Propel PSU Operations Coordinator

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.

The Propel PSU Operations Coordinator creates the operational foundation that allows four distinct innovation units — the , the and the — 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. For more information about Propel, visit the website.

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.

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

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.