Description

Senior Program Manager, Strategic Research

Job Summary

The Senior Program Manager for Strategic Research serves as a strategic leader for assigned projects within CU Boulder's Research & Innovation Office (RIO) Program Management Office (PMO), driving high-impact research and translational deep tech initiatives including therapeutics-focused efforts through expert project management.

This role leads complex, multi-stakeholder efforts, supports Principal Investigators (PIs) and Department Research Administrators (DRAs), and contributes to the growth of the PMO and the broader campus project management community. This role acts as a trusted partner to faculty and Principal Investigators, providing strategic oversight, program and project management leadership, and informed guidance across the research lifecycle.

This role also works in close partnership with the Director of the PMO to support officewide strategy, priorities, and continuous improvement, while maintaining a primary focus on assigned projects.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The PMO partners with CU Boulder faculty and staff to provide strategic guidance, project management resources, talent development, and outreach for research programs and sponsored projects. We are committed to inclusive excellence and welcome candidates whose knowledge, skills, and abilities help us build an inclusive community.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Coordinate, implement, and facilitate program strategy by managing project delegation, and program implementation. Monitor and coordinate resources and budget as assigned.
• Provide insights and guidance to help campus collaborators understand and engage with assigned programs.
• Connect with project leaders and various partners about program progress and issues.
• Participate in the program process to ensure an understanding of project requirements and program goals/objectives.
• Assess and recommend internal capacity to deliver and engage with programs.
• Coordinate solutions at the project level and integrate project-based understanding to inform ongoing program strategy.
• Manage collaborator assessments and communications.
• Serve as a trusted oversight and management partner to program leaders, faculty, and PIs, supporting informed decisionmaking, accountability, and alignment between program execution, project execution, requirements, and institutional priorities.
• Assess, track, manage, and monitor risk, coordinating actions where identified.
• Assist the Director in advancing office and campus-research and sponsored projects portfolio goals and objectives.

Project Management:

• Serve as a trusted oversight and management partner to PIs, supporting informed decisionmaking, accountability, and alignment between project execution, requirements, and sponsor priorities.
• Facilitate the project lifecycle execution, including goal tracking, deliverable management, and schedule optimization supporting technical, cost, and schedule performance.
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, adjust timelines and dependencies as needed to accommodate evolving priorities and constraints.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination among internal teams, external collaborators (subrecipients, consultants, vendors), and sponsors. Lead regular tag-ups, kick-off meetings, and sponsor reviews.
• Lead operational execution for large-scale, multi-stakeholder research and translational projects, overseeing integrated workflows, resource allocation, and cross-functional coordination. Ensure project infrastructure supports timely delivery, compliance, and strategic alignment with institutional goals.
• Support project by assisting the PIs in goal deliverables, creating reports, and finalizing documents for sponsor. Contribute to project-related meetings, record meeting minutes, and prepare follow through agendas.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, including compliance, financial, and operational, by collaborating with institutional offices and tracking adherence to award terms, regulations, and university policies throughout the project lifecycle.
• In partnership with the DRA and Campus Controller’s Office, assess project financial status and implications, ensuring alignment with budgetary goals and sponsor expectations.
• Establish and maintain collaborative project management environments and tools that support transparency, accountability, and efficient workflow across all phases of research administration.
• Lead structured change management efforts, including impact assessment, documentation, and coordination with compliance offices. Facilitate stakeholder engagement and transition support through clear communication, training, and updating project systems.
• Serve as the primary liaison to external partners and sponsors, facilitating clear and consistent communication, setting expectations, and ensuring coordinated execution across institutional and sponsor priorities. Represent the university’s strategic research interests in collaborative engagements and formal reviews.
• As needed, prepare and deliver executivelevel briefings and written updates on project status, including schedule, budget, risk posture, emerging issues, and forwardlooking mitigation or contingency planning for PMO and institutional senior leadership.

Development of PM Processes, Tools, and Templates:

• Partner with the Director to contribute subject matter expertise and implementation insight to the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of project management frameworks, tools, templates, and standardized processes, as aligned with the assigned project.
• Develop and institutionalize best-practice procedures for strategic research and related initiatives contributing to targeted training and consultative support to faculty and staff to support adoption and operational excellence.

Relationship Development:

• Cultivate strategic relationships across university research areas and external funding entities—including industry partners, federal agencies, and philanthropic organizations—to align institutional strengths with sponsor priorities.
• Collaborate with faculty, campus partners, and the Director to identify and advance new sponsored research opportunities, employing existing projects to foster long-term partnerships and follow-on funding.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with faculty, PIs, and campus leaders, serving as a credible advisor on project health, risk, and execution strategy across large and complex research efforts.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and peer resource to PMO staff and campus partners, supporting knowledge-sharing and institutional capability development in alignment with PMO priorities.

Requirements

Modality: This position offers a hybrid work modality, typically two days per week on-site with flexibility to support project needs.

Project Related Funding: The position may be partially or fully funded by sponsored awards and may be dependent on funding availability. For fully funded positions by sponsored projects, the key responsibilities will be to support the assigned project.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 5+ years of relevant university, industry, non-profit, and/or government agency experience involving large, multi-faceted projects and/or programs.
• Direct experience in proposal development or management, award processes, and post-award management requirements on federal awards.
• Experience in research administration, research management, or related fields.

What You Will Need:

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with principal investigators, faculty, external partners, and campus colleagues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience presenting complex topics to a variety of audiences.
• Proven skills in organizing work, prioritizing objectives, and managing multiple projects or timelines in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to lead projects or teams across functions, fostering a collaborative culture within a large and complex organization.
• Understanding of organizational risk and compliance, with the capacity to evaluate internal controls and implement appropriate policies.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to new areas in research management.
• Proficiency with office productivity software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Commitment to service excellence and integrity in research and operations.

What We Would Like You to Have:

• Project Management Institute certification(s), such as Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Experience managing complex sponsored research in bioscience/health or CU Boulder-aligned strategic areas such as aerospace, climate and environment, quantum science and technology, or artificial intelligence.
• Experience supporting research projects operating within regulated or quality driven environments (e.g., GLP, clinical, biosafety, or sponsor specific compliance frameworks), including coordination of documentation, timelines, and cross functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to identify potential quality, compliance, or operational risks and advance appropriately within a structured project management framework, including coordination with Quality Assurance, compliance, or oversight partners as needed.
• BS/MS or PhD degree in the life sciences, bioengineering or related degrees to assist in the technical content of the project.
• Experience managing or administering federal grants or contracts.
• Project management experience on large-scale research programs (e.g., projects valued over $1M).
• Direct project management experience with industry and federal sponsored projects or similar federal research initiatives.
• Experience developing contract strategy or working with university research administration.

Special Instructions & Information:

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.

We may ask for references at a later time.
 
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.