Senior Project Manager, Institute Operations

University of Virginia•Charlottesville, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Virginia is seeking a Senior Project Manager to support the stand‑up, launch, and early operations of the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology (MIoB). Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role provides high‑level project leadership and direct hands-on execution support for a new, mission‑driven biotechnology institute focused on translating scientific discovery into meaningful patient impact. The incumbent must operate with a high degree of independence, applying sound judgment, initiative, and discretion to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a dynamic, fast‑paced, pan‑university environment. This role requires a self‑directed individual who anticipates needs, identifies solutions, and advances work without prompting while consistently acting with integrity, stewarding institutional resources responsibly, and keeping people and patient impact at the center of execution. The Senior Project Manager serves as a central integrator for MIoB’s early‑stage initiatives and acts as an extension of Institute leadership, translating strategic intent into executable plans, dependable outcomes, and scalable ways of working. As the Institute matures, this role is expected to contribute to the development of a formal Project Management Office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
5+ years of relevant professional project management experience required.
PMP certification or similar is required within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree
Increasingly responsible project or program management experience.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives in environments characterized by ambiguity and change.
Experience in academic research, life sciences, or similarly complex institutional environments.
Experience working in start‑up, launch, or organizational build‑out contexts.
Demonstrated leadership potential, including informal mentoring or coordination of others.
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Partnering closely with the Chief Operating Officer to plan, execute, and oversee complex projects and strategic initiatives essential to the stand‑up and opening of MIoB, operating independently, and anticipating emerging needs while exercising sound judgment and discretion.
Overseeing the progress of Institute‑wide projects, action items, and leadership‑driven initiatives, frequently advancing work without instruction and ensuring timely, high‑quality outcomes that reflect responsible stewardship of time, funding, and organizational capacity.
Translating strategic direction into clear, executable project plans by defining scope, sequencing work, managing timelines, identifying dependencies, and tracking risks—while maintaining line‑of‑sight to scientific excellence and patient impact.
Serving as a central point of coordination across faculty leaders, research teams, administrative units, central university offices, and external collaborators, fostering trust, collaboration, and a people‑first approach in all interactions.
Organizing and leading project meetings; preparing agendas, documenting decisions and action items, and ensuring timely follow‑through and closure, with an emphasis on clarity, accountability, and momentum.
Preparing written updates, briefings, dashboards, and leadership materials that synthesize complex information, support effective decision‑making, and communicate progress in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Establishing and maintaining project documentation, tracking tools, and reporting mechanisms appropriate to an early‑stage institute, applying project management rigor thoughtfully and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Proactively identifying risks, issues, and decision points; proposing practical solutions and escalating matters appropriately based on impact, urgency, and institutional context.
Introducing repeatable project management practices, templates, and workflows that support consistency and scalability as MIoB grows, reflecting an entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with innovation and adaptation.
Informally mentoring and guiding others involved in project execution, modeling strong project management discipline, integrity, and a collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach.
Supporting Institute leadership with special projects, time‑sensitive initiatives, and efforts that require independence, adaptability, and trustworthiness.
Performing other duties independently as assigned in support of MIoB’s mission and long‑term success.