Program Development Director - Transit Cooperative Research Program

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; United States; Hybrid; USD 126,880 - 198,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and personal leave

Transportation subsidies

Education assistance

Job summary

ViziRecruiter, LLC. is seeking a knowledgeable Program Manager who will lead the development and delivery of applied transportation research programs. The role requires substantial independent judgment and management of complex projects and high-visibility research.

Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline and over ten years of experience, including supervisory roles. This hybrid position entails engaging with diverse stakeholders and contributing to essential research addressing critical transportation issues.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience, 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience managing applied research projects or programs.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Support program oversight committee in identifying research needs.
• Coordinate oversight committee meetings and develop materials.
• Engage with stakeholders to identify research trends and concerns.
• Manage a portfolio of complex research projects approved by the oversight committee.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in relevant discipline

Master's or Bachelor's degree with experience

Job description

Introduction

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Overview

Requisition Number: R0002690

The Program Manager provides senior-level, non‑supervisory leadership for the development, coordination, and delivery of applied transportation research programs within the Cooperative Transportation Research Programs (CRP), including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), and Behavioral Traffic Safety (BTSCRP).

Reporting to the Director and working closely with both the Director and Deputy Director, the Program Manager serves as a primary staff partner to the program oversight committee. The position ensures that oversight committee priorities, decisions, and guidance—together with external stakeholder input—are effectively translated into internal program delivery activities and coherent research portfolios.

The role exercises substantial independent judgment, manages a portfolio of complex and high‑visibility research projects, and engages extensively with senior volunteers, sponsors, and stakeholders across the transportation community.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, provides leadership in transportation innovation through objective, evidence‑based research and convenes experts from government, industry, and academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the CRP are applied research programs—including NCHRP, ACRP, TCRP, and BTSCRP, and others—that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder‑driven research and collaboration.

Responsibilities

Oversight Committee & Program Development

• Work in close cooperation with the Director and Deputy Director to support the program oversight committee in identifying, refining, and prioritizing research needs.
• Prepare analyses, options, and recommendations to support oversight committee deliberations and approval of research projects.
• Contribute substantively to program development by integrating oversight committee guidance, stakeholder input, and operational considerations.
• Ensure oversight committee decisions and priorities are clearly communicated and addressed through internal delivery activities.

Oversight Committee Meeting Planning & Support

• Lead planning and coordination of oversight committee meetings, including agendas, schedules, materials, and decision frameworks, in cooperation with the Director.
• Develop executive-quality briefing materials, background papers, program updates, and decision documents.
• Document committee decisions, track action items, and coordinate follow‑up to support timely implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Environmental Scanning

• Independently engage with federal, state, local, and private‑sector stakeholders to identify emerging research needs, trends, issues, and concerns.
• Conduct environmental scanning of transportation policy, practice, technology, and research developments.
• Synthesize stakeholder input and present insights to the Director, Deputy Director, and oversight committee to inform program direction and delivery.

Coordination with TRB Committees & NASEM Offices

• Serve as a primary liaison with relevant TRB standing committees, task forces, and panels to inform research needs identification and promote alignment.
• Coordinate with other National Academies divisions and offices, as appropriate, to leverage institutional expertise and avoid duplication.
• Maintain awareness of related work across CRPs and NASEM to support integrated program delivery.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Manage an assigned portfolio of complex research projects approved by the oversight committee.
• Manage selected complex or high‑profile research projects personally, including contractor oversight and delivery of final products.
• Oversee contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and deliverables with minimal supervision.
• Identify and resolve project‑level issues independently and elevate strategic, fiscal, or reputational risks as appropriate.

Governance, Quality & Compliance Alignment

• Ensure adherence to TRB and National Academies policies governing committee operations, peer review, ethics, and conflicts of interest.
• Work closely with centralized CRP quality, compliance, contracting, and training functions to ensure projects meet institutional standards.
• Support consensus‑driven committee processes with objectivity and professionalism.

Communication & Influence

• Prepare concise, decision‑focused written materials for senior volunteers, sponsors, and leadership.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with oversight committee members, stakeholders, contractors, and colleagues.
• Influence outcomes through expertise, analysis, and collaboration rather than formal authority.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of cooperative or committee‑driven research programs and familiarity with transportation research sponsors and policy environments.
• Understanding of the National Academies’ mission, structure, and culture.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage complex portfolios and competing priorities.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to negotiate funding and manage high‑risk or complex research initiatives.
• Ability to train, develop, and support staff.
• Ability to operate with substantial independence, sound judgment, and discretion in a complex organizational environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems involving significant variety and to serve as a resource to others in resolving issues.
• Ability to work effectively in team‑based settings and build and sustain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to perform effectively in complex, high‑impact environments with multiple priorities and demands.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements

Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to transportation, public policy, research management, or a closely related field; or a master’s, or bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with significant professional experience demonstrating advanced subject matter expertise, leadership in complex projects or programmes, and independent research, analysis, or policy development responsibilities.

Minimum Experience

• Ten years of related professional experience, five of which were in a supervisory capacity; demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies’ activities or equivalent outside activities and effective dissemination of these activities.
• Significant experience managing applied research projects or programs.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff in a complex organization.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration None

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls Reports to the Division Director. Independently establishes goals and objectives. Supervises staff.

Mental and Physical Capabilities

• Ability to be visible on camera for meetings when remote.
• Ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.
• Ability to use multiple technology collaboration platforms, including collaboration tools.
• Ability to focus/concentrate on tasks and multitask when needed.
• Begin work at the required time, per approved schedule.
• Ability to lift/carry laptop and other mobile devices between work and home.
• Ability to commute to work.
• Ability to travel between National Academies’ facilities and off‑site sponsor/partner locations.
• Ability to work in different time zones, when travel is outside of current location, e.g., when traveling internationally.
• Ability to perform work responsibilities onsite, where required.
• Ability to interact in‑person with multiple people and large groups.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and meet deadlines.

Work Environment

Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and off‑site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits

An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. This is a benefits‑eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.