Program Manager

Job Summary

The Science Research Initiative (SRI) in the University of Utah's College of Science invites applications for a Program Manager. SRI is a dynamic, rapidly growing program that connects undergraduate students with research experiences, career development, and a community of scientists through several integrated initiatives, including SRI research streams, the Career Accelerator Program (CAP), First Experience (SCI 1500), and ACCESS Scholars programming. Since its founding, SRI has served more than 700 undergraduate students, and in the coming year will support 13 Postdoctoral Research Fellows alongside continued program expansion.

The Program Manager leads the operational side of SRI, working alongside the Director, Associate Directors, Postdoctoral Fellows, and stream leaders to ensure programs run smoothly, scale effectively, and deliver a high-quality experience to students and Fellows. This role recruits, supervises, and develops a team of SRI student ambassadors who carry out day-to-day logistical and administrative tasks — allowing the Program Manager to focus on program strategy, systems, partnerships, and team leadership.

This is a high-level, high-visibility role within a program that is growing quickly and has strong institutional support. The right candidate is an experienced program leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, builds and develops effective teams, and is committed to the success of undergraduate researchers.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day operations across all SRI initiatives - research streams, CAP, SCI 1500, SCI 2715, and ACCESS programming - ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery
• Partner with the SRI leadership team to translate program priorities into operational plans, timelines, and systems
• Identify opportunities to improve, scale, or evolve programs based on student outcomes, feedback, and growth

Student Experience & Ambassador Team

• Recruit, supervise, train, and develop a team of SRI student ambassadors who support program logistics, events, communications, and student onboarding
• Hold responsibility for hiring, scheduling, and performance management of the ambassador team
• Foster a cohesive, high-quality student experience across SRI's integrated initiatives

Events, Recruitment & Course Coordination

• Oversee SRI and CAP event programming, including retreats, speaker series, the annual symposium, and Postdoctoral Fellow interview processes
• Direct the SRI student application, review, and onboarding processes
• Coordinate course operations for SCI 1500 and SCI 2715, including section requests, scheduling, and TA onboarding

Finance, Travel & Procurement

• Oversee program travel, scholarship administration, and conference/publication funding for students, Fellows, and stream leaders
• Manage program purchasing through UShop and the university PCard in line with U of U policy
• Help maintain operational systems for budget tracking and policy documentation in collaboration with leadership

Marketing & External Engagement

• Oversee program communications, including the weekly SRI newsletter and student-facing updates
• Partner with College of Science marketing on website, materials, and promotional campaigns
• Represent SRI at College of Science and university-wide events, and at external conferences

Strategic Contribution & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute insights and recommendations to strengthen SRI's impact and inform leadership decisions
• Adapt to evolving priorities and take on new areas of responsibility as the program grows

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking. Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related area plus three years of experience in budget, grant and program management or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required. Develops and implements program ideas into successful academic and research programs; demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• Experience working in a university, research, or academic program setting
• Familiarity with University of Utah systems (CIS, UShop, PeopleAdmin, MyTime)
• Experience supervising student workers, ambassadors, interns, or other emerging leaders
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex projects and drive them forward with minimal direction
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort operating in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Experience with student recruitment, onboarding, or academic advising support
• Experience managing budgets, processing reimbursements, or administering scholarship programs
• Demonstrated ability to develop and document administrative processes and policies