Program Manager - Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Transit pass

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design is seeking a Program Manager to drive the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion from concept to execution. The role collaborates with the Center’s Director and CMU colleagues to deliver educational, research, and co-curricular programs with impact across campus.

The ideal candidate brings 3–5 years in program management, strong stakeholder engagement, and proven ability to manage complex events and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience in program management, preferably in an educational or international development context.
• Planning and organizing events with complex logistics, while managing multiple workstreams.
• Applying oral and written communication skills to stakeholder engagement, reporting, and educational content development.
• Managing budgets efficiently while maintaining accurate and auditable records.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key liaison between faculty, project sponsors, and internal/external stakeholders to ensure smooth program delivery.
• Expand programs to generate new revenue through contracts and relationships; support contributed revenue opportunities.
• Develop the next 3-year strategic plan for the Center’s positioning and capacity.
• Establish clear engagement pathways for faculty, staff, and students.
• Engage leadership and campus community in collaborations with Design alumni, companies, and organizations.
• Coordinate events (seminars, workshops, conferences) for on- and off-campus locations, including travel, meals, and registrations.
• Prepare itineraries and meeting agendas; ensure materials are produced and available.
• Arrange domestic/international travel for faculty and team; provide general administrative support.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Event planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design seeks a Program Manager to join their team for the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation and impact of the Center. The Program Manager works with the Center’s Director and others to ensure the efficient execution of educational, research, and co-curricular programs. Working collaboratively with faculty and staff, and leveraging resources from CMU, the Program Manager operates at both strategic and tactical levels to steward program development from concept to execution and ensures seamless operation, integration, and progress at every step.

Core Responsibilities

• This individual will serve as a key liaison between faculty, project sponsors, and internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the smooth delivery of programs and projects.
• Their effort will translate into new revenue through the expansion and delivery of programs, outreach to secure new contracts and relationships, and support with contributed revenue opportunities.
• Development of the next 3-year strategic plan, calibrating the Center’s positioning, capability, and capacity.
• Establish clear pathways of engagement for faculty, staff, and students.
• Engage leadership and campus community in collaborative engagements with Design alumni, companies, and various organizations.
• Leverage existing traction and relationships in pairing design with units on campus and beyond.
• Support faculty initiatives to develop research threads and probe the landscape and limits of Design Fusion.
• Event Management: Planning and coordinating events such as seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., for both on- and off- campus locations. Including coordination of travel, transportation, meals, registration, etc.
• Planning, preparing and distributing itineraries or meeting agendas; ensuring meeting materials are produced and are available.
• Administrative Support: Arranging domestic/international travel for faculty and faculty team.
• General administrative support necessary for managing programs including ordering supplies, copying materials, ordering food, arranging parking, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Adaptability and openness to change as the department and organization evolves.
• Ability to work well with others and/or as part of a team.
• Ability to respond to and manage emergency situations and/or crisis.
• Ability to work with sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and use discretion.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.
• Ability to maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to understand and follow directions.
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Visual acuity to perform activities such as extended use of a computer monitor, extensive reading, transcribing, analyzing data and figures, visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly of parts at distances close to the eye.

Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU.

Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
• 3-5 years’ experience in: Program management, preferably in an educational or international development context.
• Planning and organizing events with complex logistics, and simultaneously managing multiple workstreams effectively.
• Applying oral and written communication skills to tasks such as stakeholder engagement, reporting, and educational content development.
• Managing budgets efficiently while maintaining accurate and auditable records.

Decision Making

Decisions may affect a work unit or department. Job may contribute to business and operational decisions. Decisions have implications on management and operations of a unit or department. Job may contribute to important strategy, operation and business decisions.

Working Conditions

• Required to work normal business hours; evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
• Required to occasionally travel to and/or work at off-campus or remote locations.

Accountability

• Assists in planning, monitoring, and/or managing budget in a work unit or department.
• Accountable for the successful completion of individual goals and priorities.
• Accountable for operational results of a work unit or department.

Direction

• Performs a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures, and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments.
• Establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives, and receives guidance in terms of broad goals.

Supervision

• Authority to oversee the work activities of others.
• Does not have authority to undertake or recommend employment actions.

Requirements

• Successful background check

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function: Program, Project and Operations Management

Position Type: Staff – Regular Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis Salary

More Information: Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

Benefits

• comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• tuition benefits
• paid time off and observed holidays
• life and accidental death and disability insurance
• free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
• access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs
• fitness center access

Statement of Assurance

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

Interested in a career with Carnegie Mellon University but not finding anything that currently aligns with your interests, background, or experience? Learn how to sign up for Job Alerts through your candidate profile. If your heart is in your work, come work with us. Carnegie Mellon University isn’t just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions – it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers, and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer, and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues – and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters. We cultivate a vibrant, welcoming environment where everyone is valued and encouraged to contribute and achieve. In addition to competitive benefits and a robust support network, you’ll have access to many tools and resources to sharpen your abilities and professional skills, as well as opportunities to engage and share perspectives with a dynamic and inspiring community of uniquely talented staff, faculty, students, and alumni. The future is awaiting your expertise and intellect. Come join the architects of what’s next.

Learn more about Student Employment. Please see Faculty Careers. For technical assistance, email HR Services or call 412-268-4600. We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-5072. Prospective Employee Disclosures