RISE Project Manager

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The RISE Project Manager serves as a member of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) Research Development team. The OVCR will establish three RISE Project Manager positions to support UW–Madison's Research, Innovation, and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) themes: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity (EARTH), and Health and Well-Being (THRIVE). Each RISE Project Manager will be assigned primary responsibility for supporting one RISE theme and will serve as the principal project management and coordination resource for initiatives and activities within that theme. While administratively housed within OVCR Research Development, each position will initially report to the RISE HQ Lead responsible for one of the three RISE themes (AI, EARTH, or THRIVE). The RISE Project Manager will work closely with the RISE HQ Lead, RISE initiative leadership, and faculty leaders to advance strategic priorities, interdisciplinary research activities, stakeholder engagement efforts, and implementation goals. The position will receive ongoing direction regarding priorities within the assigned RISE theme and support the successful execution of related initiatives and activities. Collectively, the three positions provide project management, coordination, and implementation support for strategic RISE priorities and initiatives. While each position serves as the primary liaison for its assigned RISE theme, incumbents may contribute a limited portion of their effort to broader OVCR strategic priorities, research development activities, and emerging institutional initiatives as organizational needs evolve. The RISE Project Manager manages multiple concurrent projects from initiation through completion. The position serves as a strategic connector, facilitator, and project management resource responsible for coordinating interdisciplinary initiatives, supporting collaboration among faculty and stakeholders, developing and monitoring project plans, managing timelines and deliverables, and advancing strategic priorities established by RISE and OVCR leadership. The RISE Project Manager works closely with RISE HQ Leads, RISE initiative leadership, faculty, researchers, centers, institutes, campus partners, and external stakeholders to support successful implementation of initiative goals.

Requirements

At least three years of experience in project management, program administration, research administration, higher education administration, or a related field
Experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders, priorities, and deadlines
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, build productive working relationships, and exercise sound judgment
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Bachelor's degree
Eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment.

Nice To Haves

Five or more years of relevant professional experience
Experience supporting strategic initiatives, interdisciplinary collaborations, organizational change efforts, or research-related activities
Experience in higher education, research administration, healthcare, government, nonprofit, or another complex organization

Responsibilities

Identifies extramural funding opportunities related to subject matter within one or more of the RISE themes (5%)
Creates a project plan, monitors progress and performance against the project plan, and identifies, resolves, or escalates risks and issues (35%)
Sets priorities, allocates tasks, and collaborates with project staff to meet project targets and milestones (30%)
Manages the activities of outside contractors to ensure they are integrated into the project and that the organization receives satisfactory standards of service (5%)
Facilitates the estimation of project costs, resources, and time required to complete the assigned phase of a project and monitors activities, negotiates for resources, and assigns tasks to ensure these targets are met. Follows established change control processes if targets can no longer be met (10%)
Prepares regular reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team (15%)