Research Project Manager

Agupdate; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 67,270 - 81,830; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh University is seeking a skilled project manager to support its growing research enterprise. The role focuses on grant management, coordination across faculty, staff, students, and external partners, and maintaining efficient project plans.

The position offers involvement with funded research and collaboration across institutional priorities, reporting, and program operations. Some partial remote work may be possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field; Master's Degree preferred.
• Five to eight years of related work experience.
• Grant management experience preferred.
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies for multi-stakeholder projects.
• Familiarity with research administration systems used in higher education settings.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and execute internally/externally funded projects with PIs and teams.
• Lead and coordinate faculty, staff, students, and partners across multiple workstreams.
• Develop and maintain project plans, processes, and tools for efficiency and progress.
• Recruit student participants through workshops and outreach.
• Manage relationships with external partner institutions and advisory boards.
• Assist PIs with reporting requirements in coordination with the Office of Research.
• Develop, manage, and track budgets and resources to align with goals.
• Monitor financial risks and recommend budget adjustments.
• Reconcile monthly One Card expenses per rules and policies.
• Develop and implement a robust communication plan for internal and external audiences and update project websites.

Skills

Grant management

Communications strategy

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

About The Opportunity

Lehigh University's research enterprise is growing, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research needs a skilled project manager to help drive it forward. If you bring deep experience in grant management, a collaborative instinct, and the organizational discipline to keep complex initiatives on track, this role puts you at the center of meaningful, funded research at one of the nation's leading research universities.

Position Number: S97050

Grade: 10-40 with an approximate salary range of $67,270-$81,830 and is subject to change based on experience, skill and qualifications.

Key Accountabilities

• Work closely with PIs and project teams to plan, organize, and execute internally/externally funded projects; continuously develop, refine, and maintain project plans, management processes, and tools to improve efficiency, communication, sustainability, and steady progress.
• Lead, integrate, and coordinate the efforts of faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators across multiple concurrent workstreams to ensure all activities align with institutional priorities and operational processes.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the grant team, administrators, faculty, and staff to optimize program operations, oversight, and continuous improvement.
• Direct and lead the recruitment of student participants through targeted workshops, academic department visits, and individual outreach meetings.
• Manage and develop strategic relationships with external partner institutions—including facilitating advisory board meetings—while leading the planning and execution of all other project meetings and events.
• Partner with the internal project evaluator to ensure accurate data collection for outcomes assessment, and assist PIs in meeting all reporting requirements in coordination with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
• Develop, manage, and track budgets and resources to ensure all spending strictly aligns with project goals, milestones, guidelines, and institutional commitments.
• Continuously monitor financial risks and proactively provide recommendations to project leadership regarding necessary budget adjustments or funding reallocations.
• Reconcile and approve monthly One Card expenses in strict accordance with university and funding agency rules, regulations, and policies.
• Develop and implement a robust communication plan to keep full internal teams informed, prepare program communications tailored for both internal and external audiences, and oversee the development and regular updating of Lehigh University project websites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field; Master's Degree preferred
• Five to eight years of related work experience
• Grant management experience preferred
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies for multi-stakeholder projects
• Familiarity with research administration systems used in higher education settings

Special Considerations

This position is funded on soft dollars and is not eligible for severance. The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Benefits

Lehigh offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits.