Public Exchange Project Manager (Project Administrator)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

USC Dornsife Public Exchange is seeking a Project Manager (PM) to support its growing team, with a portfolio focused within the Health and Well-being Practice. Public Exchange fast-tracks collaborations between academic researchers and partners across the public and private sectors to tackle complex problems. The PM will be essential to the Public Exchange model, identifying new partners, scoping research questions, drafting proposals, developing, launching, and managing projects, and creating rigorous, actionable, and high-impact deliverables. The role involves working closely with the Health and Well-being Practice Director, fellow team members, the Strategy & Operations Team, and university partners. The PM will be responsible for the success of their projects throughout the full project lifecycle, including identifying partner and funder opportunities, managing day-to-day execution, developing stakeholder relationships, monitoring budgets, addressing operational challenges, and ensuring maximal impact. Additionally, the PM will serve as the primary student talent coordinator for projects and may assist with high-priority operations projects across the organization, such as creating and managing systems for student talent or operationalizing budget reporting procedures.

Requirements

Minimum Experience: 3-5 years, combined education/experience acceptable as substitute for minimum experience
Minimum Education: Master's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education and project administration experience in specialized field represented by project.
Experience supporting primary or academic research projects is a plus
Aptitude for learning and using tools that keep our hybrid team working as one unit: Google Workspace, Asana, Slack, Canva, etc.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree—degrees in public policy, urban planning, social sciences, environmental studies, or other related fields are a plus
At least 3-5 years experience leading multi-stakeholder, cross-functional projects
Recent work experience within a company, non-profit, university, or government agency designing products, policies, or programs related to health or well-being issues
Track record of creative problem-solving and being solution-driven
Demonstrated capacity to quickly understand and synthesize complex ideas and concepts
Strong analytical and communications skills—you must be able to quickly and clearly communicate in writing

Responsibilities

Develop project strategies and scopes of work in consultation with faculty, research partners, partner organizations, and the Public Exchange strategy & operations team to execute projects for maximum social impact.
Develop long- and short-term project plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
Manage day-to-day workflow of project portfolio and support research teams to execute against the project plans.
Lead all project kick-off, routine partner and research team meetings, as well as final presentation meetings.
Maintain strong relationships with all project partners, research team members, and key project stakeholders.
Serve as the primary point of contact for project partners, ensuring they remain updated on project progress and that deliverables exceed expectations.
Operate with attention to risk management, information security, contractual compliance, with a keen eye for potential pitfalls or emerging risks.
Work with Public Exchange’s operations team to manage project finances, ensuring timely transfer of funds to research team members and payment of direct research expenses.
Lead project communications, coordinating with Public Exchange Communications Manager as well as university and partner communications teams, including developing presentation decks, messaging, press releases, web and social media content, videos, and other materials.
Continually seek strategic opportunities to build on project work, deliver for partners, and increase project impact.
Serve as the primary student talent coordinator for Public Exchange projects.
Assist with high-priority operations projects across all of Public Exchange’s projects and team members.