ICON-PCL Project Manager

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette seeks a Lead Project Manager for the ICoN-PCL Center to oversee day-to-day operations, develop and maintain project plans, and monitor milestones, deliverables, and budgets. You will coordinate across teams, report to sponsors, and ensure alignment of activities with program goals.

Collaborating with researchers and administrators, you will manage reporting processes, facilitate communications, and support workforce development, outreach, and research service

Qualifications

• Master's degree in technology or business-related discipline.
• Four+ years of experience in project management, business development, or related operations.
• PMP certification, or equivalent.
• Ability to work independently and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Experience with data, analytics, and CRM platforms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day project operations and sponsor communications.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans and timelines.
• Monitor milestones, deliverables, and budgets; report performance metrics.
• Coordinate activities across multiple teams and organizations.
• Prepare sponsor reports, presentations, and other documentation.
• Support strategic planning and workforce development activities.
• Mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree

Tools

CRM software

Data analytics tools

Job description

Job Summary

The Lead Project Manager of the Intelligent Codesign Cloud Lab for Non-Equilibrium and Low-Dimensional Materials (ICoN-PCL) Center is responsible for managing day-to-day project operations, developing and maintaining project plans, monitoring milestones, deliverables, budgets, and performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements. The position coordinates activities across multiple teams and organizations, facilitates communication among stakeholders, manages reporting processes, and supports the execution of complex sponsored research programs and collaborative partnerships. Working closely with project leadership, the Lead Project Manager oversees administrative and operational processes supporting user engagement, onboarding, workforce development activities, outreach initiatives, and research service delivery. The position collaborates with technical and administrative staff to improve operational efficiency, implement project workflows, mitigate risks, and ensure alignment between project goals and execution plans. The Lead Project Manager prepares sponsor reports, presentations, and other project documentations; coordinates meetings, workshops, and special events; and supports strategic planning activities that advance project objectives, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and maximize the impact of project investments on research innovation, technology development, and workforce advancement.

What We're Looking For:

• Master's degree in a technology or business-related discipline such as Science, Engineering, IT, Computer Science, Business, Economics, Public Relations, Accounting, or Marketing


• Four or more years of experience in business development, sales and marketing, project management, service management, business, office, or operations management


• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of required education and related work experience


• PMP certification, or equivalent qualification


• Demonstrated capability to work independently and assume increasing responsibility


• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills including the ability to construct presentation and marketing materials and possess the ability to work under deadlines


• Ability to work effectively in a team environment


• Self-motivated with ability to exercise sound judgment in prioritizing tasks


• Capable of navigating through complex project issues in an academic environment and managing multi-disciplinary research teams


• Ability to effectively interact and collaborate with all levels of university administration and faculty member is essential


• Ability to work with different groups of people, including industry and government partners


• Ability to work with minimum supervision, interact with faculty and administrators from different universities as well as industry and government partners to make independent decisions


• Ability to make improvements to current strategy, processes and systems


• Experience working with data, analytics, and/or commercial CRM software platforms

What Is Helpful:

• Experience working in a university and/or research team environment


• Experience working with industry and government sponsors


• Experience working with data, analytics, and/or commercial CRM software platforms


• General knowledge of university business procedures, policies, grant infrastructure, and of the fiscal planning/budgeting subject matter

What We Want You To Know:

• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position


• A background check is required for employment in this position


• FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)


• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Immediately


• Purdue University is an EO/EA University.