Research Project Manager at Susan Hirt Hagen CORE, Penn State Behrend

Penn State University • Erie, PA

8d • $65,508 - $94,980 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE) at Penn State Behrend is seeking a Research Project Manager to support and advance the Center’s growing portfolio of applied research, program evaluation, community-engaged scholarship, and grant-funded initiatives. This position will play a central role in managing research and evaluation projects that support youth development, education, health, and community initiatives throughout the Erie region and beyond. The Research Project Manager will ensure effective planning, implementation, coordination, compliance, and reporting across a diverse portfolio of community-based and externally funded programs. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with CORE leadership, research staff, faculty partners, community organizations, school districts, government agencies, and Behrend students. This position requires a highly organized and collaborative professional with strong project management skills, experience coordinating research and evaluation activities, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to compassionately mentor students and staff. CORE’s mission is to cultivate a holistic, intentional, and interdisciplinary approach to positive youth development by promoting resiliency and prosocial behavior across the entire ecosystem in which surrounds a child. Through its Community Outreach and Research and Evaluation divisions, CORE develops evidence-based programming, conducts applied research, supports grant-funded initiatives, and provides evaluation services that strengthen communities and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. CORE recently moved into a new 12,000-square-foot facility on the Behrend campus designed to support collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research and evaluation initiatives that directly impact youth, families, schools, and communities while working within a collaborative interdisciplinary team at a nationally recognized university.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in psychology, education, public health, social sciences, human services, nonprofit management, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 1+ year of demonstrated experience managing projects, programs, or research initiatives with multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, proposals, and professional correspondence.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and team-building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with community partners, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management or data management systems.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Experience with survey development, data collection, database management, or program evaluation.
• Experience with statistical and qualitative analysis software such as SPSS, R, Mplus, NVivo, or related programs.
• Experience with grant writing, grant management, or externally funded projects.
• Experience working with youth-serving organizations, educational settings, or community-based programs.
• Familiarity with IRB processes and research compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of multiple research, evaluation, and community-engaged projects.
• Develop and maintain project timelines, work plans, deliverables, budgets, and reporting schedules.
• Coordinate project activities among internal staff, faculty collaborators, students, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor project progress and ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, timelines, and institutional policies.
• Facilitate project meetings and maintain clear communication among project team members and partners.
• Identify project risks and develop solutions to ensure successful completion of project goals.
• Assist with the design, implementation, and management of quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation activities.
• Coordinate data collection processes, participant recruitment efforts, survey administration, and project logistics.
• Support data management procedures and maintain project documentation and records.
• Collaborate with research staff on data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination activities.
• Assist with the preparation of evaluation reports, presentations, manuscripts, and community-facing materials.
• Ensure research activities adhere to Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and ethical research standards.
• Assist with the development of grant proposals and funding applications.
• Coordinate proposal development timelines and gather required materials from project partners and collaborators.
• Support post-award management activities, including reporting requirements and deliverable tracking.
• Identify potential funding opportunities aligned with CORE’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with schools, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a liaison between CORE and external partners to support project implementation and sustainability.
• Represent CORE at meetings, conferences, community events, and professional development activities as appropriate.
• Support student involvement in research, evaluation, and community outreach initiatives.
• Maintain accurate project records, databases, and reporting systems.
• Prepare project summaries, progress reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Assist with strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts within CORE.
• Contribute to special projects and initiatives that advance the Center’s mission and growth.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

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