Project Manager, Construction Industry Institute in Cockrell School of Engineering

University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The CII Research Project Manager will coordinate the research portfolio, manage project information and reporting systems, and support multiple research initiatives. The position will collaborate with leading academic and industry professionals, use Power BI and Salesforce to develop dashboards and reports, and translate data into actionable insights. This role supports high-impact research that is presented at CII events, published for industry use, and applied to improve construction practices worldwide.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level