Project Director_Dine E2G Adv Man & Job Creation Init.

Navajo Technical University•Crownpoint, NM

3d•Onsite

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, the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, federal partners, and private-sector industry to build 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; coordinates technical and business curricula across the main and satellite sites; oversees the Diné Apprenticeship Corps and E2G Capstone Program; facilitates business incubation and technical assistance; ensures federal compliance; and leads regional stakeholder engagement. The role also supervises staff, manages budgets and grant expenditures, coordinates workforce and industry partnerships, and supports reporting, audits, outreach, and program delivery. Work is typically performed in an office setting, with travel and possible evening, weekend, extended-hour, or irregular-shift work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Technology Management, Engineering, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
At least 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.
Knowledge of advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing concepts, business incubation, or small business development ecosystems.
Proficiency in project management tools, spreadsheet analysis, and data reporting platforms.
Familiarity with federal grant compliance, including 2 CFR 200 / OMB Uniform Guidance.
Strong interpersonal, written, and presentation skills, including experience delivering briefings to 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.
The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to hiring, promotions, and transfers into this position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and manage day-to-day operations, milestones, and deliverables in the SBA ONAA-7j grant work plan.
Serve as the primary 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.
Coordinate data collection, participant intake and surveys, and milestone tracking, including jobs created or retained, federal bids submitted, and capital secured; prepare and submit federal performance and quarterly progress reports in compliance with SBA and NTU standards.
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 with business management, accounting systems, and soft-skills development.
Oversee development of the E2G Capstone Program, connecting multidisciplinary student teams with regional entrepreneurs, small businesses, and national laboratories to address manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
Coordinate training schedules and technical assistance delivery across CAM, the Navajo Tech Innovation Center in Church Rock, and satellite training labs in Chinle, Zuni, and Gallup.
Support cybersecurity compliance readiness and micro-credentials to help E2G firms qualify for federal contracting opportunities.
Lead development and implementation of Diné Apprenticeship Corps components, including participant recruitment, onboarding, supportive services, and placement into experiential learning and apprenticeships.
Develop and manage relationships with federal agencies, private-sector and industry partners, training providers, higher education institutions, and Navajo Nation, state, and local governmental agencies.
Execute 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.
Direct 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 procurement policies, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and SBA grant terms.
Collaborate 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 oversee staff work allocation, scheduling, training, and problem resolution.
Recruit, hire, select, orient, train, coach, counsel, evaluate, discipline, and terminate personnel as appropriate; communicate organizational values, strategies, and objectives.
Obtain, develop, and maintain 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 approval.