Senior Associate, Digital Transformation for Student Success

Summary

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico seeks a Senior Associate, Digital Transformation for Student Success (DTSS) to provide administrative, logistical, and programmatic support to the DTSS Office. The Senior Associate will contribute to a variety of projects that aim to advance the use of digital learning technologies at member universities to promote student success for all. Ideal candidates will have experience in financial processing, administrative coordination, and event planning as well as a strong interest and ability to use technology. They will also have a keen attention to detail. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. The incumbent must be eligible to work in the United States, reside in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and pass standard background checks. They are eligible for a hybrid work schedule. For more information, consult www.aplu.org.

Background

APLU is a membership organization that provides advocacy and support to land-grant and public research colleges and universities. fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s membership consists of more than 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada, and Mexico. Annually, member campuses enroll 5.4 million undergraduates and 1.5 million graduate students, award 1.5 million degrees, employ 1.4 million faculty and staff, and conduct $67 billion in university-based research.

Responsibilities

1. Independently provide logistical, administrative, and programmatic support on a variety of technology-based student success projects or initiatives.
2. Coordinate with finance staff to distribute project invoices, process reimbursement requests, and maintain contact information. Prepare expense reports and credit card reconciliations and coordinate invoices/reimbursements. Independently prepare contracts for vendors and consultants.
3. Independently coordinate the logistics, planning, and administrative aspects of conferences, meetings, and events (both virtual and in-person) for DTSS, including grant-funded projects, such as obtaining, reviewing, and evaluating vendor contracts, drafting/compiling meeting materials, providing on-site support, etc. in accordance with APLU policies and procedures.
4. Schedule meetings, communicate meeting agendas, and prepared meeting minutes.
5. Draft and edit documents, emails, and other communications. Distribute communications using email marketing software as needed.
6. Update and maintain DTSS files, records, and archives.
7. Independently maintain accurate records within APLU’s knowledge management platforms and customer relationship management systems (CRM). Carry out communication with members through APLU’s email marketing system as needed.
8. Maintain positive relations with a diverse group of member university representatives through in-person, virtual, and email interactions.
9. Demonstrate a positive interest in leveraging technology like Large Language Modules (LLMs) and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within the APLU IT enterprise.
10. Support content development and maintain DTSS’s online presence, including webpages, social media outlets, and blog entries as needed.
11. Participate as an integral member of the DTSS Team and APLU and contribute to a supportive, welcoming and collegial workplace.
12. Perform other duties as requested by team, Office of Academic Affairs, and mission of APLU.

Preferred Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) with three or more years’ administrative support experience, including financial processing.
2. Experience planning and coordinating events, including workshops, webinars, and conferences.
3. A keen attention to detail.
4. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Comfort interacting with professionals at all levels.
5. Demonstrated organizational and multi-tasking skills. Ability to take direction from, and communicate with, multiple team members, keep track of activities and priorities on multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
6. Ability and willingness to adopt and integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud-based tools into workflow and day-to-day operations.
7. Excellent time management skills. Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, identify and establish priorities, work independently, and exercise sound judgment related to providing support and assistance.
8. Ability to identify potential issues and bring them to the attention of the appropriate team members as they arise.
9. Ability to maintain poise, professionalism, focus, consistency, and accuracy under pressure.
10. Experience with Office365 is highly preferred, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Planner, and SharePoint as well as experience managing virtual meetings, especially via Zoom.
11. Experience using a customer relations management (CRM) system and databases is a plus. Comfort using and learning new technologies.
12. Commitment to the work of DTSS and APLU.
13. Ability to travel domestically three or more times a year (primarily within the United States), including over weekends and the Veteran’s Day holiday.

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest and resume to APLU’s Human Resources Department at resume@aplu.org with the subject line: Senior Associate, DTSS. Applications will be reviewed as received and continue until the position is filled, with preference given to those applications received by February 28, 2026. The annual salary for this position ranges from $59,000 - $62,000, depending on experience and qualifications. APLU is committed to a welcoming work environment and supports staff with a generous benefits package.

APLU offers employees a flexible work environment and a competitive benefits package, including 15 paid holidays, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, a 10% retirement contribution (no employee contribution required), medical/dental/vision plans, a commuter benefit, employer-paid disability & long-term care coverage, a wellness benefit, paid professional development/educational assistance, and more!