Program Manager

Howard University

23d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The NOAA Cooperative Science Center in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (NCAS-M II) is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team as a Project Manager. This role will provide operational oversight for the Center and support the Center’s director in strategic leadership for scientific and academic initiatives. The Project Manager will coordinate collaborative research with NOAA and partner institutions, support staff, and manage meetings, reporting, and communications for the Center.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a related field, and at least one year of experience managing various phases of projects, or an equivalent combination of experience and disciplinary expertise.
Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply project management principles and to execute strategic process improvement projects.
Demonstrated skill in establishing and facilitating large, multi-stakeholder meetings and communications/project status updates.
Excellent organizational skills demonstrated by managing multiple priorities/projects.
Demonstrated skill in using Microsoft Office to create advanced documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Demonstrated skill in processing and presenting project data collection and analysis (e.g., financial or schedule related information).
Proven ability to respond positively and productively to uncertainty, rapid changes, and ambiguity.
Skill in directing the work of diverse scientific and administrative personnel.
Ability to motivate teams of individuals.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated skill in presenting technical and sensitive information to internal audiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leaders and varied audiences.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect long-term institutional goals to near-term actions.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy.
Proven capacity to lead through influence, coordinate across diverse stakeholders, and drive initiatives to completion.

Responsibilities

Translate senior leadership’s strategic vision into actionable daily workflows, managing center milestones and tracking performance indicators.
Act as the primary conduit between the directorate and administrative teams, serving as the default proxy when senior leadership is unavailable.
Synchronize efforts across all partner university campuses, aligning sub-awardee progress with the central administration’s directives.
Drive the execution of portfolio-level budgets, proposing and reviewing allocations for final approval by senior leadership.
Identify operational bottlenecks, manage student and researcher tracking systems, and escalate critical grant-compliance issues.
Synthesize research, education, and financial data into comprehensive draft reports for senior leadership’s review and submission to NOAA.
Perform project coordination and analysis for science initiatives and strategic projects across the Center.
Work with project team members and stakeholders to define project requirements and maintain them through change management activities.
Maintain comprehensive project plans, including scope, schedule, and communications plans.
Contribute to the development of baseline risk assessments, monitor project risks and mitigation plans, and prepare risk management summary reports.
Coordinate project requirements with project teams, external advisory committees, NCAS-M management, and outside vendors.
Facilitate project meetings through detailed notes and action item determination, agenda development, and team engagement.
Organize engagement activities and follow-up actions related to project/stakeholder engagement outcomes.
Support the NCAS-M II director and deputy director to make critical project decisions.