Project Manager II

Arbor Research; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 128,500; Full time

Job summary

Arbor Research in the United States is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to lead complex research projects with cross-functional teams. You will create and monitor work plans, estimate resources, and manage budgets across diverse contracts and funding sources.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and experience guiding large teams toward shared goals. You will report to the PMO and collaborate with investigators to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years managing projects with multiple areas
• Experience managing large teams toward complex goals
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Health services or public health research background

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain project work plans with resource estimates and monitor milestones/budgets.
• Create generalized cost estimates and work with proposal staff after award.
• Negotiate resources with managers and project directors for timely execution.
• Collaborate with project staff to ensure plan understanding and progress.
• Prepare project-related products: analyses, reports, presentations, graphics, tables.
• Provide monthly progress and budget reports to stakeholders and funders.
• Assist Contracts Manager with contracts including scope of work and budget.
• Contribute to program area strategic discussions and PMO standards.
• Serve as proposal Project Manager during the proposal phase.
• Provide mentorship to Project Coordinators and Project Associates.

Skills

PMP certification

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Microsoft Office

Budget management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field (public health, quantitative social science, or management)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and maintain project work plans and task-based resource estimates. Monitor milestone accomplishment and budget/resource use. Review and re-estimate work plans and project resources based on contingencies, changing priorities, and budget-to-actual comparison regularly, updating the organizational forecast at least quarterly.
• Create generalized project cost estimates based on work plans, loaded average labor rates, and other direct costs. Upon contract award, work with proposal development staff to finalize estimates. Manage expenditures consistent with project and organizational fiscal year budgets.
• Negotiate resources for execution of the work plan with functional managers, Project Directors/Principal Investigators, and Program Directors; ensuring a clear understanding of project objectives and timelines.
• Work directly with assigned project staff (of all functions) to ensure appropriate work plan understanding and progress.
• Ensure the preparation of all project-related products and tasks, including programming tasks, analyses, research reports, progress reports, presentations, graphics, and tables; assist Project Directors/Principal Investigators in being accountable for the quality of these products.
• Be proactively aware of issues affecting assigned projects.
• Serve as the day-to-day liaison to client or funding agency’s scientific or program leadership (e.g., project officers, program officers). Provide customers (including Project Director/Principal Investigator, Program Director, and funder) with required project progress and budget reports, as appropriate or required for each audience. Provide up to date reporting on financial and operational performance of projects on a monthly basis.
• Assist the Senior Contracts Manager with contracts, including scope of work, budget, etc.
• Contribute to program area strategic discussions and initiatives.
• Work with the Project Management Office (PMO) leadership to contribute to and support the development of project management standards, including tools, processes, and best practices.
• Serve as proposal Project Manager and conduct the above activities during the proposal phase, as needed. Work closely with the proposal team to ensure all necessary requirements are met for the proposal submission.
• Provide mentorship to Project Coordinator(s) and Project Associate(s).
• Serve as Project Manager for a variety of projects, including different contract types, funding sources, scientific content, and across programs.

Core Values

Our core values define who we are as an organization and serve as the foundation of our code of ethics. Arbor Research expects all employees to embody these and demonstrate them in our day-to-day work.

• Collaborative Spirit

We expect each staff member to learn from and teach one another, and ask each to exhibit a curiosity and respect for the contributions of others.

• Creativity

We strive to cultivate a challenging, stimulating, and supportive environment where our employees are expected to be inquisitive, take initiative, and demonstrate ingenuity.

• Credibility

Our employees are smart, thoughtful, and objective in their work. We expect them to be technically solid in their area of expertise, and for those conducting research to demonstrate scientific rigor.

• Dedication

Our team achieves success because of our dedication to carrying out high quality work and delivering trusted results.

Supervision Received

General administrative supervision is received from the Project Management Office Manager. Close collaboration is expected with the Vice President of Operations, project investigators and project staff.

Supervision Exercised

Direct reports may include Project Associates (levels I, II, and Senior) and Project Coordinators.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (public health, quantitative social science, or management) with eight (8) years progressively more responsible experience managing projects, including at least two years managing at least four of the following areas: timelines, budgets, risks, communications, deliverables, and required reporting
• PMP certification or equivalent
• Experience in the direct and indirect management of large teams of people working toward complex goals
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills
• Demonstrated strong verbal/written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Health services or public health research background

Desirable Qualifications

• Non-profit experience
• Experience managing government grants and contracts for research
• An understanding of biostatistical, technical programming, and clinical issues related to health care research in general
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficiency with project management software
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)

Annual Salary Range (US National Average)

$80,000 – $128,500

Base Compensation Determination

Base Compensation is determined by market range and geographic location pay zones. Base Compensation also includes various individual factors unique to each candidate such as job level, prior experience, skill set, certification and educational which may impact the compensation structure.

This position is classified as [exempt/non-exempt] according to FLSA guidelines