Project Manager

The Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 56,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University’s Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society is seeking a Project Manager to drive the Center’s growth across federal programs, events, and educator development.

You will develop and maintain workplans, coordinate schedules, and document decisions with cross‑functional teams, vendors, and partners. This two‑year, fixed‑term role requires at least a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience; travel 4–5 times yearly and regular in-person attendance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of relevant project management experience.
• Willingness to travel overnight 4–5 times per year.
• Regular in-person attendance is expected.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project workplans, timelines, and task lists; track deliverables and schedules.
• Schedule and support project team meetings; prepare agendas and follow up actions.
• Identify challenges and elevate concerns to project leadership.
• Maintain organized project files to document compliance and records.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization

Time management

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

PMP Certificate

Job description

Job Title: Project Manager Department: Academic Affairs Administration | Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society

The Ohio State University’s motto, Disciplina in Civitatem, or “education for citizenship,” is not merely a slogan; it is an exhortation to remain focused on the responsibility to develop an informed, engaged, and civic‑minded citizenry. It is essential to fulfilling Ohio State’s land‑grant mission.

The State of Ohio established the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State ("the Chase Center" or “Center”). The Chase Center is a multidisciplinary university center that conducts teaching, research, and public programming concerning the core texts and great debates of Western civilization; the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio political order; and the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship. It is an independent academic unit of the University. The Center is a leader of the growing cadre of similar schools of civic thought in Ohio and throughout the country.

In just its second year of operation, the Chase Center has quickly established itself as a dynamic academic community with world‑class faculty. Building on this strong momentum, in the upcoming year the Center will launch its first major (to accompany its minor), develop three new degree programs, and further expand its extensive course offerings. It will also deepen its outreach by continuing to deliver a robust suite of public events, professional development for K‑12 educators, and study abroad opportunities for both students and faculty. Backed by a growing Chase Society student community and generous public and private funding, the Center is on pace for full maturity over the next three years.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society is conducting a search for a Project Manager. The Project Manager will enable the Center’s continued growth as the flourishing academic community envisioned in ORC § 3335.39. The Project Manager, as with all members of the Center, should embrace the Center’s mission.

The Project Manager will be the driving force behind the execution of several significant workstreams at the Chase Center, including the execution of a federally funded teacher professional development program, a series of events hosted by the Center, and a recruitment activities calendar.

Project Management

• Develop and maintain project workplans, timelines, task lists, calendars, and other project management tools; track deliverables, deadlines, dependencies, and follow‑up items. Track project performance measures, participation targets, milestones, and deliverables and identify scheduling, logistical, or administrative issues requiring attention from project leadership.
• Schedule and support project team meetings, prepare agendas and materials, document decisions and action items, and follow up with responsible team members.
• Identify routine implementation challenges, recommend practical solutions, and elevate significant programmatic, financial, compliance, or scheduling concerns to project leadership.
• Maintain organized project files and records necessary to document compliance with federal award requirements and university policies, including participant, financial, contractual, and programmatic records.

Event Management

• Support participant recruitment, application, selection, registration, and communications processes; maintain accurate participant records and respond to routine participant questions.
• Serve as a primary administrative point of contact for participating educators, project partners, vendors, and other stakeholders regarding schedules, logistics, required documentation, and project activities. Facilitate communication and coordination among faculty, Center staff, university offices, school and district partners, cultural and historical institutions, consultants, and other project collaborators.
• Collaborates with Center and university administrative staff to: a) plan and arrange logistics for teacher institutes, workshops, seminars, meetings, and other grant‑funded activities, including facilities, travel, lodging, transportation, catering, materials, and technology needs, and b) monitor contracting, purchasing, reimbursements, honoraria, participant stipends, and other project expenditures.
• Assist with preparation and submission of required progress reports, performance reports, internal updates, and other grant documentation by gathering information from project personnel and maintaining records of accomplishments and deliverables.
• Coordinate with project evaluators and program staff to support administration of surveys, assessments, attendance tracking, and other data‑collection activities; help maintain complete and accurate evaluation records.
• Support development, organization, and distribution of instructional materials, participant resources, online content, and other project deliverables.
• Assist with planning and implementation of dissemination activities, including project websites, resource repositories, newsletters, presentations, and communications with participants and partners.
• Perform other project coordination and administrative duties as needed to support successful execution of the Center’s externally funded teacher professional development portfolio.

Operations Support

• Collaborate with Center operations team to a) develop and pilot processes to execute the Center’s rapidly expanding portfolio of activities and b) develop and pilot data, contact, fiscal, project management, and other tools to streamline information storage, access, and cross‑team communication

Some in‑state overnight travel may be required 4‑5 times a year to support Center‑sponsored events outside of Columbus.

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrated commitment to the Chase Center’s mission of citizenship education.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

2 years of relevant experience.

Demonstrated poise, professionalism, good judgment, and ability to take the extra step to meet customer needs.

Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

Excellent written communication skills demonstrated with thoughtful, timely responsiveness

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to work quickly in a fast‑paced, changing environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Willingness to travel overnight 4‑5 per year.

Regular in‑person attendance is expected.

Desired Qualifications:

2-4 years of relevant experience.

PMP Certificate

Familiarity with university policies and procedures.

Additional Information:

This is a two‑year position, supported by grant funds. Extension is contingent on funding and performance.

The target hiring range for this job profile is $55,700-72,000 annually. The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.

Function: Business Planning and Operations

Subfunction: Business Operations

Band: Specialized

Level: 2

Location: Smith Laboratory (0065)

Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.