Strategic Research Programs Leader

University of Central Florida - College of Medicine; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) within the University of Central Florida leads large-scale, multidisciplinary research programs. This role provides strategic and operational direction, coordinating researchers, sponsors, and partners to meet objectives, budgets, and schedules.

Expected to develop integrated plans, manage risks, and deliver executive briefings. The position involves collaboration across multiple units and supports proposal development and program administration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 8-12 years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary research, engineering, or technology programs.
• Experience with 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.

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, identify and mitigate risks, issues, dependencies, and changes that may impact outcomes.
• Ensure timely 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 among researchers, sponsors, partners, and administrative units.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Budget management

Cross-functional teams

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Job description

Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) within the University of Central Florida leads large-scale, multidisciplinary research programs. This role provides strategic and operational direction, coordinating researchers, sponsors, and partners to meet objectives, budgets, and schedules.

Expected to develop integrated plans, manage risks, and deliver executive briefings. The position involves collaboration across multiple units and supports proposal development and program administration.