Senior Project Manager, Science and Technology Strategy

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager for Science and Technology Strategy is a key individual contributor working closely with the Chancellor’s Executive Director for Science and Technology Strategy (Chancellor’s Executive Director) in advancing Vanderbilt University’s Chancellor’s institutional goals and priorities for science and technology development in areas including but not limited to energy innovation, defense and national security, health sciences and biotechnology, and quantum and AI technologies. Reporting to the Director of Projects on the Science and Technology Strategy team, the Senior Project Manager manages, plans, and coordinates projects to advance the Chancellor’s science and technology strategy mission and vision in coordination with key stakeholders within the Vanderbilt University community as well as external representatives and partners. The Senior Project Manager performs duties of a highly complex, detailed, and confidential nature, and maintains confidentiality regarding communication and information received and gathered in office on high-priority institutional objectives and activities. The Senior Project Manager manages, plans, and coordinates activities of executive level projects for the Science and Technology Strategy team, including ensuring that objectives are accomplished on time and on budget; developing or reviewing plans to determine timeline, budget, staffing, and other parameters and resources; establishing work plans; and coordinating project personnel. Using their extensive knowledge and experience with formal project management and analytics, the Senior Project Manager develops and implements new processes, technologies, and techniques to enhance the value and cost-effectiveness of projects undertaken by the Science and Technology Strategy team. In close collaboration with the Director of Projects, the Chancellor’s Executive Director, and university leadership, the Senior Project Manager contributes to the creation of new and refinement of existing institutional goals and priorities to enhance the university’s competitiveness in the science and technology space. With the Director of Projects, the Senior Project Manager is also an advisor and senior leadership team member working closely with the Chancellor’s Executive Director. In that capacity, the Senior Project Manager provides back-up for the Director of Projects, including researching potential strategic opportunities, composing written materials and presentations, and assisting with special events. The Senior Project Manager negotiates complex, challenging, and delicate situations to advance institutional priorities with professional maturity, judgment, discretion, and nuance. About the Work Unit: The Science and Technology Strategy team reports to the Chancellor’s Executive Director for Science and Technology Strategy and is charged with advancing Vanderbilt University’s Chancellor’s institutional goals and priorities for science and technology development in areas including but not limited to energy innovation, defense and national security, health sciences and biotechnology, and quantum and AI technologies. In service of this mission, the Chancellor’s Executive Director and the Science and Technology Strategy team work closely and collaboratively with the Chancellor, the Chancellor’s chief-of-staff and other key team members in the Chancellor’s office, as well as senior leaders from across the institution including the Vice Chancellors, Provost, Vice Provosts, and deans. (further work unit details to be added by the Chancellor’s office)

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
Minimum of seven years’ project management experience in higher education is required.
Experience with project management software is required.
Knowledge of higher education science and technology development culture and landscape.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail. Highly organized and well-coordinated.
Critical thinking skills as well as the ability to work successfully with minimal supervision and exercise independent thinking and judgment.
Advanced interpersonal skills to develop and maintain professional relationships within the university and communicate effectively with external representatives and partners.
Ability to manage complex projects, take initiative and multi-task, work well under pressure, meet deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and willingness to rapidly learn new skills as needed.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and prepare data reports and visualizations.
Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies within a complex and fast-paced organizational environment demanding high energy, discretion, patience, enthusiasm, and humor.

Nice To Haves

An Advanced Degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
Projects management certification from an accredited provider (e.g., PMP) is preferred.
Professional training in projects management is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages, plans, and coordinates activities of executive level strategic projects to ensure that goals or objectives of projects are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Develops or reviews project proposals or plans to determine time frame, funding limitations, procedures for accomplishing projects, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of projects.
Establishes work plan and multi-disciplinary staffing for each phase of project and arranges for recruitment or assignment of project personnel. Advises the Project Coordinator and other less experienced partners and collaborators from within or outside of the university to ensure human capital needs for institutional projects are met.
Works closely with the Project Coordinator on monitoring and ensuring appropriate progress on executive projects, including reviewing or preparing data analytics and project performance reports.
Using extensive knowledge and experience with formal project management and analytics, develops and implements new processes, technologies, and techniques to enhance the value and cost-effectiveness of projects.
Identifies and corrects problems as needed. Takes initiative to resolve project or interpersonal issues using own advanced training, knowledge of workflows and project mapping, as well as leveraging the wisdom of senior team members and other university departments as appropriate.
Communicates effectively and efficiently with parties within and outside the university, including high-profile collaborators and partners. Demonstrates a consistently collaborative, teamwork-oriented approach.
Demonstrates strong technical skills including thorough knowledge of project management software (e.g., Teams, Monday.com, Asana, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn, utilize, and train others on new technologies as needed with the goal of streamlining and improving team operations.
Maintain an extensive understanding of the university’s policies and procedures as well as the university’s goals and priorities in science and technology strategy.
In close collaboration with the Director of Projects, the Chancellor’s Executive Director, and university leadership, contributes to the creation of new and refinement of existing institutional goals and priorities to enhance the university’s competitiveness in the science and technology space.
Working closely with the Director of Projects, supports the pursuit of strategic opportunities including researching and prioritizing opportunities, supporting the recruitment of team members to target such opportunities, and collaborating with stakeholders on preparation of strategic proposals.
Independently or in collaboration with the Director of Projects, composes and drafts formal, high-level written materials and presentations.
Demonstrates strong verbal and writing skills, including briefing and agenda preparation, taking cogent and concise meeting minutes, and following up on key action items and deliverables.
With oversight from the Director of Projects, develops strong relationships and builds a broad network with internal and external partners and collaborators who are critical to the realization of the institution’s strategic objectives in science and technology.
Identifies complex challenges or threats to institutional initiatives or specific projects that would require coordination among multiple internal and external collaborators to address, including those that may be beyond the Senior Project Manager’s area of immediate responsibility, and recommends solutions.
In coordination with other Chancellor’s office staff and the Director of Projects, organizes special events (e.g., site visits/tours or networking events) including ensuring logistical support and facilitation as needed.
Performs data analysis, engage in market research and fact finding, and provide facts-based benchmarking and performance analysis including preparing data visualizations.