Academic Programs Office Manager, Durham

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) a constituent of the University of North Carolina System, is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer our Residential high school program in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors, our Online supplementary honors program, and individual virtual daytime Connect courses in partnership with local high schools, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising fifth- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980. For more information visit ncssm.edu. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran or national guard. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $59,311 - $63,730

Hiring salary will be determined based on education, experience, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Professional Knowledge Knowledge of the specific program area(s). Ability to keep current with developments and trends in areas(s) of expertise. 
• Program/Project Administration Ability to coordinate and administer program(s)/project(s), activities and protocols. Ability to manage resources and budget. Ability to prepare and manage contracts and grants. Ability to monitor activities, and assess risk and quality control associated with the program. 
• Consultation Ability to provide advice and counsel. Knowledge of the client programs, organization and culture. Ability to acknowledge and consider client’s and organization’s range of internal and external priorities in terms of the organization’s mission and goals. Ability to understand the relationships and interrelationships of all the issues across organizational boundaries. Ability to share knowledge and critical thinking processes to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes. 
• Information Analysis and Decision-Making Ability to review, summarize, and analyze program information, data, business operations, and/or financial statements. Ability to determine and ensure compliance with program objectives, laws and regulations. Ability to choose an effective course of action or develop appropriate solutions and/or reach conclusions. Ability to take action consistent with available facts, constraints, and anticipated consequences. 
• Communication and Marketing Ability to communicate, in written and oral form, detailed and technical program information, guidelines and standards/statutes/codes/regulations to various audiences to ensure that they understand the information and the message, and to seek compliance. Ability to deliver presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience such as negotiating solutions among different parties. 
• Leadership Ability to coordinate, facilitate, and participate in a collaborative approach to the completion of tasks or assignments.

Team NCSSM Benefits

NCSSM has once again been recognized as the best public high school in America in Niche.com’s new 2027 ranking of schools in the United States. This marks the fourth time in five years that NCSSM has earned the top spot nationally. More importantly for North Carolina citizens and students, this also marks the seventh year in a row that Niche.com has named NCSSM the top public high school in North Carolina. Read more. 

Join our winning team!

NCSSM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being, growth, and work-life balance of our employees. Highlights include generous vacation and sick leave; 12 annual holidays; paid parental, family medical, and community service leave; and flexible work schedules where applicable. Leave is earned monthly and pro-rated for part-time employees and those working less than 12 months. Employees also enjoy access to the State Health Plan, multiple retirement options (including TSERS and ORP), supplemental retirement savings plans, tuition waiver benefits across the UNC System, and free access to on-site facilities like a gym, library, and cafeteria. Additional perks include life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and membership eligibility with the State Employees Credit Union.

Please visit NCSSM Employee Benefits for more information. 

Supplemental and Contact Information:

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please note: Only one application is accepted per candidate for each specific job posting. 

If you have questions, please email careers@ncssm.edu.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences:

• Administrative Program Management Experience: 3+ years of demonstrated experience managing day-to-day office operations, administrative programs, and supporting executive-level leadership.  
• Academic or Higher Education Environment: Experience working within a high school, college, or university setting, with a history of supporting faculty, students, parents, and leadership across multiple departments or campuses. 
• Financial & Budget Administration: Proven experience managing program/departmental budgets, monitoring expenditures, performing reconciliations, and utilizing financial management systems or software.  
• Event Coordination & Logistical Planning Skills: Experience planning, organizing, and executing large-scale events, ceremonies, or retreats, including managing logistics such as travel, vendor setup, and scheduling. 
• Written & Verbal Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with experience interacting professionally with internal and external stakeholders. 

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Careers@NCSSM.EDU