Project Manager, CARB SB 253 Implementation Project

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Anderson is seeking a Project Manager to oversee a high-visibility, state-funded research project. The role requires coordinating a complex set of tasks, including regulatory compliance, stakeholder outreach, and budget management, with a focus on Scope 1–3 emissions disclosures and ADA-compliant deliverables.

The position is full-time, in-person, and term-limited, reporting to the PI and collaborating with multiple UCLA units and external agencies.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management experience with complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Familiarity with corporate greenhouse gas accounting concepts including Scope 1, 2, and 3.
• Knowledge of California climate disclosure policy (SB 253, SB 261).
• Experience leading cross-functional, state-funded or government-contract programs.
• Ability to assess technical work using advanced GHG accounting and climate policy knowledge.
• Experience producing ADA-compliant documents is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication with state agencies.
• Experience supervising student researchers or junior staff.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day activities under the CARB agreement and four contract tasks.
• Track deliverable timelines and organize quarterly progress meetings.
• Assist with budget monitoring and invoicing/certifications.
• Coordinate outreach to stakeholders and liaise with UCLA and state agencies.
• Supervise student researchers and interns on operational tasks.
• Support the Technical Writer and other staff in deliverables preparation.

Skills

Project management

GHG accounting

Policy familiarity

Cross-functional coordination

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Statistical tools

Supervising students

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Excel

Project tracking tools

Stata

Tableau

Job description

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and administration of all activities under CARB Agreement No. 25ISD003, "Analysis of Corporate GHG Disclosures and Implementation Support of CA SB 253," awarded to the UCLA Center for Corporate Environmental Performance and the Center for Impact at Anderson. The project supports the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in developing and implementing the reporting requirements of California Senate Bill 253 (the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act), which requires large corporations doing business in California to publicly disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and (beginning in 2027) Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), the Project Manager coordinates the four contract tasks: (1) identification and recommendation of Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting templates; (2) certified mail outreach to approximately 5,000 covered entities, including coordination with the external print/mail vendor (e.g., Castle Press); (3) analysis of Scope 3 emissions by industry using the Environmentally Extended Input-Output (EEIO) method; and (4) preparation of an ADA-compliant public Summary Report on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions disclosures for posting to CARB's website. The Project Manager serves as the primary liaison between the UCLA research team, the CARB Contract Manager and Administrative Contact, the UCLA Office of Contract and Grant Administration (OCGA), Extramural Fund Management (EFM), and external vendors. The Project Manager tracks deliverable timelines, organizes quarterly progress meetings with CARB, monitors the project budget in coordination with the PI and EFM, supports the preparation of quarterly invoices and certifications under Section 14 of the University Terms and Conditions (UTC-220), and helps ensure compliance with all contract terms, including those in Exhibit G (Negotiated Alternate UTC Terms) governing budget flexibility, advance payments, GenAI disclosure, health and safety, and Executive Order N-6-22. The Project Manager will also coordinate stakeholder outreach and communication efforts, supervise undergraduate and graduate student researchers on operational tasks (mailings, dataset preparation, document review), and support the Postdoctoral Research Manager and Technical Writer in producing project deliverables. This is a full-time, in-person, term-limited position essential to managing the operational complexity of a high-visibility State-funded research and implementation project. The Project Manager reports to the Principal Investigator (Professor Magali Delmas), with functional coordination with Co-Investigators Deepak Rajagopal and Henry Friedman. The Project Manager works with a high degree of autonomy on day-to-day operations and is expected to complete projects without close oversight, except where policy issues or exceptional situations arise. The Project Manager supervises student researchers (graduate and undergraduate) and the MSBA Data Analytics interns engaged on the project for operational and project-coordination tasks, and coordinates the work of the Technical Writer in support of deliverables. The Project Manager also liaises regularly with UCLA Anderson staff across functions (e.g., Business Office, Dean's Office, Communications, IT, Events, Facilities, and other Centers) to secure support and coordinate activities that touch the school. The Project Manager meets regularly with the PI to provide status updates, elevate issues, and coordinate programmatic needs.

Salary & Compensation

• UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management experience administering complex, multi-stakeholder projects with defined deliverables, milestones, and budgets - preferably in a sponsored-research, government-contract, or consulting environment. (Required)
• Familiarity with corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting concepts - Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions, the GHG Protocol, and environmental disclosure frameworks (e.g., CDP, TCFD, ISSB, SB 253, SB 261). (Required)
• Familiarity with California climate disclosure policy, including the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261). (Required)
• Experience independently leading complex, cross-functional State-funded, regulatory, or sponsored-project programs; establishing workplans, coordinating resources, managing risk, resolving non-routine issues, ensuring compliance, and representing an organization with government agencies or external constituencies. (Required)
• Experience applying advanced GHG accounting, climate-disclosure, and California climate policy knowledge to assess technical work, identify gaps or compliance concerns, and recommend corrective action or escalation. (Required)
• Experience producing ADA-compliant documents and coordinating accessibility review of published deliverables. (Preferred)
• Knowledge of UCLA financial and human-resources policies and procedures. (Preferred)
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to draft professional notifications, briefing materials, meeting minutes, and correspondence with State agency contacts. (Required)
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, central administrative staff, external vendors, and State agency representatives. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work independently with minimal supervision, and complete projects on schedule under firm contract deadlines. (Required)
• Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills; ability to maintain accurate records, identify discrepancies, and drive resolution of operational issues. (Required)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (including formulas, dropdown menus, and data validation), Microsoft Word, Outlook, and project tracking tools; ability to support development and quality review of an Excel-based reporting tool. (Required)
• Experience supervising or coordinating the work of student employees, interns, or junior staff, including work assignment, training, and review. (Required)
• Understanding of, or ability to quickly learn, data confidentiality and security expectations applicable to State-funded research projects. (Required)
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends in support of deliverable deadlines. (Required)
• Familiarity with statistical or data-visualization tools (e.g., Stata, Tableau). (Required)

Education, Licences, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public policy, environmental science, sustainability, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (minimum requirement). (Required)
• Advanced degree (Master's) in business administration, public policy, environmental policy, sustainability, or a related field. (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
• This is a full-time, in-person position based at UCLA Anderson; remote work is not available. Position is funded through CARB Agreement No. 25ISD003 and is term-limited through 06/30/2027; continuation beyond the contract end date is contingent on extension or successor funding. (Required)

Schedule

Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

RP-Research and Public Service PR

Complete Position Description

https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Project%20Management%20Professional%203%20RP%20(TBD_941518)