Research Portfolio Manager: UT Space Institute
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Job summary
University of Tennessee, Knoxville's UTSI Huntsville Office seeks a Research Portfolio Manager to develop sponsored opportunities in the Huntsville region, linking UT researchers with federal and industry partners, and coordinating cross-disciplinary teams.
The role manages sponsor relationships, presents capabilities, monitors portfolios, and guides large projects from concept to milestone achievement, while representing UT at regional events and meetings.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent experience considered.
- Three years of experience in business and opportunity development for science/tech research.
- Ability to manage a portfolio of projects and meet milestones.
- Strong verbal and written communication with faculty.
- Independent judgment across broad technical areas.
- Knowledge of DoD-oriented research culture and defense enterprise.
- Willingness to obtain DoD security clearance.
Responsibilities
- Develop Huntsville-focused business development with federal agencies and corporations.
- Present UT capabilities to sponsors and partners.
- Connect investigators with customers via meetings, workshops, and proposals.
- Prepare marketing materials and contracts input as needed.
- Monitor project portfolios and coordinate sponsor expectations.
- Support Huntsville Office outreach at regional events.
- Promote multidisciplinary teams for large-scale projects.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Research Portfolio Manager develops sponsored research opportunities with an emphasis on the Huntsville region and connects University of Tennessee researchers with federal and industry partners. The position maintains sponsor relationships, presents University capabilities, builds multidisciplinary teams, monitors active project portfolios, and facilitates communication between research performers and sponsors. The manager works independently across broad technical areas and represents the University at meetings, workshops, conferences, and regional events.
- Establish, develop, and sustain relationships with federal agencies and corporations in Huntsville, including program managers, advisory panels, chief technology officers, and other key contacts.
- Develop a thorough understanding of the research priorities and workforce needs of potential sponsors and partners in the Huntsville region.
- Prepare and present University research capabilities to potential sponsors and partners.
- Connect University investigators with potential customers through meetings, conference calls, workshops, presentations, demonstrations, collaborations, and proposer-day participation.
- Provide input for marketing materials, research agreements, and contract agreements as needed.
- Maintain a current inventory of prospects and projects.
- Develop and implement strategies that engage University expertise to address aerospace and defense challenges faced by Huntsville federal agencies and companies.
- Promote multidisciplinary, multi-investigator teams that can compete for large-scale projects, research centers, and training-program opportunities.
- Monitor project requirements and facilitate communication between University research teams and sponsoring organizations to support achievement of performance milestones.
- Meet routinely with sponsors to coordinate project progress with external collaborators and keep work within sponsor-defined parameters.
- When a project is not on track, work with the project team to develop a recovery plan, explain the plan, and obtain sponsor approval.
- Advise investigators regarding sponsor interactions and expectations.
- Contribute Huntsville market expertise and local sponsor perspectives to reports and presentations.
- Track and advise on resource allocation in collaboration with business managers, faculty, and staff to maximize use of University research capabilities.
- Organize and participate in meetings between University researchers and potential sponsors.
- Attend and participate in agency-sponsored meetings and conferences.
- Develop and organize technical workshops.
- Support Huntsville Office participation in regional industry and government events, including trade shows and conferences with exhibit areas.
- Represent the University at community and regional events, including luncheons, industry days, networking events, and other activities connected to the University research mission.
- Bachelor’s degree. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered where permitted by University policy.
- Three years of experience related to business and opportunity development for science- or technology-based research projects, including demonstrated project-management experience.
- Strong ability to manage and monitor requirements and progress across a portfolio of projects.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate collegially and knowledgeably with faculty.
- Ability to apply independent judgment and work across broad and diverse technical subject areas.
- Outstanding planning, problem-solving, analytical, organizational, project-management, and customer-service skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet external deadlines.
- Ability to work independently while coordinating and prioritizing multiple tasks.
- Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, database programs, internet research, and website development.
- Knowledge of Department of Defense-oriented research culture and the national defense enterprise.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
- Master’s degree in a STEM discipline or closely related field.
- Five years of experience in business development or a comparable function within an organization focused on foundational research or technology maturation with strong ties to aerospace or defense.
- Demonstrated project-management experience related to technology maturation or research and development.
- Experience in a technology-maturation or research role within a federal government organization or an institution supporting the federal government.
- Background in defense programs as a military member or government employee.
- Ability to obtain a Department of Defense or Department of Energy security clearance.
- Knowledge of Uniform Guidance.
- Location: UTSI Huntsville Office, Huntsville, Alabama
- Work arrangement: Onsite
- Schedule: First shift, with occasional evening and weekend work and occasional overnight travel
- Successful applicants must be able to work in an environment conforming to International Traffic in Arms Regulations requirements, obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance, and access federal military installations.
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the required background screening, Covered Programs check, and security clearance check.
- UT market range: MR13
- Anticipated hiring range: $80,000 - $110,000
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
The UTSI Huntsville Office connects University of Tennessee faculty, researchers, and capabilities with federal agencies, industry partners, and regional stakeholders in one of the nation’s leading aerospace and defense communities. The office supports sponsored research growth, partnership development, workforce initiatives, technology maturation, and engagement across the University and the Huntsville region.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
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