Senior Program Manager - Planning and Environment, Cooperative Research Program

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine•Town of Johnstown, NY

2d•$105,230 - $164,420•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager provides senior-level program management for a complex, diverse portfolio of cooperative transportation research projects in planning and environment. The role combines portfolio-level accountability with hands-on management of complex, high-visibility research projects and has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Reporting to the Program Director, the position exercises substantial independent judgment in managing portfolios, resolving complex issues, and engaging with volunteers, sponsors, research agencies, and other stakeholders. It is accountable for research quality, operational effectiveness, and timely delivery across multiple topic areas while aligning project activities with division priorities. The position leads and facilitates research with expert panels and supports projects from panel formation and proposal review through planning, contracting, monitoring, quality review, publication, and dissemination. It also provides staff support in developing the annual NCHRP research program and coordinates with sponsors, subject-matter experts, administrative offices, and colleagues. This is a hybrid office/telecommute position with an expected onsite percentage of 60% and occasional travel between National Academies facilities and off-site meeting or sponsor locations. The role requires a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, or a relevant bachelor’s degree accompanied by significant professional experience demonstrating advanced expertise and responsibility, and at least six years of related professional experience.

Requirements

Knowledge of cooperative or committee-driven research programs and familiarity with transportation research sponsors and policy environments.
Understanding of the National Academies’ mission, structure, and culture.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage complex portfolios and competing priorities.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
Ability to manage funding-related matters and high-risk or complex research initiatives.
Ability to operate with substantial independence, sound judgment, and discretion in a complex organizational environment.
Ability to solve complex problems involving significant variety and serve as a resource to others in resolving issues.
Ability to work effectively in team-based settings and build and sustain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups.
Ability to perform effectively in complex, high-impact environments with multiple priorities and demands.
Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to transportation, highways, public policy, research management, or a closely related field; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with significant professional experience demonstrating advanced subject-matter expertise, management of complex projects or programs, and independent research, analysis, or policy development responsibilities.
At least six years of related professional experience.
Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science, transportation practice, or policy through successful completion and effective dissemination of National Academies activities or equivalent outside activities.
Significant experience managing applied research projects or programs.
Ability to be visible on camera for remote meetings; use a computer and applicable hardware/software and multiple collaboration platforms; focus, concentrate, and multitask; begin work at the required time; carry a laptop and other mobile devices; commute; travel between facilities and off-site locations; work across time zones when traveling internationally; perform onsite work when required; interact in person with individuals and large groups; and work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

Review panel nominations and coordinate the formation of project panels.
Facilitate project panel meetings, support panel chairs, and follow up with meeting notes and action items.
Prepare materials, schedules, and documentation for effective panel deliberations and project decisions.
Document panel input, decisions, and recommendations to support project implementation and follow-up.
Work with prospective proposers to resolve matters related to submitting acceptable proposals.
Evaluate research proposals for technical merit and participate in selecting research agencies.
Support fair, objective, and well-documented proposal review and research agency selection processes.
Become familiar with selected research plans and work with research agencies and project panels to develop detailed working plans.
Work with administrative offices to provide information needed for contract negotiation and execution.
Clarify project objectives, technical expectations, schedules, deliverables, and performance requirements with research agencies and project panels.
Assemble and submit complete contract packages in accordance with CRP processes.
Manage contracts by establishing clear project objectives and technical approaches.
Visit research agencies as appropriate to understand their organizations and facilities, monitor work, and assess progress against schedules.
Review monthly, quarterly, and other progress reports required for program administration.
Prepare compliance reports documenting project progress and assessing research agency performance and accomplishments.
Conduct site visits as appropriate, critically review project progress, and recommend improvements when needed.
Review research reports for clarity, completeness, adherence to CRP format, and fulfillment of the approved research plan.
Recommend whether research products and deliverables are acceptable.
Interpret project findings for their applicability to improving transportation practices.
Prepare research results digests and other derivative products, and prepare forewords for published reports.
Present research findings at technical meetings and other professional forums.
Coordinate with agencies and subject-matter experts to ensure projects benefit from available knowledge.
Provide staff support to the NCHRP oversight committee, AASHTO, and FHWA in formulating the annual NCHRP research program by reviewing and evaluating submitted problem statements.
Work effectively with sponsors, volunteers, research agencies, administrative offices, and colleagues to support timely, high-quality research delivery.
Maintain confidentiality and handle secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information in accordance with organizational policies and procedures; safeguard it from unauthorized disclosure and provide guidance on confidentiality practices.