Department Coordinator

Partners for Rural Impact's (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we've worked for 25 years to create student opportunity
and success.


Position Summary


The Department Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives, reporting to the Chief of Staff-Level II, serves as the key operational support role for the Strategic Impact and Funding Infrastructure teams, helping ensure organizational priorities, projects, and initiatives are executed efficiently and aligned with organizational goals.


This position is responsible for managing day-to-day administrative and operational functions, maintaining organizational systems, coordinating workflows, and facilitating communication across teams. The Department Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting internal alignment, monitoring priorities and deliverables, coordinating meetings and events, and ensuring information, processes, and documentation are organized, accurate, and consistently maintained.


Primary Duties and Responsibilities


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Leadership & Administrative Coordination:

• Provide high-level administrative support to designated senior leaders

• Manage complex calendars, scheduling, and meeting logistics with internal and external stakeholders

• Coordinate travel arrangements, itineraries, and expense reporting

• Prepare, format, and distribute internal communications, reports, presentations, and other supporting materials

Internal Operations & Workflow Management:

• Coordinate and track departmental priorities, deliverables, action items, and follow-up activities

• Support the execution of departmental and organizational workflows to ensure timely completion of projects and initiatives

• Maintain organized systems for documents, contracts, records, and operational materials

• Assist with process improvement efforts to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and organizational alignment

• Maintain accurate meeting notes, contact records, and activity updates within Salesforce and other organizational systems

Meeting & Event Coordination:

• Coordinate internal and external meetings, convenings, and events, including scheduling, logistics, and participant communications

• Prepare agendas, meeting materials, and supporting documentation

• Document key decisions, action items, and next steps and ensure appropriate follow-u

• Support board meetings, leadership meetings, stakeholder convenings, and other cross-functional gatherings as needed

Cross-Functional Communication & Coordination:

• Serve as a liaison across departments to support collaboration, alignment, and information sharing

• Facilitate communication between leadership, team members, and internal stakeholders

• Monitor and support follow-up on key initiatives, projects, and organizational priorities

• Handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment

Systems & Process Support:

• Support the maintenance and effective use of organizational systems, tools, and collaboration platforms

• Assist with onboarding coordination and other internal administrative processes as needed

• Contribute to the documentation, standardization, and continuous improvement of departmental procedures and workflows

• Coordinate administrative support related to procurement, grants, contracts, invoicing, and other operational activities across the department

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule


This position follows PRI's hybrid work model, which requires employees to work from their designated workplace location, PRI Office in Berea, KY, at least three (3) days per week. Location requirements are subject to change based on organizational needs. Occasional local, state, and national travel may be required. Remote work may be available on remaining workdays based on departmental needs and supervisor approval. Local, state, and occasional national travel may be required.


Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor's degree required in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience supporting senior leaders, coordinating projects or operations, or managing administrative and organizational workflows

• Experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization preferred

• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives or organizational projects preferred

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate competing deadlines, and maintain attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level administrative and operational support in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence, reports, presentations, and meeting materials

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with leaders, colleagues, partners, and other stakeholders

• Ability to coordinate meetings, events, travel, and logistics while ensuring a high level of customer service and professionalism

• Ability to coordinate workflows, monitor action items, and follow through on priorities to support departmental and organizational objectives

• Ability to maintain
  accurate records, documentation, and filing systems while ensuring data integrity and organization

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment

• Skill in identifying opportunities to improve administrative processes and support operational efficiency

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate needs, exercise independent judgment, and adapt to changing priorities

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint

• Experience using Salesforce or other customer relationship management (CRM), document management, and collaboration systems

• Ability to learn and effectively utilize organizational systems, technologies, and business processes

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a collaborative member of a cross-functional team

• Working knowledge of administrative operations, records management, and business practices that support effective departmental operations

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Access to reliable transportation

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally

• Ability to operate standard office equipment

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.