Technical Project Managers

University of Utah•Salt Lake City, UT

76d•$80,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Technical Project Manager is a high-trust, high-impact individual contributor responsible for leading complex, time-sensitive projects that are critical to Research Management & Compliance's mission. This role does not have direct reports and instead relies on strong influence, relationship-building, and cross-functional coordination to drive progress. The PM will frequently collaborate with IT units, central administrative partners, and other campus stakeholders to advance initiatives where the resourcing or technical expertise sits outside the department, as well as facilitate the department's internal projects during a time of significant change. The incumbent must thrive in a fast-paced environment, take initiative without hesitation, and operate autonomously while keeping the Executive Director appropriately informed. The role requires exceptional political acumen, strong accountability practices, and the ability to hold others to agreed-upon commitments without damaging relationships. Absolute discretion and confidentiality are non-negotiable. With strong performance, the position is expected to grow into expanded executive support and strategic operations responsibilities while maintaining ownership of selected long-term projects. Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Requirements

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Technical Project Managers, IV: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience leading complex projects without direct authority in a matrixed or decentralized organization.
Proven ability to build trust, hold others accountable diplomatically, and maintain collaborative relationships.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with the highest level of professionalism.
Demonstrated success managing competing priorities under pressure.
Strong initiative and resourcefulness; comfortable operating autonomously.
Experience in higher education, research administration, public sector operations, or similar environments preferred.
Training or experience in continuous process improvement (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
Familiarity with project management methodologies or certifications (PMP, CAPM, Agile, etc.).
Experience supporting senior executives or serving in an operational leadership role is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate projects by influencing and motivating cross-functional contributors, including partners outside the department, without relying on supervisory authority.
Establish project teams; define roles, expectations, and deliverables; and maintain alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
Conduct requirements gathering, end-user needs assessments, and develop technical specifications to support project goals.
Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies, and milestones.
Provide timely, concise, and accurate status updates to the Executive Director and key stakeholders.
Monitor project health, anticipate vulnerabilities, and proactively resolve issues.
Serve as a liaison between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring clear communication and shared understanding.
Build trust-based relationships with IT units and other campus partners to move initiatives forward.
Navigate institutional politics thoughtfully and strategically to secure alignment and cooperation.
Ensure accountability through strong communication and follow-up, preserving relationships while maintaining momentum.
Identify problems early, take initiative to address them, and work independently within defined authority.
Demonstrate a high level of curiosity; actively seek out information, resources, and subject-matter experts to remove barriers.
Operate with minimal instruction, checking in only when decisions exceed the scope of role authority or strategy.
Identify inefficiencies, risks, and gaps in workflows; propose and implement improvements.
Apply continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) formally or informally.
Support departmental efforts to build and sustain a culture of operational excellence.
Handle sensitive information including personnel, financial, and strategic matters with absolute confidentiality.
Exercise excellent judgment and maintain professionalism in all interactions.
Act as a trusted partner to the Executive Director, surfacing issues early and offering solutions or options.
Over time, expand into responsibilities that support executive operations, including: preparation and follow-up for high-level meetings, strategic communication support, long-term initiative tracking, operational oversight of selected programs