Program Administrative Manager

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT); Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg seeks a Program Administrative Manager within the College of Engineering Office of Research and Innovation. You will provide comprehensive project management support to multiple research teams pursuing large external funding (>$2M) and ensure execution to secure ongoing support.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will coordinate with principal investigators, pre- and post-award offices, and staff to maintain scope, timelines, and compliance, while creating

Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management experience, preferably in academic or research settings.
• Proven experience with pre-award and/or post-award grant administration
• Experience providing administrative support to research teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands to meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-quality materials
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom)
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical thinking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within team environments
• Motivated self-starter with a creative and solutions-oriented mindset

Responsibilities

• Develop work plans for identified research teams to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Monitor project progress across multiple teams and implement effective strategies to maintain project momentum.
• Facilitate effective communication among project teams, principal investigators, and administrative staff to ensure project stays on track and meet key milestones.
• Serve as liaison between research groups and the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Facilitate proposal development through assisting with proposal writing and by coordinating with pre-award and post-award offices and department research administrators to meet submission requirements.
• Lead the creation of reports, presentations, summaries, and promotional materials for the Principal Investigator and project team.
• Assist identified research teams in identifying and pursuing large-scale external funding opportunities.

Skills

Project management

Grant administration

Administrative support

Time management

Communication

Independent and collaborative work

Self-starter / solutions-oriented

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Job description

Job Description

The Program Administrative Manager in the College of Engineering Office of Research and Innovation provides comprehensive project management support to multiple research teams participating in large transdisciplinary research grants/initiatives. This role works closely with Principal Investigators and interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective execution of research projects, with the goal of securing ongoing, large-scale external funding ($2M+) to expand the projects. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Research and Innovation, the Program Administrative Manager oversees administrative project planning and execution to maintain project scope, timelines, and compliance with university and federal regulations. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, a proactive mindset, the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop work plans for identified research teams to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Monitor project progress across multiple teams and implement effective strategies to maintain project momentum.
• Facilitate effective communication among project teams, principal investigators, and administrative staff to ensure project stays on track and meet key milestones.
• Serve as liaison between research groups and the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Facilitate proposal development through assisting with proposal writing and by coordinating with pre-award and post-award offices and department research administrators to meet submission requirements.
• Lead the creation of reports, presentations, summaries, and promotional materials for the Principal Investigator and project team.
• Assist identified research teams in identifying and pursuing large-scale external funding opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management experience, preferably in academic or research settings
• Proven experience with pre-award and/or post-award grant administration
• Experience providing administrative support to research teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands to meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-quality materials
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom)
• Exceptional attention to detail and analytical thinking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within team environments
• Motivated self-starter with a creative and solutions-oriented mindset

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$55,000 - $65,000 commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

September 4, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cheri Warren at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.