Project Manager, Peanut Innovation Lab

Ugajobsearch

Athens (GA)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 130,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The University of Georgia invites applications for a Project Manager in the Peanut Innovation Lab, managing a multi-country program with a $38.5 million award. You will lead program staff, own the workplan and timelines, and coordinate partner activities across regions.

Strong communication, travel readiness, and grant management experience are essential. Reporting to the CAES-Peanut Innovation Lab, this role is grant-funded with an initial two-year appointment, and ongoing employment depends on

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience including 3 years of supervisory experience.
Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, international development, public administration or a related field is preferred.
Experience with complex, multi-country programs and federal or international development initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develops the annual workplan and integrated timeline with the Director and partners, translating objectives into scoped activities and owners.
Tracks deliverables, reports variances, and leads corrective actions; maintains risk and change registers.
Manages program staff, sets goals, and conducts performance reviews.
Plans and facilitates international and domestic partner meetings and coordinates multi-stakeholder activities.
Oversees subawards, budgets, and sponsor reporting; ensures compliance with policies and reporting requirements.
Monitors spending, develops budget revisions, and supports continuous program improvement.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

International development

Grants management

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Project Manager, Peanut Innovation Lab

Posting Details

Posting Number S15993P

Working Title Project Manager, Peanut Innovation Lab

Department CAES-Peanut Innovation Lab

About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP

Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM. International and Domestic travel.

Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date 10/29/2026

Open until filled Yes

Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Position Information Classification

Title Project Manager

FLSA Exempt

FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, international development, public administration or a related field.
Complex project management at an international level
Experience managing federally sponsored or international development programs, including Feed the Future or comparable programs.
Experience coordinating subaward partners and multi-country teams, including work in West Africa.
Supervisory experience with professional staff.
Working knowledge of UGA sponsored-project processes and OneUSG.
Working proficiency in French.

Position Summary

The Project Manager runs day-to-day program delivery for the Peanut Innovation Lab, a five-year, $38.5 million multi-country award. The position manages the lab’s program staff and owns its workplan, timeline, deliverables and partner coordination.

This position manages the Impact Specialist and the Communications Specialist. Through them the Project Manager directs the lab’s monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment and its outreach and knowledge sharing.

The Project Manager coordinates the lab’s network of international and domestic partners, including the GINA network in Senegal and spill-over countries. This position works with the Project Administrator to keep subawards, budgets and sponsor reporting on track.

This is a grant‑funded position with an initial two‑year appointment. Continued employment is based on the needs of the project, as well as available funding and satisfactory job performance and progress.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Project and program management methods: workplans, schedules, risk and change control
Federal award terms for subawards, performance reporting and allowable costs
Facilitating meetings across cultures, languages and time zones
Clear written and spoken communication with partners, sponsors and leadership
Willingness to travel internationally extensively, including extended trips to partner countries

Physical Demands

Normal for a standard office environment

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes

Credit and P-Card policy Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre‑employment drug test for positions with high‑risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Workplan, Timeline, and Deliverables

Develops the annual workplan and integrated timeline with the Director and partners, and translates award objectives into scoped activities, milestones, and owners
Tracks deliverables against the workplan and timeline, reports variances, and leads corrective action
Maintains the program’s risk register, dependencies, and change requests
Establishes the program’s project management methods, templates, and status reporting standards

Percentage of time 25

Program Staff Management

Manages the Impact Specialist and Communications Specialist: sets annual goals, assigns and reviews work, conducts performance reviews and plans their development
Recruits, selects and onboards program staff with the Director and the Project Administrator
Sets work priorities across monitoring and evaluation, communications, and partner coordination so the three functions run as one program cycle
Resolves escalated issues within the program team

Percentage of time 20

Partner Network and Meetings

Plans, schedules and facilitates program meetings, including regional GINA meetings, partner network meetings and advisory or steering committee meetings
Serves as the day‑to‑day point of contact for international and domestic partner institutions on program delivery
Extensively travels to partner countries for on‑site management of project deliverables and to guide any troubleshooting needed at the partner country level
Coordinates multi‑stakeholder platform activities and joint events with partners
Represents the program with sponsor staff, partners and University leadership as delegated by the Director

Percentage of time 20

Subaward and Partner Performance

Defines subaward scopes of work, deliverables, and reporting schedules with partners, the Director and the Project Administrator
Monitors partner performance against agreed deliverables and confirms deliverables before payment is approved
Raises performance and compliance concerns with the Director and the business line and leads their resolution with partners

Percentage of time 15

Budget Monitoring and Sponsor Reporting

Monitors program spending against the workplan with the Project Administrator and recommends reallocations and budget revisions
Coordinates preparation of annual workplans, progress reports and other sponsor deliverables, integrating monitoring and evaluation results and communications content
Ensures program activities comply with University policy and sponsor requirements

Percentage of time 15

Other Duties