Senior Research Program Manager - Lead Large-Scale Projects

UCF; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Central Florida seeks a strategic leader to manage large-scale sponsored research programs within IST- EG Operations - OPS. You will coordinate multi-institution efforts, align objectives, budgets, and deliverables, and report to institute leadership and sponsors.

In this role you’ll mentor program managers, drive process improvements, and ensure compliant execution of complex awards while partnering with researchers, sponsors, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution and 8-12 years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary research, engineering, or technology programs.
• Experience developing integrated program plans, work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, milestones, and performance metrics.
• Leadership of cross-functional and multi-institution teams with coordination across sponsors and researchers.
• Proven ability to identify and mitigate risks, issues, dependencies, and changes affecting outcomes.
• Mentoring program managers and promoting consistent execution practices across programs.
• Knowledge of federal, state, industry, and sponsored-research award structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout of complex research programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, WBS, schedules, budgets, milestones, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate cross-functional and multi-institutional teams to align goals, deliverables, and timelines.
• Monitor program performance, identify risks, issues, dependencies, and changes; implement mitigations.
• Ensure sponsor reporting, deliverable reviews, and acceptance processes are timely and accurate.
• Prepare executive briefings, program updates, and strategic reports for leadership and sponsors.
• Support proposal development, project startup activities, and ongoing program administration for sponsored awards.
• Facilitate communication among researchers, sponsors, partners, and administrative units.
• Oversee budgets and resource allocations to steward sponsored funds.
• Promote standard PM practices with tools, templates, and SOPs across IST- EG Operations.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Mentoring program managers

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Central Florida seeks a strategic leader to manage large-scale sponsored research programs within IST- EG Operations - OPS. You will coordinate multi-institution efforts, align objectives, budgets, and deliverables, and report to institute leadership and sponsors.

In this role you’ll mentor program managers, drive process improvements, and ensure compliant execution of complex awards while partnering with researchers, sponsors, and