Project Manager

University of Dayton•Dayton, OH

19h

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Project Manager to support a diverse range of systems engineering, digital materiel management, and applied research projects for government and commercial clients. The ideal candidate will not only manage complex projects from inception through completion, but will also bring a working understanding of technical concepts to effectively monitor performance, identify emerging risks, and escalate issues with clarity and urgency. This role requires a highly proactive individual who excels at maintaining momentum—driving accountability across teams, persistently following up on action items, and ensuring projects remain on schedule and aligned to commitments. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong financial acumen, with the ability to actively manage and forecast project budgets, analyze cost performance, and embed themselves in the financial health of each project. A background in contracting, subcontracting, flow down of terms, and their effects on project deliverables is desired. This role will require close collaboration with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients to align technical solutions with strategic and financial goals. The Mid-Level (P2) role focuses on growing responsibility and execution excellence, while the Senior-Level (P3) position emphasizes leadership, financial ownership, and oversight of larger, more complex initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
5 years of relevant experience in program or project management, preferably within a technical or engineering environment (for P2).
8+ years of relevant experience in program or project management, preferably within a technical or engineering environment (for P3).
Ability to manage the full project lifecycle, from initiation through delivery and closeout.
Ability to actively manage project schedules, drive task completion, and maintain accountability across teams.
Working familiarity with technical project environments sufficient to monitor execution and escalate issues effectively.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to interface effectively with clients, technical teams, and stakeholders.
Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar).
Experience with risk management, change management, and issue resolution.
Ability managing project budgets, including forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Experience leading large-scale, complex technical programs (for P3).

Nice To Haves

PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or equivalent is strongly preferred.
Advanced degree in a contracting or business management.
Experience managing government contracts or working with government clients.
Experience drafting, negotiating, and managing subcontracts with commercial partners, including statements of work.
Familiarity with the lifecycle of government contracts, including proposal development, contract negotiation, and performance management.
Familiarity with digital materiel management practices, tools, and processes.

Responsibilities

Lead project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution for a variety of technical projects.
Maintain relentless focus on schedule adherence by actively tracking tasks, following up with owners, and driving timely completion of deliverables.
Apply sufficient technical understanding to monitor project performance, recognize risks or anomalies, and escalate issues effectively to technical leads and stakeholders.
Ensure adherence to project scope, schedule, and budget through proactive risk management, issue tracking, and resolution.
Collaborate with technical teams, stakeholders, and clients to ensure project alignment with technical, strategic, and financial objectives.
Own project financials, including budget tracking, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control.
Manage project documentation, including schedules, risk management plans, financial reports, and status updates.
Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the primary point of contact for program-related issues.
Monitor project progress and implement corrective actions to address variances from the plan across scope, schedule, and cost.
Foster a collaborative environment and mentor junior team members (for Senior-Level P3).
Contribute to business development efforts, including proposals and project bids (more emphasized in P3).