Junior Project Manager

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

2d

About The Position

The Junior Project Manager plans, coordinates, executes, and monitors assigned projects and activities within a major industry-sponsored program at the Arkansas Research Institute for Electronics Systems (ARIES). Working with the Senior Project Manager, technical personnel, ARIES financial operations, and external partners, the position ensures project activities are completed on schedule, within established requirements, and in alignment with program objectives.

The role independently develops and maintains project plans, schedules, milestone trackers, action-item registers, risk and issue logs, dashboards, and deliverable records. It estimates the time, personnel, and other resources needed for assigned activities and coordinates their allocation. The position monitors progress, evaluates information from technical and business teams, addresses scheduling and coordination issues, and implements corrective actions as needed. It also leads recurring project meetings, coordinates follow-up, and prepares status reports and materials for management and sponsor reviews.

In coordination with ARIES financial operations, the Project Manager monitors budgets, analyzes expenditures and financial performance, identifies discrepancies, and coordinates resolution of issues affecting project costs, deliverables, and invoicing. The position reports directly to the ARIES Chief Operating Officer (COO) and works with the Senior Project Manager to coordinate program priorities and resolve escalated issues, while independently managing assigned projects and activities. Frequent collaboration across technical teams, university administrative functions, and external partner organizations is required. Regular, reliable, non-disruptive attendance and effective professional working relationships are essential.

This position is renewable annually based on continued need, funding availability, and satisfactory job performance. The position is benefits-eligible.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, engineering, science, operations, finance, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in project management, program coordination, business operations, research administration, or a related field.
• Experience developing and implementing project plans, establishing priorities, managing schedules and milestones, and coordinating activities to meet project objectives.
• Experience with common productivity and project-management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Microsoft Project.
• Ability to independently collect, analyze, reconcile, and communicate project information accurately and on schedule.
• Ability to identify and resolve project-related issues, manage competing priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance and effective professional working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• At least four years of project coordination, project management, engineering operations, business operations, financial administration, or technical program experience.
• Experience supporting research, engineering, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, defense, aerospace, energy, or other technology-focused projects.
• Experience supporting invoices, budgets, forecasts, procurement, deliverables, or other project financial and contractual activities.
• Experience working with external customers, suppliers, subcontractors, or industrial partners.
• CAPM, PMP coursework, or other project-management training or certification.
• Experience in a university research environment or with sponsored research projects.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, execute, and monitor assigned projects and activities within an industry-sponsored program.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project plans, schedules, milestone trackers, action-item registers, risk and issue logs, dashboards, and deliverable records.
• Estimate the time, personnel, and other resources needed for project activities and coordinate their allocation.
• Monitor project progress, evaluate information from technical and business teams, identify and resolve scheduling or coordination issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct recurring project meetings, coordinate follow-up activities, and prepare project status reports and materials for management and sponsor reviews.
• Monitor project budgets and analyze expenditures and financial performance in coordination with ARIES financial operations.
• Identify financial discrepancies and coordinate resolution of issues affecting project costs, deliverables, and invoicing.
• Coordinate program priorities and work with the Senior Project Manager to resolve escalated issues.
• Collaborate with technical teams, university administrative functions, and external partner organizations.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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