Position Details

Proposed Start Date 08/03/2026

Classification Title Administrative Support

Rank N - No Rank

Working Title Propel PSU Operations Coordinator

Department 400301 - STP Strategic Partnerships Admin

Position Number D92434

Representation AU - AAUP

Renewable Renewable

Position FTE 1.0

Tenure Status N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Research and Graduate Studies (RGS) is dedicated to building a stronger, more prosperous region through excellence in research, scholarship, and community engagement. RGS provides leadership, oversight, financial and administrative support, and expert guidance for PSU faculty and staff engaged in research, sponsored projects, creative endeavors, business partnerships, and tech transfer.

Position Summary

The Propel PSU Operations Coordinator creates the operational foundation that allows four distinct innovation units — the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Portland State Business Accelerator, Innovation & Intellectual Property, and the Metro Region Innovation Hub — to function effectively and cohesively within a shared facility.

This position is the primary point of contact for day-to-day financial transactions, human resources coordination, event planning and execution, and building operations across the full Propel PSU organization. The Operations Coordinator manages logistics for a wide range of events, from small internal gatherings to large community-facing programs, and serves as the operational liaison for a high-visibility building that hosts startups, community partners, students, and regional ecosystem stakeholders. This position is full-time and reports to the Assistant Vice President for Innovation. The Operations Coordinator will ensure consistent, professional, and well-coordinated operations across all Propel units, supporting a dynamic and growing organization at the center of Portland State University’s innovation and entrepreneurship mission.

Primary position duties include:

30% Financial and HR Management – Serves as the primary point of contact for day-to-day financial management and operations across all four organizational units, ensuring accurate processing, recordkeeping, and reporting in compliance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.

30% Events Management - Plans and executes events for all four organizational units, from small internal gatherings to large community-facing programs, coordinating a broad range of logistics from initial concept through post-event wrap-up.

20% Building Operations – Acts as the primary operational liaison for the physical facility, maintaining systems, aesthetics, and infrastructure that support all units housed within the building.

10% Scheduling and Administrative Support – Provides light scheduling support to leadership and coordinates across units to ensure meetings, recurring obligations, and shared resources are organized efficiently.

10% Special Projects – Supports organizational priorities and leadership initiatives that fall outside standard operational functions, demonstrating flexibility and problem-solving across a wide range of contexts.

This is an in-person, on-campus role in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment with frequent interruptions. Some evenings and weekends are required. Start date is negotiable.

In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years of professional experience within functional area.
Microsoft Excel skills required.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience working with and managing organizational budgets
- Fiscal transaction experience
- Experience planning and executing up to medium sized (150 people) events
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Experience with building or office operations

Key Cultural Competencies

- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Generally Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with some evenings and weekends required

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $58,596 – $69,140, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers.

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Please apply online to be considered for this position. This position is open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply until the posting is closed and removed from the website.

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

To apply, please upload the following documents:

1. Resume outlining professional experience and education
2. Cover letter, describing your interest in this position at PSU (one page)
3. List of three professional references – include name, title, company, relationship to applicant (eg, supervisor), email, and phone number. We will not contact references without notifying the candidate first.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No

Background Check Required Yes

If you have questions

For questions about the position, please contact:

Joe Janda, Assistant Vice President for Innovation

janda@pdx.edu