Academic Project Manager

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

4d • $69,000 - $73,000

About The Position

The Academic Project Manager supports the continued success, quality, and scalability of Colorado State University’s Professional Science Master’s program in Zoo, Aquaria, and Animal Shelter Management. Located in the Department of Biology, the position provides leadership in graduate instruction, student advising, capstone supervision, and experiential learning. It supports students’ academic and professional development, with particular emphasis on capstone completion, career readiness, and engagement with external partners. The role works within a two-person staff team under the faculty Program Director and may occasionally supervise 1–2 graduate student hourly assistants, assigning tasks and guiding their work priorities.

The position teaches graduate courses, advises students, oversees capstone projects, and builds relationships with external organizations to create applied learning opportunities. It also collaborates with departmental leadership to develop, coordinate, and assess undergraduate experiential learning programs. The role requires a relevant graduate degree, college- or university-level teaching experience, and three years of professional experience working directly with students in higher education in advising or student development activities.

The salary range is $69,000–$73,000. A signing bonus of up to $2,500 may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the hiring laboratory and departmental leadership. A pre-employment background check is required for new hires. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. MT on October 28, 2026, for full consideration.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Zoology, Biology, or Animal Sciences; a PSM degree in Zoo, Aquaria and Animal Shelter Management; or an MS in Higher Education, Counseling or Human Services, Psychology, Education, Liberal Arts, or Social Sciences.
• Experience teaching at the college or university level.
• Three years of professional experience working directly with students in a higher education setting to provide academic advising and/or conduct student development activities such as orientation, multicultural affairs, residence life, or career services.

Nice To Haves

• Academic training in Biology, Zoology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field.
• Experience guiding students in degree planning, academic policies, and career development, including internships and job search strategies, while supporting a broad range of student populations.
• Student engagement and accountability skills, including motivating students through clear expectations and academic rigor while fostering a supportive, inclusive environment that addresses academic and personal challenges.
• Experience designing research projects and managing them through completion.
• Teaching, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop curriculum, deliver instruction to residential and online learners, and coordinate instructor and mentor partnerships.
• Data-informed assessment and program evaluation skills, including tracking student outcomes, analyzing data, and applying insights to improve advising practices and program effectiveness.
• Strong leadership, organizational, administrative, and communication skills; ability to innovate, coordinate initiatives that enhance program outcomes, track student success, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Experiential learning and partnership development experience, including building partnerships, coordinating internships or research placements, mentoring students through the experience, and assessing experiential learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deliver graduate-level coursework aligned with program objectives, industry trends, and professional competencies.
• Create and maintain engaging course content for in-person and online learning environments.
• Evaluate student assignments, presentations, and professional documents, providing individualized feedback and guidance.
• Supervise graduate capstone projects from proposal development through completion, final deliverables, and publication preparation.
• Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and project milestones to ensure program expectations and outcomes are met.
• Advise graduate students on academic planning, degree progression, career development, and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Review and provide feedback on research proposals, papers, compliance documentation, and other scholarly work.
• Facilitate partnerships between students and external organizations to create capstone and experiential learning opportunities.
• Recruit, onboard, and maintain relationships with external partners to expand applied learning and professional development experiences.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to develop, coordinate, and assess undergraduate experiential learning programs; mentor students and evaluate progress toward academic milestones.
• Occasionally supervise 1–2 graduate student hourly assistants, including assigning tasks and guiding and overseeing work priorities.

Benefits

• Colorado State University describes its benefits package as robust and emphasizes a collaborative atmosphere and work-life balance; applicants are directed to detailed benefits information and additional employee perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level