Project Manager Lead

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 126,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement savings options

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a seasoned project/program manager to coordinate multiple related projects within the CSB - Ctr for Syn Bio. You will monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance, and liaise with stakeholders to ensure program success.

The role is a one-year term with potential renewal based on performance and funding. Strong leadership and organizational skills are required to drive schedules, budgets, and deliverables across multiple teams.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree or higher or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 6 years managing IT and related infrastructure projects or equivalent experience.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credential preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to align projects with priorities.
• Provide consultation to prospective customers and resource planning.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, reports, and charters.
• Lead program status updates and manage document repositories.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Ph.D. preferred

Job description

Department: CSB - Ctr for Syn Bio

Salary/Grade: ITS/83

Job Summary

Responsible for the coordinated management of multiple related projects, and in many cases, ongoing operations, which are directed toward a common objective. Works with constituent Project Managers to monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance of component projects and operations, while working to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Determines and coordinates the sharing of resources among constituent projects to other overall benefit of the program. Partners with stakeholder management to ensure project success.

This is a one-year term position with an opportunity for renewal based on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to ensure projects and programs are executed in accordance with area's priorities and mission.


• Provide consultation to prospective customers.


• Coordinate with functional managers for resource planning.

Administration

• Oversees development and maintenance of project documentation.


• Oversees management of resources and project progress; generates reports, requirement specifications, contracts, schedules, communication, records, meeting agendas, minutes and status reports.


• Create and maintains appropriate level of rapport with stakeholders

Development

• Maintains overall program or project repositories for lessons learned, templates, and project archives.


• Develops high-level reports.


• Develops SOWs, project charters, and project plans.

Performance

• Provides leadership regarding program or project status updates.


• Manages document repositories.

Supervises

• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.


• Recommends staff hires/terminations.


• Coaches and mentors staff.


• Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.


• 6 years managing Information Technology (IT) and related virtual and physical infrastructure projects or other relevant experience required.

Certification/Licensure

PMP

Minimum Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve project management and technology development procedures and processes based on industry-standard best practices, efficient operations and successful delivery of project objectives on time and within budget.


• Strong working knowledge of experimental workflows (e.g., protein engineering, molecular biology, automation platforms, cell-free systems)


• Proven ability to bridge technical teams and contribute meaningfully to troubleshooting and system design


• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex goals into structured, actionable execution plans


• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, chemical biology, molecular biology, or related technical field


• 3 to 5+ years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary scientific or engineering programs


• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent advanced project management credential


• 1+ years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary scientific or engineering programs


• Demonstrated experience in lab automation, cell-free protein synthesis and characterization, biotechnology, synthetic biology, or related environments


• Experience managing program budgets, coordinating cross-functional teams, and overseeing data-driven initiatives.

Preferred Competencies

• Experience working with machine learning models for biological systems and large experimental datasets

Target Hiring Range

Target hiring range for this position will be between $126,000-$140,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include

• health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance


• paid vacation and holidays


• paid medical/sick and parental leave


• tuition benefits for the employee and dependents


• pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care


• generous retirement savings options


• wellness programs

For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

#LI-EN1