Senior Project Manager, CDC Arthritis #000494

University of North Carolina Asheville; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health insurance

Retirement plan with employer oratic?

Optional disability plans

Tuition waivers for up to three course

Group exercise classes

Free campus recreation center access

Vaccine shots on campus

Pre-tax flexible spending accounts

12 paid holidays

24 hours of paid community service

Paid parental leave

Job summary

UNC Asheville invites applications for a Senior Project Manager to lead the CDC Arthritis Program statewide, coordinating activities to expand evidence-based interventions and link healthcare with community programs.

The role focuses on timely delivery, budget compliance, and strong stakeholder partnerships across public health, healthcare, and communities in North Carolina.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health or a closely related field.
• Two years of experience in project management or related field.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects or partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management/data software.
• Ability to travel throughout North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the NC CDC Arthritis Program.
• Oversee implementation of CDC funding strategies: AAEBIs expansion.
• Advance physical activity assessment, counseling, and referrals via Exercise is Medicine (EIM).
• Ensure goals are met on time, within budget, and CDC compliant.
• Foster partnerships across healthcare, public health, and community organizations.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication

Travel tolerance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management software

Job description

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and a welcoming campus community.

In addition to award-winning faculty, UNCA has also ranked high in Research.com, US News & World Report and the Princeton Review in 2025.

Research.com - #8 in Best Colleges, #11 Most Affordable Colleges in NC, #16 Best Value Colleges in NC

US News & World Report - #9 in Top Public Schools

Princeton Reviews - #7 in Top 50 Guide to Green Schools

Employees of UNCA are provided with a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employees may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are group exercise classes, and free access to the campus recreation center for full time employees, vaccine shots are also offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

Position Summary

The Senior Project Manager, CDC Arthritis Program provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of a statewide initiative funded through a five-year (2023‑2028) cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program works to reduce the burden of arthritis in North Carolina by expanding access to evidence-based arthritis interventions, promoting physical activity, and strengthening connections between healthcare systems and community-based programs. Particular emphasis is placed on improving health outcomes for populations disproportionately affected by arthritis, including older adults, rural communities, and individuals living with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The Senior Project Manager serves as the primary operational lead for all aspects of the CDC Arthritis Program, overseeing implementation of both CDC funding strategies: (1) expanding the sustainable and equitable delivery of Arthritis-Appropriate Evidence-Based Interventions (AAEBIs), and (2) increasing physical activity assessment, counseling, and referrals to community-based arthritis programs through the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) model. This position is responsible for ensuring that project goals are achieved on time, within budget, and in compliance with CDC requirements while fostering strong partnerships across healthcare, public health, and community organizations throughout North Carolina.

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Sciences, Exercise Science, Nursing, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in project management, program coordination, public health, healthcare, community engagement, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects, priorities, or partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines and work independently.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and other project management or data management software.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to travel throughout North Carolina, including occasional overnight travel.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills

• Master's degree in Public Health, Gerontology, Health Promotion, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience managing or supporting grant-funded programs.
• Experience working in public health, healthcare, healthy aging, chronic disease prevention, or community-based health promotion.
• Experience developing partnerships with healthcare systems, community organizations, or government agencies.
• Experience with program evaluation, data collection, or performance monitoring.
• Familiarity with evidence-based health promotion programs, clinical-community linkages, or Exercise is Medicine principles.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong project management and organizational leadership skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strategic planning and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret evaluation data and use findings for continuous quality improvement.
• Strong relationship-building and partnership development skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining attention to detail.

Additional Information

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

For questions and additional information, please contact the Search Chair, Lyndi Hewitt at [e-mail]

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contributions (defined contribution or defined benefit)
• Optional disability plans
• Tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year
• Group exercise classes
• Free access to campus recreation center for full-time employees
• Vaccine shots offered on campus
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• 12 paid holidays
• 24 hours of paid community service leave each year
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service

Salary

Recruitment Range: $65,000-$70,000

Work Schedule

Typical work week is Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; occasional night and weekend work may be needed to meet the needs of the grant deliverables.

Employment Type

Full-Time

Contract Duration

12 Months

Employment Status

Exempt

Location

North Carolina

E-Verify

UNC Asheville uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.