Research Program Manager

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University is seeking an experienced Research Program Manager to support a DoD funded project and the Defense Industrial Base Institute's mission in the metro-Boston area and nationally.

The role manages two portfolios, coordinates with prime partners, tracks schedules, performance and risk, and oversees graduate and undergraduate researchers supporting the projects. Strong DoD program knowledge and PMP-style experience are valued.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship is a requirement per Federal funding agency.
• PMP certification or relevant project management experience (5+ years).
• Bachelor’s degree; graduate degree preferred.
• Solid knowledge of DoD program and contract management.
• Strong background in supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, or related technical areas.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail oriented; able to learn new programs and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide program and portfolio management for multiple institute portfolios; track milestones, deliverables, effort and timelines.
• Plan meetings, manage logistics, and coordinate with prime sponsors and NU stakeholders.
• Assist with proposals, budgets and contract submissions; support outreach to NU faculty.
• Draft technical narratives, briefs and reviews for external funding opportunities and compliance.

Skills

PMP certification

DoD program management

Supply chain knowledge

Organizational skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Travel readiness

Technical aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree

Job description

About the Opportunity This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

JOB SUMMARY

The Defense Industrial Base Institute seeks an experienced Research Program Manager to support a new DoD funded project as well as its overall institute mission in the metro‑Boston area and nationally. The Research Program Manager, a DoD sponsored research position, is a Boston or Washington DC based position responsible for research program and project management spanning two recently awarded portfolios. Reporting to the Associate Director of Research, the position is responsible for project management of DoD funded initiatives, to include tracking schedule, performance, and risk; coordinating with prime on logistics of stakeholder meetings, overall research background as part of the program execution. The position will coordinate closely with other program managers and key prime stakeholders tied to the project to ensure execution of deliverables and will have oversight of graduate and undergraduate students supporting those projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• US Citizenship is a requirement per Federal funding agency
• PMP certification or relevant project management practical work experience can meet this requirement (5+ years)
• Bachelor’s degree with applicable work experience; graduate degree preferred.
• Solid Knowledge of DoD program and contract management
• Strong background in Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, or other related technical specialty areas.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to organize and manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated judgment for prioritization of multiple tasks.
• Excellent communication skills with a customer (internal and external) service focus.
• Highly organized and detail oriented; and ability to problem solve effectively.
• Strong computer and IT knowledge and skills, especially in MS Office suite products, and ability to learn new programs/systems with ease, Ability to travel as required for initiative events or stakeholder research collaboration meetings across the nation

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Research Program & Portfolio Oversight and Support: Provides program and portfolio management for multiple institute complex program portfolios. Create systems, organize, and manage program milestones, deliverables, effort, and timelines for all active research. Conduct in depth analysis on projects and manage schedules, and performance and provide reports to Director of Research to ensure proper project execution. Plans and manages schedules and monitors programs from initiation to closeout. Assist with proposals, budgets, and other information gathering for contract submissions of new research development efforts. Collaborate, coordinate, and provide guidance to technical research staff, senior leadership, and other departments within DIBI and NU as it relates to program execution. Interact and coordinate with contracting officials, program managers, technical representatives, and other government personnel and sponsors on assigned research efforts. Collect data and information in response to NU-RES inquiries and requests over the research and related to compliance Provide support to Director of Research and other tasks as assigned. Travel as required to support program and project activities.
• Meetings, Workshop, and Seminars: Plan, schedule, and conduct research meetings & research discovery/working groups to include kick‑off, quarterly meetings, technical seminars, and other ad hoc research meetings. Working alongside event manager, Coordinate and arrange for all logistics and site support needs for public outreach events Maintain attendee lists, confirming in‑person or remote engagement, and collect all background research, research presentation materials in an appropriate way for the distribution constraints while coordinating with the Events Manager. Travel as needed to support presentations or public outreach in support of the institute and its DoD portfolio of activities.
• Manuscript, publication, briefing writing: Working alongside faculty, staff and other researchers, help to outline manuscript, publication, briefing, snapshots or other similar deliverables for funder Directly supporting the development of technical narratives, scope and resource planning, and other supporting documents required for external funding opportunities that align with the institute’s mission priorities. Supporting project research teams by identifying and supporting outreach to Northeastern faculty who can potentially collaborate on the Institute’s research agenda. Requirement: US Citizenship is a requirement per Federal funding agency

Additional Information: This is a fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal based off of continuing external funding.

Position Type Research

Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation.

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 111S Expected Hiring Range: $87,785.00 - $123,998.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly‑situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real‑world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.