Associate Director of Research Project Management

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Research Project Management provides integral support to the organization in its research and operational efforts.

This position provides leadership and oversight to the Research Project Management Group, including program management and strategic direction and support for large collaborative projects at RENCI. The role is directly responsible for staffing and overseeing complex research projects funded by NIH, NSF, and other federal and state government organizations, as well as leading collaborative efforts between RENCI and UNC campus units as needed.

The Associate Director is expected to interact with representatives of federal agencies, universities, government, and industry partners to expand RENCI’s funding portfolio. Additionally, the Associate Director manages day to day business operations, supervises project resources, and works closely with the Office of the Director in supporting RENCI’s overall strategic goals.

The position assumes supervisory duties for 3 – 7 direct reports, including staff development, resource deployment, process creation, and implementation. The incumbent should be highly motivated and detail oriented, a strategic thinker, and a team player, with demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

The incumbent must have the ability to perform the following duties:

• Strategic Team Sustainability: Develop growth plans, Monitor capacity and capabilities, Communicate upcoming needs, Maintain operational processes
• Events / Communications: Co-lead and advise RENCI workshops, hackathons, trainings, and multi institutional meetings
• Budgeting: Maintain group budget and ensure compliance
• Group Supervision: Lead and manage direct and indirect reports
• Strategic Organizational Support: Participate in RENCI leadership activities, Identify internal improvements, Develop updated processes
• Proposal Support: Contribute to proposal development, collaboration building, and funding growth, Monitor federal funding opportunities
• Project Planning & Management: Plan and manage large, multi faceted projects, Analyze and mitigate project risks, Manage day to day project operations, Lead complex initiatives and manage multiple projects
• Proposal & Communications: Assist in research and proposal development, Draft and edit scientific and technical materials, Generate routine project reports
• Interpersonal: Establish and maintain constructive working relationships, Understand internal operations relative to external expectations
• Technical: Use hardware and software to support project outcomes, Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Jira), Identify and recommend new technologies
• Management: Lead staff in alignment with UNC policy, Mentor employees and support professional development, Develop operational frameworks and standardized approaches

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• 3+ years in project or program management
• PMP certification
• Experience with federally funded projects
• Academic or education environment experience