transform funding of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs for children ages 0-5. Housed in Northern Illinois University’s Division of Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development (OERD), CELFE works in collaboration with academic, data, and research partners across the NIU system as well as with external partners and clients.

CELFE works to improve ECEC policies with children and families at the center through consulting with states and municipalities, data and research analysis, and strategic communications. The scope and reach of CELFE continues to grow and deepen, and we need an organizational support professional to help our team of 14 policy, research, data, and finance professionals to ensure CELFE succeeds and thrives. This role would support current projects and assist in the ongoing day-to-day operations of CELFE.

As such, we are hiring a Program and Administrative Support Associate to support current projects and assist in the day-to-day operations of CELFE.

The Opportunity

Responsibilities center on supporting the overall work of CELFE staff, with a targeted focus on administrative and office management, budget and financial tracking and monitoring, and client and project support in the form of scheduling, documentation, and meeting preparation. This position will work closely with our Communications Manager and our Client Engagement Manager, and will serve as a direct assistant to the Executive Director, helping with project development, workflow management, and the preparation of research papers, public presentations, and project plans.

This position reports directly to the Deputy Director and will work across all workstreams and projects at CELFE. The position requires someone who is adaptable, can multitask, and likes to work in a collaborative team environment. CELFE works in-person in our Chicago downtown office 1-2 days per week and is remote for the remainder of the week.

Examples of some of the work expectations are outlined below:

• Work collaboratively with CELFE leadership and NIU budget & finance offices in monitoring and tracking CELFE revenue and expenditures.
• Manage required reporting to funders, clients, and NIU.
• Work closely with the Communications Manager to support the operations of our communication strategy. Provide editorial support for internal and external CELFE products, including research papers & policy briefs, newsletters, grants, presentations, and more, as needed.
• Oversee administrative functions, including managing the CELFE credit card, travel arrangements, facilities, supply management, and meeting preparation.
• Support the ED in meeting deliverables and deadlines, including calendar and meeting management, client communication, and more.
• Support the day-to-day work of the client, research & data, and communications teams.
• Capture and develop project and product ideas, including writing outlines for papers, sketching out and managing project plans, ensuring deliverables are met, and ensuring appropriate stakeholders are engaged.
• Support the coordination and integration of CELFE workstreams to align with and support the mission, vision, and values, and help to realize the business goals of CELFE.

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills to the position:

1. Excited by a start-up environment and the opportunity to support a variety of projects.
2. Strong administrative skills, including project management and budget tracking and reporting.
3. General comfort level using technology-based platforms for project management, with basic research understanding and experience. Strong project management experience and skills and attention to detail
4. Event and meeting planning and facilitation skills, and comfort working with a variety of audiences,
5. Problem-solver with strong initiative to keep work moving; helping to establish clarity of goals and purpose if it doesn’t already exist,
6. Good communicator in person as well as in a virtual work environment.
7. Willingness to support fundraising activities, including proposal writing, tracking budget and project deliverables, and more.

Education & Experience

1. Associate degree (bachelor’s degree preferred) in business, communication, or related field
2. Minimum 5 years of work experience, preferably in business administration, office management, finance, or related field.
3. Bilingual Spanish/English a plus.

Attributes

1. Commitment to equity, justice, and early childhood education and care with children and families at the center.
2. Comfortable with a start-up environment and flexibility to adapt to uncertainty and changes in work priorities.
3. Willingness to ask questions, learn from others, and share ideas and talents with your colleagues.
4. Can manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet client-driven deadlines and needs.
5. Ability and willingness to travel for in-person meetings, attend and present at conferences and/or client-related meetings.
6. Enthusiasm to learn new skills and work collaboratively with CELFE team members.

This position is a hybrid, Chicago-based position with a requirement to be in person for a portion of every week. 100% remote candidates will not be considered for this position.

Qualified candidates will be required to complete the NIU hiring application as part of the interview process.

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000 based on experience and relevant skills.

Direct any questions and letters of interest with resume to Sessy Nyman, Deputy Director at nnyman@niu.edu by July 1, 2026.

Health & Dental insurance

English required, bilingual (Spanish) preferred