Part-Time Project Manager - Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative

The Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Part-Time Project Manager.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Smith OEDC's Director of Outdoor Economic Development, the Project Manager will be responsible for leading the OEDC's effort to evaluate and assess the tourism, outdoor recreation, community development, conservation, and health & wellness ecosystem in Central Appalachia. The incumbent will be integral to the initial research and development of a strategy(s) and programs designed to serve as the foundation for a sustainable and coordinated effort to advance the ecosystems focus areas that is built off current organizational core work and evaluation of existing capacity, programs, and resources. This is a fully remote position, with several site visits required, with one year of funding.

What You'll Do

Project Management & Administration

• Ensure the project development process and deliverables aligns with the project's outputs and outcomes and the funders mission and priorities. Including developing and submitting grant reports.
• Coordinate project activities in a way that adheres to the planning objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
• Plan and schedule project related tasks, meetings, and activities to ensure the project moves forward in a timely manner to meet project timelines, and within budget
• Maintain detailed records for reporting and time management including monthly progress reports, timesheets, and budget updates.
• Prepare regular updates on project status, next steps, and challenges.
• Support and at times lead the OEDC in brand development for the future implementation of this initiative

Engagement & Research

• Lead and facilitate national trends, regional, and state benchmarking research on related programs and activities
• Identify and document regional case studies across the U.S., and Central Appalachian.
• Identify, interview, and assess regional stakeholder and anchor organizations working across Central Appalachia in the tourism, outdoor recreation, community development, conservation, and health & wellness ecosystem.
• Develop a regional program asset inventory and comparative analysis. Including a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges assessment, resulting from the interviews and stakeholder engagement
• In collaboration with WVU Smith OEDC staff and faculty, develop and implement a regional stakeholder & partner needs assessment survey.
• Perform a gap analysis of the various programs and services being offered in Central Appalachia in the tourism, outdoor recreation, community development, conservation, and health & wellness ecosystem.
• Regularly track current outdoor recreation economy reports, impacts, benchmarks, and publications from state, regional, and national partners across the outdoor ecosystem
• Develop initial recommendations and identification of organizations and institutions most suitable to deliver outdoor activation, conservation, and economic development programs across Central Appalachia
• In collaboration with WVU Smith OEDC staff and faculty, perform a geospatial analysis and mapping of regional assets across the service area
• Facilitate in-person stakeholder engagement/focus group meetings and interviews with anchor organizations across the service area
• Participate in a benchmarking site visit with WVU Smith OEDC staff to evaluate existing programs and initiatives across the U.S.
• Create detailed reports and/or publications (e.g., fact sheets, manuals, articles) around the metrics gathered from project activities.
• Lead the development of a strategic convening of regional stakeholders and anchor organizations to showcase the results of the research and gather feedback on future direction

Strategic Development & Recommendations

• Lead the development of program strategy recommendations that leverages the current impactful programs and services and identifies tactics to fill the gaps in the assessment
• Establish agreements that coordinate organizational alignment and cohesion among stakeholders and anchor organizations in Central Appalachia
• Develop a scalability plan for implementation of various programs across the region
• Draft an implementation strategy and program recommendations, including content, structure, etc... for a Central Appalachian initiative that fosters collaboration, increases capacity, expands best practices and programs, and strives to fill the identified program and capacity gaps.
• Coordinate the packaging and distribution of various plans and documents developed as part of this initiative for dissemination at the inaugural WV Outdoor Economy Summit.

Other

• Represent WVU and the Smith OEDC during all meetings, engagement, and events
• Support the creation of content and stories for regular Smith OEDC newsletters, social media, and websites.

Work Hours: 29.5 Hours per Week

• Bachelor's required in Outdoor Recreation, Business, Organizational Development, Leadership, Marketing & Communications, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive program management, development, and assessment experience.
• Project management experience for outdoor recreation or business-related projects

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to be innovative, strategic, and thoughtful about multiple constituents and projects.
• Demonstrated skills in team building and networking.
• Experience with local, state, and federal outdoor industry organizations, tourism, and conservation agencies
• Experience building and facilitating virtual and in person meetings, surveys, and presentations
• Demonstrated ability to foster positive relationships with multiple diverse professional constituencies.
• Skilled in communicating complex ideas to a variety of constituencies.
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation, tourism, conservation, and health programs and offerings within the state of WV, region, and nation.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including large group presentations.
• Needs to be a self-motived innovator that looks for unique opportunities to advance the program and state.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.