How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Summary
The Michigan Program for Advancing Cultural Transformation (M-PACT) in the Biomedical and Health Sciences at the University of Michigan will hire 30 new tenure-track assistant professors (M-PACT Scholars) into three interdisciplinary research clusters: Basic Biomedical Research; Clinical-Translational Research; and Social and Behavioral Research. M-PACT will harness existing infrastructure and resources, new institutional investments in training and development, and world-class research expertise and mentorship to nurture these early-career faculty for success as independent investigators and to build a sustainable scientific community that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming.
The Senior Project Manager position is central to the realization of M-PACT's objectives. This role involves the oversight of various projects critical to advancing cultural transformation in the biomedical and health sciences. The successful candidate will exhibit a high degree of organization, enthusiasm, and the capability to manage multiple projects with concurrent deadlines. The role demands a proactive approach to managing projects from conception through to completion, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and effectively integrating and managing project tasks.
The primary duty of this role involves leading and managing projects that are directly related to the management or general business operations of M-PACT. This includes strategic planning, resource management, and ensuring projects align with M-PACT's goals of fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community. The Senior Project Manager will engage in activities directly related to assisting with the running or servicing of M-PACT. This encompasses areas such as project planning, implementation, change management, and coordination of administrative and promotional activities, supporting the broader management and operational goals of M-PACT. While the primary focus is on internal operations, the role may involve working directly with the University of Michigan's broader academic and research community on project management and implementation strategies that facilitate cultural transformation within the biomedical and health sciences.
Project Management
Responsible for the management, performance, and completion of multiple concurrent projects and provides a single point of contact for those projects.
Manage projects of various sizes, including planning, execution, evaluation, and transitioning to the three M-PACT Cores.
Responsible for defining, scoping, planning, communicating, overseeing, and executing the assigned projects (e.g., M-PACT and NIH data collection and information gathering for NIH reporting).
Represent M-PACT to other U-M units and administrators and outside units with general authority to make commitments on administrative policies and procedures.
Create, update, and manage project documentation, including scope of work, schedule, and action items.
Produce and publish project communications, including writing and reviewing project deliverables and M-PACT and NIH communications (i.e., bi-annual newsletter, annual NIH reports, and updating the NIH FIRST website)
Responsible for project coordination responsibilities directed toward supporting the M-PACT Principal Investigator/ M-PACT Administrative Core and Leadership to ensure operational efficiencies.
Meeting and Event Planning and Coordination
Manage and lead the planning and execution of large public conferences and events in both short- and long-term notice (i.e., Annual M-PACT Futures Conference)
Schedule and lead project meetings, create and distribute agendas, meeting notes, and actions for recurring NIH Administrative Work Group meetings (i.e., Data and Evaluation Working Group, NIH FIRST PI-MPI Working Group)
Schedule and disseminate meeting agendas and minutes, including meetings with the M-PACT school representative and annual administrative meetings (Executive Committee, External Advisory Board, Dean's Advisory Group, Scholars Advisory Committee)
Project Planning
Responsible for assembling project teams, assigning individual responsibilities, identifying appropriate partners and resources needed, documenting risks and issues, and developing the schedule to ensure timely completion of projects.
Responsible for the project planning, design, build, implementation, and close phases.
Responsible for providing timely and relevant communication to management, allowing informed decision-making regarding potential project risks, resource conflicts, and scope changes.
Develop documentation for various projects, including project plans and reports to stakeholders.
Project Implementation and Change Management
Inform M-PACT PI and Managing Director regarding the status and communication of specific projects.
Collaborate with M-PACT Core Leads, school representatives, and M-PACT staff to positively advance project objectives.
Clearly communicate with project stakeholders and team members in a timely fashion regarding project status, issues, and questions
Develop scoping documents and adjust priorities and timelines based on resource conflicts, resource availability, and other constraints.
Identify and develop process improvements; provide recommendations on next steps.
Anticipate and identify potential problems or risks and present alternative solutions.
Assist in implementation planning, working directly with M-PACT Cores affected by change.
Identify and develop process improvements; provides recommendations on next steps.
Develop training, communication, and implementation plans.
Coordinate and track implementation efforts.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
A minimum of four years of project management experience, including the ability to lead meetings, take minutes, track key decision points, prioritize deliverables, resolve conflicts, maintain issue lists, and manage a project plan.
The required skills and abilities include leadership, confidentiality, timeliness, customer service, organization, prioritization, troubleshooting, and working independently.
The candidate must possess the ability to work under pressure in a complex environment, multi-task, and guide other support staff on the administrative team. Flexibility, dependability, and excellent interpersonal, organizational, and technological skills are also key attributes of the successful candidate.
Experience leading groups and engaging people in developing and working towards shared goals. Ability to learn and understand concepts/ideas, determine what is relevant to various audiences, and communicate that information concisely using appropriate channels.
Ability to work with and communicate effectively and professionally with all members of the UM community, including technical subject matter experts, departmental representatives, and leadership.
Flexible, adaptable, and willing to take on a variety of projects as needed to support the overall organization.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask.
Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, database applications, and project management applications.
Desired Qualifications*
Experience executing high-level, high-visibility projects with varied stakeholders.
Experience in higher education administration.
Knowledge of U-M and OVPR policies and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to manage various aspects of a complex organization.
A problem-solver who understands the importance of establishing relationships with partners and customers.
Strong desire to create efficiencies.
Strong communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to adapt to different interaction styles. Excellent customer service skills.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.