Program Manager, Climate & Sustainability Engineering

About the role

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is seeking a Program Manager to support a dynamic portfolio of interdisciplinary academic programs and research centers focused on climate, risk, and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities across multiple academic programs and research centers to ensure alignment of goals, timelines, and deliverables while serving as a liaison across departments, schools, and partner institutions
• Support program directors in strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement, including identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements across workflows, communications, and program operations
• Develop, maintain, and manage integrated systems (e.g., CRM tools, program databases, dashboards) to track students, partners, projects, key performance indicators (KPIs), milestones, and outcomes to inform decision-making
• Manage day-to-day academic program operations including student tracking (progress, requirements, graduation readiness), course coordination, scheduling, admissions support, recruitment activities, onboarding, and student engagement initiatives
• Career events such as orientations, seminars, residencies, graduation activities, workshops, and cross-program convenings
• Oversee program budgets, financial processes, expense reconciliation, and assist with financial planning and forecasting
• Support research center and grant administration activities including coordination of CIRCAD, RESILE, and related initiatives; scheduling leadership meetings and advisory boards; tracking deliverables and reporting requirements; and assisting with proposal development, reporting, and renewal processes
• Coordinate across research teams and partner institutions while supporting subaward processes and sponsor requirements (e.g., NSF IUCRC structures)
• Manage and strengthen industry partnerships and external engagement efforts, including coordinating advisory board meetings, tracking partner interactions, cultivating new partnerships, and facilitating internships, capstone projects, and experiential learning opportunities
• Support governance processes by preparing materials for leadership teams and advisory boards, tracking decisions and action items, and helping advance strategic initiatives across programs
• Develop and manage communications across programs, including newsletters, reports, websites, social media, and stakeholder updates, translating technical research into accessible messaging
• Plan and execute conferences, workshops, short courses, and student engagement programming while supporting new initiatives such as executive education offerings and strategic partnerships

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is generally required. Requires 2 years of experience in program management, academic administration, or multi-stakeholder initiatives. OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across complex programs or portfolios
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to translate complex technical or research topics into accessible content
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, industry partnerships, or external collaborations
• Experience with event planning, communications, and program coordination
• Familiarity with climate, risk, resilience, or related technical fields
• Experience working in academic, interdisciplinary, or research-driven environments
• Familiarity with data systems, CRM platforms, dashboards, or program tracking tools
• Master’s degree preferred