Project Manager I

University of Mississippi•University, MS

About The Position

The Project Manager I supports project planning and administration within the Department of Public Health at the University of Mississippi. The position helps develop project definitions, work breakdowns, rough order estimates, project plans, communication plans, schedules, and specifications; serves as a liaison to resolve problems and concerns; researches project management solutions; and leads short-term tactical projects. The role also helps determine project scope, communicates timelines and milestones in meetings, prepares reports and program documentation, and applies project objectives and priorities using best practices and industry-standard methodologies. The role additionally supports departmental operations and financial administration, including daily operations, budgeting and procurement, leadership and faculty/staff support, accreditation and assessment activities, academic program administration, student support, recruitment, and community outreach. It supports CEPH accreditation through data collection, deadline tracking, and stakeholder communication, and helps maintain accurate program and student records and document and communicate assessment information. The position works with the Department Chair on curriculum scheduling and changes through CourseLeaf and collaborates with the Program Coordinator to support graduate students. Other duties may be assigned by the Department Chair.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
No experience is required; relevant experience is listed as not required.
An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered, with substitutions assessed on a 1:1 basis.

Nice To Haves

Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or a strong professional understanding of public health principles.
Prior experience working within an academic department or higher education setting.
Experience managing data, reporting, and assessment activities, particularly in academia.

Responsibilities

Support the creation of project definitions, work breakdowns, rough order estimates, project plans, communication plans, project schedules, and specifications.
Serve as a liaison to resolve project problems and concerns.
Research solutions to project management issues using appropriate resources.
Lead short-term tactical projects of various types.
Help determine the scope of work required for assigned projects.
Participate in team or project meetings to communicate timelines, milestones, and updates.
Assist with preparing reports and program documentation.
Follow project objectives, priorities, and goals using best practices and industry-standard methodologies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for daily departmental operations.
Manage the departmental budget, procurement processes, and university P-Card, including authorized purchases, transaction reconciliation, documentation, and compliance with university audit policies.
Provide administrative support to the Department Chair, including faculty and staff search processes, committee coordination, departmental reporting, and initiatives.
Assist faculty and staff with administrative needs, travel coordination, office contract management, and logistics for departmental events and initiatives.
Support CEPH accreditation by managing data collection, tracking deadlines, and communicating with stakeholders.
Establish and maintain accurate program and student records for accreditation, institutional reporting, and continuous improvement.
Document, analyze, and communicate assessment information to meet departmental strategic needs.
Work with the Department Chair to administer curriculum scheduling and curriculum changes through CourseLeaf.
Serve as a knowledgeable resource and point of contact for public health students.
Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to support graduate students.
Support on- and off-campus recruitment events and public health community outreach initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Department Chair.