Research Program Manager
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
About the Role
The Defense Industrial Base Institute seeks an experienced Research Program Manager to support a new DoD-funded project and its overall institute mission in the metro-Boston area and nationally. This position, based in Boston or Washington DC, is responsible for research program and project management across two recently awarded portfolios. Reporting to the Associate Director of Research, the role involves tracking schedule, performance, and risk for DoD-funded initiatives, coordinating stakeholder meetings, and overseeing graduate and undergraduate students supporting these projects.
Responsibilities
- Provide program and portfolio management for multiple complex research portfolios.
- Create systems to organize and manage program milestones, deliverables, effort, and timelines for all active research.
- Conduct in-depth analysis on projects, manage schedules and performance, and provide reports to the Director of Research.
- Plan and manage schedules, monitoring programs from initiation to closeout.
- Assist with proposals, budgets, and other information gathering for contract submissions of new research efforts.
- Collaborate, coordinate, and provide guidance to technical research staff, senior leadership, and other departments within DIBI and Northeastern University.
- Interact and coordinate with contracting officials, program managers, technical representatives, and government sponsors on assigned research efforts.
- Collect data and information in response to research and compliance inquiries.
- Support the Director of Research and other tasks as assigned.
- Travel as required to support program and project activities.
- Plan, schedule, and conduct research meetings, discovery/working groups, and technical seminars.
- Coordinate logistics and site support for public outreach events alongside the event manager.
- Maintain attendee lists, confirm engagement (in-person or remote), and collect research presentation materials for distribution.
- Support manuscript, publication, and briefing development alongside faculty, staff, and researchers.
- Assist in developing technical narratives, scope, resource planning, and supporting documents for external funding opportunities.
- Identify and support outreach to Northeastern faculty for potential collaboration on the Institute’s research agenda.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship (required per Federal funding agency).
- PMP certification or 5+ years of relevant project management experience.
- Bachelor’s degree with applicable work experience; graduate degree preferred.
- Solid knowledge of DoD program and contract management.
- Strong background in Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, or related technical specialty areas.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
- Demonstrated judgment for prioritizing tasks.
- Excellent communication skills with a customer service focus.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and effective problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in MS Office suite and ability to learn new programs/systems with ease.
- Ability to travel nationally for initiative events or stakeholder collaboration meetings.
Benefits
Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including:
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
- Paid time off.
- Tuition assistance.
- Wellness and life insurance programs.
- Retirement plans.
- Commuting and transportation benefits.
Pay
Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 111S
Expected hiring range: $87,785.00 - $123,998.75. The starting salary will depend on education, experience, location, knowledge, expertise, and a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
This is a fixed-term appointment with the possibility of renewal based on continuing external funding.