Tech Grove Project Manager

University of Central Florida•Orlando, FL

4d•$64,518 - $80,648•Onsite

About The Position

Join the team behind one of the nation's premier defense innovation hubs. As a Project Manager II with Central Florida Tech Grove, you'll lead high-impact projects that bring together government, industry, academia, and entrepreneurs to solve real-world challenges, accelerate emerging technologies, and strengthen national security. This is a unique opportunity to help transform innovative ideas into mission-driven solutions with national significance.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer.
This role may require access to secure facilities or classified information. Selected candidate must meet all federal security requirements, which may include obtaining a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience in project and program management, including scope definition, resource allocation, risk mitigation, scheduling, and full lifecycle execution.
Demonstrated experience leading programs and initiatives, including strategy development, implementation, and performance tracking.
Proven ability to partner with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align operational priorities with organizational goals and drive measurable outcomes.
Familiarity with U.S. military culture, traditions, and customs gained through military service, ROTC participation, professional experience, or other relevant exposure.
Strong background in data-driven decision-making, including development of KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to monitor program performance and inform strategy.
Demonstrated success in facilitating meetings, including steering committees, and preparing high-quality briefing materials and reports.
Ability to build and manage networks or teams, including facilitators, project staff, or regional program leaders.
Proven track record of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency with project management, customer relationship management (CRM), design, and AI-powered productivity tools, such as Microsoft Project, Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned projects and initiatives involving internal and external stakeholders, including UCF, Tech Grove, government agencies, industry, universities, non-profits, and entrepreneurs.
Identify, define, and maintain relationships with key project stakeholders and decision-makers.
Establish and maintain clear, consistent communication channels throughout the project lifecycle.
Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned projects and facilitate effective coordination among stakeholders.
Proactively identify stakeholder needs, concerns, dependencies, and potential conflicts and develop strategies to address them.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with government customers, sponsors, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Provide regular project updates, briefings, and recommendations to Tech Grove Management and other senior stakeholders.
Lead the development, documentation, and ongoing management of project scope, objectives, milestones, deliverables, and success criteria.
Collaborate with stakeholders to translate strategic priorities and customer requirements into actionable project plans.
Ensure project activities remain aligned with approved objectives, requirements, contracts, and stakeholder expectations.
Identify and manage scope changes, dependencies, and competing priorities.
Evaluate proposed changes and coordinate appropriate approvals before implementing adjustments to project scope, schedule, resources, or deliverables.
Maintain focus on project outcomes while minimizing unnecessary scope variance.
Develop comprehensive project plans identifying required personnel, resources, facilities, technology, vendors, and other requirements.
Independently coordinate and manage resources necessary to achieve project objectives.
Monitor resource utilization throughout the project lifecycle and make recommendations to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
Identify resource constraints, conflicts, and obstacles and develop solutions within established authority.
Escalate issues requiring management decisions with appropriate analysis and recommended courses of action.
Coordinate cross-functional teams and ensure resources remain aligned with project priorities.
Maintain accountability for project execution and keep project teams focused on approved objectives.
Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules that identify tasks, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and deadlines.
Establish realistic timelines in coordination with project stakeholders and team members.
Monitor project progress and proactively identify schedule risks, delays, and dependencies.
Develop and implement recovery strategies when project milestones are at risk.
Communicate schedule variances and recommended corrective actions to Tech Grove Management in a timely manner.
Ensure project teams remain accountable for assigned tasks and deliverables.
Maintain minimal variance from approved project objectives, milestones, and deadlines.
Proactively identify, assess, document, and manage project risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop mitigation and contingency strategies for identified risks.
Maintain visibility of project issues, dependencies, decisions, and action items.
Facilitate resolution of project issues and escalate significant risks or decisions to Tech Grove Management as appropriate.
Evaluate the potential impact of proposed changes to project scope, schedule, resources, budget, and deliverables.
Maintain appropriate documentation of project decisions, approvals, and changes.
Develop and maintain social media content for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and other applicable platforms to promote Tech Grove projects, programs, events, and initiatives.
Coordinate project-related social media campaigns and ensure consistent messaging and engagement.
Obtain required Tech Grove Management and Government Public Affairs Office (PAO) approvals for applicable content.
Develop and execute project-related email campaigns using HubSpot, ensuring timely and relevant communications with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Analyze social media and email campaign performance and provide recommendations to improve outreach, engagement, and stakeholder participation.
Coordinate communications activities with broader project objectives and organizational priorities.
Lead and coordinate project teams, ensuring team members understand project objectives, responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables.
Provide direction and coordination to project staff, facilitators, contractors, vendors, and other project resources as assigned.
Establish accountability mechanisms to monitor completion of assigned responsibilities.
Coordinate with external vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers to ensure contractual deliverables and performance expectations are met.
Monitor vendor performance, schedules, deliverables, and potential issues.
Identify obstacles to project execution and develop recommendations for strategic solutions.
Coordinate approved solutions and corrective actions to maintain project progress.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate project documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop project status reports, executive briefings, dashboards, presentations, and other project communications as required.
Track project performance against established objectives, milestones, budgets, and key performance indicators.
Develop and maintain project metrics and performance measures to assess progress and outcomes.
Prepare information and recommendations for leadership decision-making.
Ensure project records and documentation are maintained in accordance with applicable UCF, contractual, and government requirements.
Lead project closeout activities and ensure all project objectives, deliverables, contractual requirements, and stakeholder expectations have been addressed.
Review project outcomes with Tech Grove Management and key stakeholders.
Complete all required organizational, contractual, financial, and project documentation.
Conduct post-project reviews and develop lessons learned.
Identify opportunities for process improvements, operational efficiencies, and improved project delivery.
Recommend and implement approved improvements to project management processes, tools, and practices.
Apply lessons learned to future Tech Grove projects and initiatives.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Tech Grove Management.