Program Manager. Fusion Energy Technologies

The Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) at the University of Arizona is excited to welcome applicants for the role of Program Manager, Fusion Energy Technologies.

Under the direction of the Special Advisor to the SVPRP the Program Manager will be a lead point of contact and responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of efforts in support of the fusion energy technologies strategic initiative. The Program Manager will work with the senior leadership, research teams, faculty and other stakeholders across campus to help identify and develop research and funding opportunities. The successful candidate will be expected to lead and manage faculty teams and initiative projects building strong, collaborative relationships with international, federal, state, and local government agencies and corporate affiliates.

Research is essential to improving lives, strengthening communities, preparing a competitive workforce, and driving solutions to the grand challenges we face.

The Office of Research and Partnerships expands the capacity of the University of Arizona research enterprise by fostering purposeful convergence and building powerful collaborations across academia, industry, government, and communities. Through this work, we translate discovery into impact-advancing knowledge that serves Arizona and resonates far beyond.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Research Program Management:

• Identify research and grant proposal funding opportunities,
  manage large interdisciplinary and diverse projects, including but not limited
  to interdisciplinary faculty teams.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with international,
  federal, state, and local government agencies and corporate affiliates.
• Manage the submission of grants to federal sponsors with
  faculty across campus.
• Manage engagement, reporting, and interaction with
  international, federal, state, and local government agencies, sponsors, and
  corporate affiliates to ensure project success.
• Lead long-range planning efforts in alignment with the
  strategic mission and the broader goals of the University and the Office of the
  Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships (SVPRP). Conduct annual
  strategic reviews, assess risk, evaluate performance metrics, and ensure
  adaptive growth strategies to sustain and expand program impacts.
• Collaborate with leadership to refine priorities and set
  measurable goals for research, development, and community engagement.

Research Partnership Development:

• Provide leadership in all phases of the business development
  lifecycle to develop and grow programs.
• Develop and foster relationships among university faculty
  and staff, various community leaders, government agencies, and other funding
  agencies. This will include identifying potential projects that meet the needs
  of funding agencies and partners, building effective interdisciplinary teams to
  develop the projects, leading the proposal writing process and contributing to
  the technical content.
• Determine strategic directions and develop and manage
  partnerships with outside organizations, including federal, state, and local
  agencies across the country.

Operations Management:

• Develop and implement the internal infrastructure, work
  collaboratively with the SVPRP leadership team and other entities across
  campus.
• May supervise and direct the efforts of program managers,
  administrative, technical, and management staff and students-direct day-to-day
  administrative aspects, including hiring, training, orientation, supervision,
  and evaluation.
• Make recommendations on compensation decisions, promotions,
  and work closely with a Sr. Human Resources Partner on managing employee
  relations issues.
• Review workloads and reassign tasks as required to ensure
  timely completion of projects or to take advantage of the special capabilities
  of the personnel.
• Foster a culture of growth and innovation by mentoring staff
  and early-career researchers, postdocs, and graduate students.
• Develop internal talent pipelines by facilitating
  professional development opportunities, leading internal training programs, and
  helping cultivate leadership potential across the university.
• Identify resource needs and recommend strategic hires to
  support emerging areas of research and program expansion.

Fiscal Management:

• Fiscally responsible in collaboration with the ORP Business
  Center in managing various sources of program funds and recurring
  budgets.
• Use independent judgment and authority in managing resources
  and specifying, ordering, and purchasing of equipment, supplies, and travel.

Other:

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams on
  communications (emails, newsletters, creating content, and writing) with
  internal and external stakeholders.
• Increase brand awareness, bring in new customers and
  coordinate public information efforts.
• Travel to visit possible funding sources to identify
  research directions and formulate long-term business development strategies for
  the fusion energy initiative.
• Additional duties may be assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Project management techniques/skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills
• Up-to-date computer skills, including internet and web-based
  interfaces
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to effectively evaluate projects/programs and
  produce comprehensive reports
• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks under deadlines
• Interact with University administration, faculty, staff,
  students, and postdocs.

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Doctoral Degree.
• Experience with NSF, DOE, DoD government policies and procedures, and data-driven decision-making processes.