Program Manager

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,315 - 85,193; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University is seeking a Program Manager for the Intelligent Networked Systems Institute (INSI) to oversee a major federally funded cooperative agreement in advanced wireless communications. The role focuses on coordinating cross-university and industry activities, reporting to the Associate Director Finance and Administration, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

The position is full-time, based on the Boston campus with some local travel; the first three months are

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project management, research/grant administration, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal grant regulations (2 CFR 200); skilled in grant budgeting, application development, and account reconciliation.
• Experience managing multi-institutional and/or multi-disciplinary research projects preferred.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, financial management, and risk assessment skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project activities across universities and industry partners, ensuring milestone delivery.
• Manage sponsor reporting: monthly progress reports, quarterly updates, annual reports, and PI workshops.
• Oversee day-to-day operations: budget, subawards, and procurement.
• Assist PI and co-PIs with project structuring, processes, and compliance with policies and regulations.
• Coordinate demonstrations and site visits with industry partners; maintain project website; assist grant proposals and management plans.

Skills

Grant budgeting

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Organizational skills

Analytical ability

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Workday

Banner

Cognos

Smartsheet

Job description

About The Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Intelligent Networked Systems Institute (INSI) at Northeastern University is a leading research center, think tank, and technology incubator in the area of networked wireless systems, IoT, 5G and 6G, and future spectrum exploitation with unrivaled talent, federal funding, industry collaborations, and access to venture capital, creating a highly fertile environment for innovation and tech-based economic growth. Areas of excellence include AI for wireless systems, Open RAN, AI-RAN, spectrum sharing, mmWave and Terahertz systems, Internet of Things, network security, network management and orchestration, wireless systems in extreme environments; tech policy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. INSI seeks a Program Manager to support a major new federally funded cooperative agreement in the area of advanced wireless communications technology for next-generation data center infrastructure, and related post-award activities. This multi-year, multi-institution project is led by Northeastern University in partnership with academic and industry collaborators across the United States. The project involves close coordination with multiple industry partners for technology development, demonstration, and deployment.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary Program Manager for the project, responsible for:

• Coordinating project activities across multiple universities and industry partners, ensuring alignment and progression of milestones and deliverables.
• Managing all sponsor reporting requirements, including monthly progress reports, quarterly update meetings, annual reports, and PI workshop participation.
• Overseeing day-to-day project operations, including the operating budget, subaward monitoring, and procurement.
• Assisting the PI and co-PIs in structuring project phases, developing internal processes, and ensuring compliance with university policies, federal grant regulations, and cooperative agreement terms.
• Coordinating demonstration and deployment activities with industry partners, including site visits and technology showcases.
• Developing and maintaining the project website for public dissemination of research activities and outcomes.
• Assisting faculty with preparation and submission of new grant proposals and management plans.

The Program Manager will report to the Associate Director Finance and Administration, and will work strategically and collaboratively with the PI, faculty, staff, and students from the University and external stakeholders. This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. One-year contract, renewable contingent on availability of funding and positive performance reviews. This position will be based on the Boston campus of Northeastern University with some local travel required (including visits to partner facilities).

The Required Application Documents Include

• CV, description of 3 previous projects that may be related, and name/contact information for 3 references.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

Additional Information

Applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this position. The first three months are mandatory in person, five days a week. A successful performance during this period could lead to the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement, which would involve three days in the office. For a detailed description of INSI’s vision and activities, please refer to the INSI webpage at www.northeastern.edu/ins

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in project management, research/grant administration, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal grant regulations (2 CFR 200); skilled in grant budgeting, application development, and account reconciliation.
• Experience managing multi-institutional and/or multi-disciplinary research projects preferred.
• Well-rounded project management skills including excellent organizational skills, analytical ability, financial management, risk identification, planning, and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to tailor communications between academic project teams, federal sponsors, and industry partners.
• Ability to work in a results-oriented, fast-paced, diverse, and changing environment as part of an effective team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet demanding deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel required; experience with Workday, Banner, Cognos, or Smartsheet systems preferred.

Familiarity with wireless communications, data center infrastructure, or related technology domains is a plus but not required

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management and Coordination

• Manage and track project progress across multiple integrated technical thrusts, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met on schedule across academic and industry partner institutions.
• Prepare and submit monthly progress reports to the federal sponsor, coordinate quarterly project progress update meetings, and compile annual reports emphasizing impact and technology translation outcomes.
• Coordinate logistics for sponsor-required PI workshops and review meetings, including preparation of presentation materials and ensuring required participation from all partner organizations.
• Develop and maintain the project website in coordination with Northeastern University ITS, ensuring public dissemination of research activities, publications, and project milestones.
• Schedule and facilitate regular cross-institutional team meetings to ensure alignment across hardware development, system design, and integration activities.

Grant Management And Post-Award Administration

• Manage post-award operations for a major federally funded cooperative agreement, including subaward monitoring for partner universities and companies.
• Review and monitor procurement requisitions, expense reimbursements, cost transfers, payroll cost allocations, and other award expenditure transactions across all work tags.
• Track actual versus budgeted spending across all partner institutions; prepare budget variance reports and identify risks with recommended mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with federal grant regulations (2 CFR 200), cooperative agreement terms, and university policies and procedures.

Stakeholder Engagement And Industry Coordination

• Serve as primary administrative liaison between the project team and industry partners, coordinating site visits, demonstration activities, and technology deployment logistics.
• Support coordination of demonstration activities at partner facilities, including scheduling, material preparation, and follow-up documentation.
• Assist with preparation of materials for advisory board meetings, sponsor briefings, and industry showcases.

PI Support And Proposal Development

• Support the PI and co-PIs with day-to-day project operations, strategic planning, scheduling, and prioritization of activities.
• Assist faculty with preparation and submission of new grant proposals, including coordination of meetings and activities and liaison with the college grant development team. Participate in project meetings and follow up on action items; maintain project documentation and records.

Other Duties

Assist as necessary with various ad hoc projects within the Intelligent Networked Systems Institute, including one-time analyses, specialized projects, and support for other active grants as needed.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• CV, description of 3 previous projects that may be related, and name/contact information for 3 references.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

Position Type

General Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type

108S

Expected Hiring Range

$60,315.00 - $85,192.50

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.