Research Program Manager - NC Collaboratory

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a Research Program Manager for the NC Collaboratory to coordinate social science research programs, monitor budgets, timelines, and deliverables, and liaise with administrators, contractors, and stakeholders.

You will support developing research plans, manage milestones, prepare policy-friendly reports and communications, and help advance partnerships with government, nonprofits, and academic teams across North Carolina.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field required.
• Experience analyzing complex information for policymakers.
• Experience preparing professional written products.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with grant management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project activities within defined scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
• Develop plans, manage communication, and serve as contact for administrators and stakeholders.
• Assist with establishing milestones and tracking performance.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communication materials for progress.
• Support grant management activities including scheduling and budgeting.
• Collaborate with leadership to review proposals for partnership studies.

Skills

Policy analysis

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Research coordination

Education

Master's degree in public policy / related field

Tools

Grant management software

Job description

Position Title

Research Program Manager - NC Collaboratory

Department and Career Area

Department: NC Collaboratory-221010

Career Area: Research Professionals

Position Details

Position Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title: Research Program Manager - NC Collaboratory

Appointment Type: EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number: 20079380

Vacancy ID: NF0010184

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time Permanent

FTE: 1

Hours per week: 40

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: Dependent on experience and qualifications

Proposed Start Date: 12/14/2026

Application Deadline: 11/30/2026

Posting Open Date: 11/06/2026

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world‑class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC‑Chapel Hill offers full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Position Summary

A SIGN‑ON BONUS IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE: WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

This position supports the NC Collaboratory’s social science research portfolio by monitoring and coordinating project activities within a defined scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables. The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team to develop plans, manage communication while serving as a point of contact for administrators, contractors, stakeholders, and external audiences.

The NC Collaboratory develops research initiatives that target a pressing policy issue or problem of practice faced by policymakers and practitioners at the State and local level in North Carolina, and awards funding to support mutually beneficial partnerships between academic research teams and partners in local governments, community organizations and State agencies. The Social Sciences team currently manages studies on a wide range of topics in the social sciences, including K‑12 education, opioid remediation, foster care, mental health and criminal justice, economic development, and local government issues. All of these studies aim to generate practical research findings that could help advance policy and practice related to these issues. Due to the dynamic nature of Collaboratory’s research portfolio, future research project topics may expand to new areas within social sciences.

The position will assist the Collaboratory Research Director in supporting, coordinating, and managing new, complex research programs involving extensive government and community engagement, as well as strong public interest.

The Research Program Manager will support the Social Sciences team by working with research teams to establish milestones, manage project scopes, and track performance to ensure milestones are met and documented. This position will aid in developing communication materials, organizing meetings to share insights and address issues, and implementing best practices for research‑practice partnerships.

In collaboration with the Social Sciences team and leadership teams from partner entities, the Research Program Manager will help develop research plans and review proposals for new partnership‑based studies. Other duties include grant management activities for these research studies, including scheduling and leading meetings, tracking activities and progress, identifying and troubleshooting problems, overseeing budgets, expenditures, timelines and deliverables. The Research Program Manager identifies and obtains resources such as meeting venues and supplies, developing reports, presentations and other communication materials to share progress and achievements to stakeholders.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Relevant post‑Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Master’s degree in the in a related field of study (e.g., MPP, MPA, MPH, JD, MA) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, synthesize research findings, and develop clear, evidence‑informed recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Experience preparing professional written products, such as policy briefs, research reports, legislative or program analyses, evaluation reports, executive summaries, presentations, or other decision‑support materials.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical or academic information for nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, organize competing priorities, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience translating academic research findings into concise, accessible public communication, such as policy briefs.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to accuracy, objectivity, and ethical research practices.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Experience conducting policy research, program evaluation, social science research, or applied quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.
• Project, grant, or program management experience within a public institution (e.g., State agency) or community organization. Proven ability to support research‑practice partnerships.
• Experience with research design, data collection, data interpretation, and methods appropriate to social science or public policy research.
• Experience working in or with a state/local government agency, legislative office, public university, nonprofit organization, research center, or other public‑sector policy environment.
• Experience analyzing North Carolina state policies, programs, budgets, administrative data, or legislative priorities. Knowledge of social policy issues relevant to North Carolina, especially K‑12 education, health care and mental health, child welfare, or criminal justice.
• Experience with program evaluation, implementation research, outcomes measurement, performance management, or evidence‑based policymaking.
• Experience conducting or interpreting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, document analysis, stakeholder engagement, or thematic analysis.
• Experience managing or supporting grant‑funded research or policy projects, including proposal development, budgeting, compliance monitoring, reporting, deliverable tracking, and coordination with funders and project partners.
• The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, conscientious, a responsible steward of taxpayer‑funded dollars, eager to work with multiple cross‑sector teams, and has experience with navigating challenging conversations and mediating conflict between team members and partners from different sectors.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

Eligibility for Sign‑on Bonus

The selected candidate for this position may be eligible for a sign‑on bonus. Qualified applicants must apply and be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements:

• To be eligible for a Sign‑on bonus, an individual must not have worked in a probationary, permanent, or time‑limited appointment in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including but not limited to the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system in a position subject to the State Human Resources Act.

A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part‑time (more than 20 hours a week) employee are eligible for a sign‑on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working more than 20 hours and less than 40 hours per week).

This Sign‑on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. All recipients must sign the Pay Back Agreement form. Additional information regarding the Sign‑on Policy can be found at https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy-1/open.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/328334

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title: Alekya Padmanabhuni, HR Specialist

Department Contact Telephone or Email: [e-mail]

Office of Human Resources Contact Information: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.