Project Manager, Construction Industry Institute in Cockrell School of Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

6d•$70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Construction Industry Institute (CII) at The University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering is seeking a Project Manager to coordinate its research portfolio, manage project information and reporting systems, and support multiple research initiatives. This role involves collaboration with leading academic and industry professionals, utilizing Power BI and Salesforce for data analysis and reporting, and translating data into actionable insights. The position supports high-impact research that is presented at CII events, published for industry use, and applied to improve construction practices worldwide. The Cockrell School of Engineering is a top-ranked institution with a rich history of innovation and a strong connection to the vibrant city of Austin.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field
Five years of experience in project coordination, research administration, project management, or program management
Demonstrated experience with data management, business intelligence, reporting, and financial tracking
Proficiency in Power BI or a similar business intelligence tool for dashboard development and data visualization
Strong working knowledge of Salesforce for data management and reporting
Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and financial tracking
Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to independently manage deadlines and multiple complex projects
Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to maintaining accurate, current data
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and implement process improvements
Service-oriented mindset with excellent communication skills and the ability to provide timely, accurate information to various stakeholders
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate

Nice To Haves

Experience with budget management and financial reporting
Background in construction, engineering, or a related technical field
Experience working with academic researchers, industry professionals, or other volunteer stakeholders

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary resource for information related to CII’s research portfolio, including project status, schedules, activities, participation, and outcomes.
Manage portfolio-level research activities, records, systems, and reporting to support planning and organizational decision-making.
Maintain the master research calendar, coordinating research team activities, committee meetings, project milestones, deliverables, and related events.
Design, develop, and maintain dashboards using Power BI or similar business intelligence tools to provide visibility into research projects, portfolio activity, and member engagement.
Administer research data within Salesforce and other designated systems, including research team records, idea repositories, team rosters, attendance, project information, and related documentation.
Develop and maintain research workflows, process documentation, and RACI matrices to define roles, responsibilities, approvals, and project requirements.
Coordinate the preparation, publication, and distribution of research information through CII webpages, wikis, email communications, eblasts, and other communication channels.
Manage the research ideation process used to identify and evaluate future research and development topics, including surveys, workshops, planning meetings, and member engagement activities.
Manage and monitor research team activities throughout the project lifecycle, including project initiation, progress tracking, deliverable review, presentation preparation, and project closeout.
Track research objectives, milestones, deliverables, risks, issues, and action items, and provide status information to appropriate stakeholders.
Manage the annual Request for Qualifications process, including solicitation, submission tracking, evaluation coordination, selection documentation, and applicant communications.
Manage the annual Request for Nominations process, including member outreach, nomination tracking, deadline coordination, documentation, and reporting.
Coordinate research team kickoff meetings and related launch activities in collaboration with CII events staff and research leadership.
Maintain research team records, project documentation, meeting materials, and decision histories.
Coordinate the operational activities of the Research Committee in consultation with committee leadership and the Director of Research.
Plan and organize Research Committee meetings, including schedules, agendas, presentation materials, supporting documentation, and meeting logistics.
Prepare draft slides, agendas, reports, briefing materials, and other documents for committee review and use.
Document committee decisions, directives, action items, and follow-up requirements.
Coordinate implementation of Research Committee decisions across the research portfolio and individual research projects.
Facilitate communication between the Research Committee, research teams, CII staff, academic partners, and other stakeholders.
Translate committee direction into operational plans, project activities, timelines, and deliverable requirements.
Coordinate development and administration of the research budget in collaboration with the Director of Research and CII Financial Services staff.
Prepare preliminary budget drafts, expenditure reports, cost projections, and other financial information based on current and anticipated research activities.
Maintain historical records of research project costs, expenditures, commitments, and funding activity.
Track and reconcile research expenditures against approved budgets and financial records.
Monitor anticipated project costs and provide financial information to support budget forecasting and planning.
Prepare routine and ad hoc budget reports for research leadership and CII Financial Services staff.
Coordinate the initiation, review, routing, execution, and completion of research-related contracts and agreements.
Serve as a liaison between research staff, academic partners, CII Financial Services staff, and other stakeholders during the contracting process.
Track contract documentation, approvals, deadlines, status, and outstanding actions.
Maintain contract records and communicate status updates to appropriate stakeholders.
Coordinate contract and payment activities in accordance with applicable CII and University of Texas policies and procedures.
Review contracting and payment processes and recommend improvements to research-related workflows.
Coordinate with CII events and communications staff to support academic programs, research presentations, student poster sessions, and researcher-industry engagement activities.
Collect, organize, and provide research information needed for academic initiatives, meetings, publications, presentations, and events.
Coordinate communications with academic partners, researchers, committee members, and other stakeholders.
Manage the review and publication of academic and research content, including proofreading, formatting, routing, approval coordination, and publication.
Coordinate research team quality assurance and quality control activities, including progress updates, issue tracking, deliverable reviews, revisions, and approvals.
Track research deliverables and coordinate submission, review, revision, and completion requirements.
Coordinate research team rehearsals and presentation preparation in collaboration with CII event managers.
Support research lifecycle activities, including kickoff meetings, progress reviews, deliverable reviews, presentations, and project closeout.

Benefits

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds
Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
Tuition assistance
An expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets
Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card