Visiting Project Manager - Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is hiring up to two Visiting Project Managers to lead strategic projects, operational initiatives, and cross-functional programs. You will drive execution, support organizational strategy, and improve business processes with executive-level briefings and recommendations.

The role requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and is based in Chicago, IL, with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business or a related field.
• Five years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Economic Development, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage strategic projects and operational initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving leadership, corporate partners, government agencies, startups, researchers, and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, workstreams, status reporting, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Prepare presentations, reports, and briefing materials for executive leadership and external partners.
• Support planning, program assessments, and benchmarking to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or business

Master’s degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Enterprise management systems

Google Workspace

Job description

This position will be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement but will require regular presence in Chicago.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is a first-of-its-kind park for quantum scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development. Minutes away from downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan, this site will: 1) build on a track record of historic investment by the State in quantum information science and technology, and 2) further establish Illinois as a global hub for quantum. The park is designed to support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners working to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, including the world\'s first fault-tolerant computers. For more information, visit our website.

Job Summary The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is hiring up to two Visiting Project Managers who, under limited supervision, lead and manage strategic projects, operational initiatives, and cross-functional programs for the IQMP. The role serves as a key project management and operational lead responsible for driving execution across multiple stakeholders, supporting organizational strategy, and improving business processes and operational effectiveness. This position supports IQMP leadership with key initiatives, including but not limited to stakeholder engagement, project planning and execution, financial modeling and analysis, operational reporting, process improvement, and development of executive-level briefings and recommendations. The position partners with internal and external stakeholders to deliver complex projects on time, within scope, and aligned with strategic priorities. This position is based in Chicago.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Project Management
• Lead and manage strategic projects and operational initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving leadership, corporate partners, government agencies, startups, researchers, consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, implementation timelines, workstreams, status reporting, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure the successful delivery of complex initiatives. Monitor project progress, identify operational challenges, and drive resolution of issues impacting timelines, deliverables, or stakeholder alignment.
• Facilitate project governance activities including stakeholder meetings, executive briefings, action-item tracking, and strategic communications. Prepare presentations, reports, and briefing materials for executive leadership, board members, public-sector partners, and external stakeholders.
• Support organizational strategic planning efforts by conducting research, operational analysis, benchmarking, and program assessments. Coordinate multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Stakeholder and Partnership Management
• Serve as a primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders associated with IQMP strategic initiatives. Build and maintain collaborative relationships across academic units, industry partners, economic development organizations, government entities, and startup companies.
• Coordinate stakeholder communications, facilitate working groups, and ensure alignment between project objectives, operational priorities, and organizational goals. Track and manage follow-up actions, deliverables, and key milestones across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Support partnership development activities, ecosystem engagement initiatives, and collaborative programming opportunities that advance innovation, research commercialization, entrepreneurship, and economic development objectives.
• Assist with the development and coordination of special projects, strategic initiatives, and cross-organizational collaborations.
• Strategic Planning & Performance Analytics
• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of IQMP strategic initiatives by collaborating with internal and external partners across academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and economic development sectors.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking project performance, operational outcomes, key deliverables, and organizational priorities to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Prepare reports, presentations, dashboards, and analytical summaries to communicate progress, opportunities, and strategic recommendations to leadership and stakeholders. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives, working groups, and collaborative projects to ensure alignment with organizational goals, timelines, and operational objectives.
• Conduct research, analyze trends, and identify opportunities that support innovation, program growth, partnership development, and ecosystem engagement. Assist with the implementation of special projects and strategic initiatives that advance IQMP’s mission and long-term organizational objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree with a major in finance, business or a related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Economic Development, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration in a professional or higher education environment preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of financial and operational management principles, including budget tracking, cost analysis, financial reporting, and administrative processes.
• Proficiency with business and financial software applications, including Microsoft Excel and enterprise management systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and professional correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain attention to detail, and work effectively in collaborative, fast-paced environments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications with strong administrative, documentation, and data management capabilities.
  
  

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. This position may become permanent at a later date. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $70,000 to $100,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Requisition ID: 1037677

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu