Project Manager - Sponsored Research Portfolio

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office (SIRO) Project Management Office at Penn State is seeking a research portfolio Project Manager. The role will support a variety of grants with a majority focus on the management of a $21M Department of Energy research center entitled "Center for 3D Ferroelectric Microelectronics." This is a liaison position that will provide lifecycle award management encompassing pre and post award engagement with federal and non-federal grants.

SIRO is a central research administration unit that is part of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR). The mission of the OSVPR is to support a rigorous program of faculty and student research and creative accomplishment by enhancing the environment for scholarly and artistic endeavors, encouraging the highest standards of quality, and fostering ethical conduct in research. SIRO's mission is to provide direct support for university-wide, strategic multi-college and multi-institutional research efforts.

The position will report to the SIRO Associate Director of Project Management for operational oversight and will also receive day-to-day direction from the Principal Investigator.

Responsibilities: The responsibilities are specific to lifecycle project management of research administration (pre-award/strategic coordination and post-award management) while leading project team management across multiple PSU Colleges/Departments, Central Offices, Sponsor, external collaborators, and subrecipients. The position requires flexibility and agility to pivot between projects.

Responsibilities for this position include the following:

• Lifecycle project management of the research administration process (proposal development, proposal building process, account set-up, award management, reporting, close-out)
• Direct assignments of administrative team members and monitor status of assigned tasks during pre and post award stages
• Liaise with cross-functional teams and conduct regular communications with Principal Investigators, Subrecipients, Sponsor, Internal PSU and departmental/college staff on a variety of administrative functions
• Coordinate and manage multi-disciplinary working groups and committees
• Attend and lead administrative and technical meetings
• Monitor and forecast project financial health to ensure on track with appropriate spend rate
• Monitor cost share accounts for multiple budgets
• Monitor multiple subrecipient budgets, expenditures, amendments
• Monitor milestones, timelines, end dates, budget realignments and extensions, prior approval requirements for changing aspects of a fund
• Review sponsor and University guidelines, ensure team understanding and compliance
• Assess unique project requirements and work with various units to support
• Coordinate preparation and submission of complex reporting
• Participate and assist with internal and external audits
• Manage/coordinate the process of accessing sponsored funds and budget realignments
• Oversee closeout procedures for timely financial and technical close-out
• Oversee conference and annual retreat coordination
• Manage website, SharePoint, and online sites
• Utilize project management tools to track, monitor, and convey data
• Recommend and provide process improvement strategies and relative guidelines and/or standard operating procedures to support
• Create schedules for reporting on multiple grants and aid Principal Investigator in meeting deadlines
• Manage travel as needed for Principal Investigator

Education and Experience: This position will be filled at the Intermediate Professional level. The minimum qualifications are a Bachelor's degree and 1+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proficiency in MS Office suite and Advanced Excel is required. Project management of research administration and federal research center is strongly preferred.

The Project Manager is expected to possess the ability to work in a team environment as well as independently, have strong time management, organizational, data analytics and communication skills, and contribute to innovative ideas in improving and streamlining processes while providing tools to best manage the project.

Work Arrangement: This position is eligible for Hybrid work arrangement at University Park, PA. Standard work times will be in EST.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to tuition discounts (75% discount for spouse and children), and paid holidays. Please visit https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits for more detailed information.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

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