Senior Research Program Manager (TEMP)

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:

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) is the University of Central Florida's applied research institute, bringing together expertise from across UCF to solve complex, real-world challenges. Through multidisciplinary collaboration among faculty, researchers, students, and industry and government partners, PRI helps move innovative ideas from research and prototyping to real-world validation and deployment. Its work spans space technologies, health and human performance, energy and sustainability, immersive experiences, and transformative technologies and national security, creating a dynamic environment where research, innovation, and operational impact intersect.

The Opportunity:

The position provides strategic and operational leadership for large-scale research programs and initiatives within the institute. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing complex sponsored research activities, ensuring successful execution of program objectives, contractual requirements, budgets, schedules, and deliverables. The incumbent serves as a key liaison among principal investigators, research staff, institutional leadership, sponsors, and external partners, supporting the institute's research mission through effective program management, stakeholder engagement, and continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout of complex research programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, milestones, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional and multi-institutional teams to ensure alignment of program goals, deliverables, and timelines.
• Monitor program performance and progress, proactively identifying and mitigating risks, issues, dependencies, and changes that may impact project outcomes.
• Ensure timely and accurate sponsor reporting and facilitate deliverable reviews and acceptance processes.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, program updates, and strategic reports for institute leadership and external stakeholders.
• Support proposal development, project startup activities, and ongoing program administration for sponsored research awards.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers, sponsors, partners, and administrative units.
• Oversee program budgets and resource allocations to ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funds.
• Promote consistent project and program management practices across the institute, including the development of tools, templates, and standard operating procedures.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree from an accredited institution with 8-12 years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary research, engineering, or technology programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Integrated program plans, work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, and milestones.
• Sponsor reporting, deliverable acceptance, and executive briefings.
• Leadership of cross-functional and multi-institution teams.
• Risk, issue, dependency, and change management.
• Mentoring program managers and promoting consistent execution practices.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, industry, and sponsored-research award structures.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) - EG Operations - OPS

Hours of Work

Full time

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hourly Rate

Negotiable

Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.