Tech Grove Project Manager

Wucf Tv; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Florida Tech Grove, housed within UCF, seeks an Administrative Project Manager I to lead high-impact, multi-stakeholder projects across government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurs. This role requires managing scope, budgets, schedules and communications to deliver mission-driven solutions with national significance.

The role involves coordinating cross-functional teams, monitoring costs, and ensuring alignment with defined objectives, while working under a contract and grant funded

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Responsibilities

• Identify and define key stakeholders internal and external, as assigned by Tech Grove Management.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication channels with all parties.
• Address and respond to stakeholder needs and concerns to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to help maintain project scope to meet objectives.
• Maintain project costs and provide financial updates and projections as required.
• Create and manage a detailed project schedule with milestones and deadlines.
• Oversee project team and vendors, ensuring they meet deliverables.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Scheduling

CRM tools

AI productivity tools

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Canva

ChatGPT

Claude

Job description

Central Florida Tech Grove

Central Florida Tech Grove is a nationally recognized hub for defense innovation, connecting the Department of War with industry, academia, and entrepreneurs. Located within Orlando’s world-class modeling and simulation ecosystem, Tech Grove accelerates technology transition through collaboration, challenge-based programs, and startup engagement. It serves as both a physical space and virtual platform for solving mission‑critical defense challenges. Tech Grove plays a key role in expanding the defense industrial base and driving applied research with real‑world impact. UCF’s leadership of Tech Grove helps advance national security, innovation, and regional economic growth. For more information, visit the Central Florida Tech Grove website.

The Opportunity

Join the team behind one of the nation’s premier defense innovation hubs. As a Project Manager with Central Florida Tech Grove, you’ll lead high‑impact projects that bring together government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurs to solve real‑world challenges, accelerate emerging technologies, and strengthen national security. This is a unique opportunity to help transform innovative ideas into mission‑driven solutions with national significance.

Administrative Project Manager I

Responsibilities

• Project Stakeholder Engagement Identify and define key stakeholders - internal (UCF and Tech Grove) and external (government, industry, other universities, and non‑profits), as assigned by Tech Grove Management.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication channels with all parties.
• Address and respond to stakeholder needs and concerns to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Project Scope and Objectives Definition Collaborate with assigned stakeholders to help maintain project scope to meet project objectives.
• Ensure that all project activities remain aligned with the defined scope and make adjustments as necessary, only after approval from all key stakeholders.
• Resource Planning and Management Assist with the estimated and manage the resources needed to achieve project objectives.
• Ensure resources are used effectively and efficiently throughout the project life cycle.
• Identify and resolve resource‑related obstacles that may arise during the execution phase within your given authority.
• Outside of your authority collaborate with Tech Grove Management.
• Controls scope of project, keeps team on task with minimal variance from project objectives
• Cost Estimation and Budget Management Maintain accurate project cost estimates based on the defined scope in the Request for Proposal (RFP) and resource requirements.
• Monitor project costs and make necessary adjustments (with Tech Grove Management approval) to remain within the allocated budget.
• Provide financial updates and projections to stakeholders as required.
• Project Schedule Development and Management Create and manage a detailed project schedule (approved by Tech Grove Management) that outlines all necessary tasks, milestones, and deadlines for all projects assigned.
• Regularly track progress and adjust the schedule as needed to reflect changes or delays.
• Ensure the team remains on track to meet deadlines with minimal variance from the project objectives.
• Communicate all schedule variances to Tech Grove Management as soon as recognized, while providing a plan for recovery.
• Social Media and Email Campaign Management Develop and maintain social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X) content for advertising projects and providing real‑time updates, which will need Tech Grove Management and Government Public Affairs Office (PAO) approvals.
• Develop and maintain project‑related social media channels, ensuring active engagement and consistent messaging, again with proper approvals.
• Utilize HubSpot to manage and execute email campaigns, ensuring timely and relevant communication with customers and stakeholders.
• Analyze performance metrics for both social media and email campaigns, and recommend options for adjusting strategies to enhance outreach and engagement.
• Other Duties as assigned
• Project Team Oversight and Vendor Management (Sub‑Contractor) Oversee and coordinate the project team, ensuring all team members are aligned with project goals.
• Manage contracts with external vendors and suppliers, assigning tasks and ensuring they meet deliverables.
• Address obstacles that arise, proposing (to the Tech Grove Management ) and implementing approved strategic solutions.
• Project Closure and Documentation: Review project outcomes with Tech Grove Management to ensure all objectives and deliverables have been met.
• Complete all necessary organizational, contractual, and project documentation, as assigned.
• Conduct post‑project analysis to assess successes and areas for improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in project and program management, including scope definition, resource allocation, risk mitigation, scheduling, and full lifecycle execution.
• Demonstrated experience leading programs and initiatives, including strategy development, implementation, and performance tracking.
• Proven ability to partner with leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders to align operational priorities with organizational goals and drive measurable outcomes.
• Familiarity with U.S. military culture, traditions, and customs gained through military service, ROTC participation, professional experience, or other relevant exposure.
• Strong background in data‑driven decision‑making, including development of KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to monitor program performance and inform strategy.
• Demonstrated success in facilitating meetings, including steering committees, and preparing high‑quality briefing materials and reports.
• Ability to build and manage networks or teams, including facilitators, project staff, or regional program leaders.
• Proven track record of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Proficiency with project management, customer relationship management (CRM), design, and AI‑powered productivity tools, such as Microsoft Project, Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, or similar platforms.

Special Instructions to the Applicants

This role may require access to secure facilities or classified information. Selected candidate must meet all federal security requirements, which may include obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance. The anticipated salary range for this position is $56,030 to $74,939.74. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity here at UCF, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment.

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted. 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.

About UCF

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.

Benefits

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance

For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

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 Office of Research - Operations

Work Schedule Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Schedule may vary based on operational needs. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary to support initiatives aligned with program objectives.

Type of Appointment

Regular Expected Salary $56,030.00 to Negotiable Job Posting End Date 09-17-2026-12-00-AM

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.