Project Director_Dine E2G Adv Man & Job Creation Init.

Navajo Technical University•Crownpoint, NM

About The Position

The Project Director provides strategic leadership, operational execution, and administrative oversight for the Diné E2G (Education to Growth) Advanced Manufacturing Training & Job Creation Initiative. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Native American Affairs, the initiative brings together Navajo Technical University’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Business Department, Land-Grant Extension program, Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, federal partners, and private-sector industry to develop a Tribally led distributed advanced manufacturing ecosystem across the Navajo Nation and Four Corners region. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, the Project Director manages grant operations and coordinates technical and business curricula across the main and satellite sites. The role oversees the Diné Apprenticeship Corps and E2G Capstone Program, supports business incubation and technical assistance, ensures federal compliance, and leads regional stakeholder engagement. The position also supervises project staff, tracks grant milestones and expenditures, coordinates reporting and audits, develops workforce and industry partnerships, and supports community outreach and regional manufacturing resource mapping.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Technology Management, Engineering, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
3–5 years of progressive experience in program management, sponsored project administration, workforce development, or technical/business project coordination.
Demonstrated experience managing or supporting federally funded grants or contracts, such as SBA, NSF, NNSA, USDA, NASA, or similar.
Valid state-issued driver’s license.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check in accordance with Navajo Technical University policy.
Proven track record in budget oversight, federal milestone tracking, and stakeholder coordination.
Proficiency in project management tools, spreadsheet analysis, and data reporting platforms.
Strong interpersonal, written, and presentation skills, including experience briefing tribal leaders, academic administrators, federal officers, and industry executives.
Understanding of and deep commitment to the Diné Philosophy of Education, tribal data sovereignty, and the socio-economic landscape of the Navajo Nation and Four Corners Native communities.
Willingness to travel throughout the Navajo Nation, the Southwest region, and nationally as required for project operations and federal sponsor meetings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Knowledge of advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing concepts, business incubation, or small business development ecosystems.
Familiarity with federal grant compliance, including 2 CFR 200 / OMB Uniform Guidance.

Responsibilities

Direct and manage day-to-day operations, milestones, and deliverables in the SBA ONAA-7j grant work plan.
Serve as the operational liaison with SBA program officers, NTU project leadership, university administration, and external project partners.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Project Assistant and designated student project assistants; allocate and schedule staff work, provide training, and address personnel issues.
Coordinate participant intake, surveys, data collection, and milestone tracking, including jobs created or retained, federal bids submitted, and capital secured; prepare and submit federal performance and quarterly progress reports.
Facilitate regular meetings and reporting with the NNDAM/CAM Advisory Board.
Coordinate joint workforce initiatives between CAM and the Business Department, integrating additive manufacturing training, business management, accounting systems, and soft-skills development.
Oversee development of the E2G Capstone Program connecting multidisciplinary student teams with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and national laboratories to address manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
Coordinate training schedules and technical assistance across CAM, NTIC in Church Rock, and emerging satellite labs in Chinle, Zuni, and Gallup.
Support cybersecurity compliance readiness and micro-credentials to help E2G firms qualify for federal contracting opportunities.
Develop and implement components of the Diné Apprenticeship Corps, including participant recruitment, onboarding, supportive services, experiential learning, and apprenticeship placement.
Develop and manage partnerships with federal agencies, private-sector industry, training providers, higher education institutions, and Navajo Nation, state, and local governmental agencies.
Conduct regional manufacturing resource mapping to identify supplier networks, training needs, and supply chain opportunities in aerospace, defense, and energy.
Scale and maintain mentor-protégé partnerships with regional industry partners and small business startups across McKinley, San Juan, Apache, and Navajo counties.
Lead community outreach through Navajo Chapter houses and regional tribal communities to engage workers and entrepreneurs in upskilling, reskilling, and enterprise development.
Monitor grant expenditures, subcontracts, procurement, and travel in accordance with NTU policies, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and SBA grant terms.
Work with the NTU Business Office and Sponsored Programs to review financial ledgers, track direct costs, and support internal and federal audits.
Host regular staff meetings and recruit, hire, select, orient, train, coach, counsel, evaluate, discipline, or terminate personnel as appropriate.
Obtain, develop, and maintain the personnel, training, and equipment needed to meet financial, operational, and compliance expectations.
Prepare and maintain departmental budgets, oversee fiscal-year compliance, and manage timekeeping and approvals.