(Hybrid) Research Project Manager - WVU Cancer Institute

West Virginia University•West Virginia, WV

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The WVU Cancer Institute at West Virginia University is seeking a Research Project Manager for its Deputy Director’s Office and Research Strategy team. The position supports institute-wide initiatives across the Cancer Biology, Cancer Control and Population Science, and Experimental Therapeutics research programs, which contribute to WVUCI’s goal of becoming a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Working with the Senior Research Project Manager, faculty, research leaders, administrators, staff, and other stakeholders, the Research Project Manager plans and coordinates complex initiatives, including interdisciplinary research working groups, grant application development, and active research projects. The role monitors timelines, deliverables, risks, and outcomes, and helps develop project-management processes and infrastructure to advance WVUCI’s research priorities. The position involves planning and executing projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, monitoring progress and quality, managing risks, improving workflows, and preparing communications and documentation. WVU describes the role as hybrid and notes a 37.5-hour work week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, project management, or a health-related field.
At least two years of effective program or project management experience.
CITI certification, or ability to complete the certification within six months of hire.
Any equivalent combination of related education and experience will be considered.
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Ability to develop actionable project plans with defined responsibilities, milestones, timelines, deliverables, and measures of success.
Ability to coordinate concurrent initiatives, monitor progress, follow through on commitments, and manage competing priorities.
Ability to build productive relationships and work across disciplines, departments, and reporting structures.
Ability to facilitate meetings, clarify decisions and responsibilities, and document action items and next steps.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze information and develop practical solutions.
Initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment in resolving issues or determining when to collaborate, seek guidance, or escalate.
Clear, professional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to adapt communications to different audiences.
Attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, thorough, and well-organized work.
Adaptability and interest in improving processes, workflows, tools, and templates.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and general computer, internet, and virtual collaboration technologies.
Ability to learn and use project-management, data-tracking, communication, and institutional systems.
Professionalism, responsiveness, accountability, and ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

CAPM or PMP certification through PMI.org.
Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Manage cyclical and emerging initiatives that advance the WVU Cancer Institute’s research mission, including interdisciplinary research working groups, grant application development, and active research project support.
Partner with the Senior Research Project Manager, faculty, administrators, staff, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and deliver projects within established timelines.
Work with stakeholders to define project goals, scope, deliverables, milestones, timelines, resource needs, and measures of success.
Develop and maintain project plans identifying activities, responsibilities, dependencies, and deadlines.
Prioritize and coordinate multiple concurrent initiatives, adjusting plans as organizational needs and research priorities evolve.
Coordinate multidisciplinary and cross-departmental teams working toward shared research objectives.
Build and maintain professional relationships with faculty, research leaders, administrators, staff, and institutional partners.
Facilitate project meetings and working sessions, documenting and communicating decisions, responsibilities, and next steps.
Follow up on commitments, address coordination needs, and help stakeholders maintain momentum.
Monitor project goals, milestones, and deliverables and identify delays, dependencies, and barriers.
Research and analyze project metrics and evaluate progress, outcomes, and areas requiring additional attention.
Identify risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and escalate significant concerns when appropriate.
Review project materials and deliverables for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and alignment with expected standards.
Provide status updates communicating progress, accomplishments, risks, outstanding decisions, and next steps.
Evaluate project-management processes, procedures, and workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.
Recommend and implement tools, templates, procedures, and practices to strengthen support for institute-wide research initiatives.
Capture lessons learned and apply them to future project planning and execution.
Communicate with stakeholders through email, telephone, in-person and virtual meetings, written reports, and presentations.
Prepare project reports, briefings, presentations, meeting materials, and other resources for faculty, project teams, and institute leadership.
Maintain accurate, accessible project records, including plans, timelines, decisions, action items, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
Translate complex project information into concise, audience-appropriate communications that support informed decision-making.