Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Research Project Management

The Manager of Research Project Management provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a team of research professionals supporting complex research programs, centers, and initiatives; oversees the planning, delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of research project management services while ensuring projects are executed with scientific rigor, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of financial and organizational resources; partners with Principal Investigators, faculty, research leadership, sponsors, and institutional stakeholders to establish strategic priorities, optimize project management practices, and advance the University's research mission; leads organizational planning, workforce development, process improvement, and resource allocation to strengthen research capabilities and achieve long-term research objectives.

This profile is intended for managers responsible for leading research project management functions supporting multiple research programs, departments, institutes, or centers. Positions assigned to this profile are accountable for personnel leadership, operational management, strategic planning, and the overall effectiveness of research project management services.

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Research Project Managers and related staff; oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and professional development
• Establish performance expectations, monitor workload distribution, evaluate operational effectiveness, and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence
• Direct the delivery of research project management services across multiple research programs, centers, institutes, or portfolios to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope and budget, and in accordance with sponsor and institutional requirements
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve standardized project management methodologies, governance frameworks, operating procedures, workflows, tools, templates, and reporting practices to enhance consistency, efficiency, and research outcomes
• Oversee research project infrastructure, resource planning, capacity management, and staff assignments to effectively balance competing priorities and organizational objectives
• Evaluate research methodologies, project execution strategies, data management plans, operational processes, and project performance metrics; recommend improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, scientific integrity, and organizational effectiveness
• Serve as the primary liaison with Principal Investigators, faculty, leadership, sponsors, advisory boards, regulatory agencies, and external collaborators; facilitate multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research initiatives and strategic partnerships
• Direct governance activities, monitor project portfolios, evaluate risks, resolve escalated operational issues, and ensure accountability for project milestones, deliverables, and sponsor commitments
• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and University regulations, policies, and ethical standards governing research, including human subjects, animal care, biosafety, export controls, data security, responsible conduct of research, and other applicable requirements
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of project reporting processes; ensure accurate operational, financial, compliance, and performance reporting for investigators, sponsors, and institutional leadership
• Develop and administer departmental and project management operating budgets; oversee financial planning, resource allocation, expenditures, staffing forecasts, and financial reporting; advise leadership regarding funding strategies and resource utilization
• Collaborate with research accounting, sponsored programs, finance, payroll, compliance, and administrative partners to ensure effective financial and operational management of research activities
• Lead strategic initiatives and special projects that improve research operations, expand organizational capabilities, strengthen project management practices, and enhance institutional research competitiveness
• Partner with research leadership to develop strategic plans, establish long-term organizational priorities, identify opportunities for program growth, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and support the expansion of the University's research portfolio
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, regulations, and best practices in research administration and project management; implement innovative approaches that improve organizational performance and research effectiveness
• Represent the research organization on institutional committees, governance groups, and cross-functional initiatives related to research operations, project management, and strategic planning

Level:

– Principal Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates awareness of broad issues and management trends. Applies exemplary management principles. Evaluates impact of policy and adjusts accordingly. Ensures appropriate skills are developed and maintained within team/unit. Realigns staff responsibilities to meet desired changes. Provides administrative and policy direction. Develops and articulates broad goals. Fosters collaboration between units. Engages in written and verbal communications that reach a university-wide and/or broad external audience. Develops and implements solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees teams of other supervisors/managers
– Leads a business unit

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Plans, forecasts, develops, and/or approves budgets
– Typically has final signature authority for business unit

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that may have a significant impact on multiple units and/or the University
– Regularly develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve the most difficult problems
– Creates an environment that encourages imaginative solutions to problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined and may be frequently changing
– Sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Oversees completed work of others and is accountable for unit results
– Delegates advanced tasks to others and provides guidance to team members

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– May represent the University externally
– Collaborates closely with team members and other leaders across the University
– Communicates a compelling vision that inspires and motivates others

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $115,860.00
• MidPoint – $144,804.00
• Maximum – $173,844.00

• Consulting
• Data management
• Operations management
• Presentation Skills
• Project Management
• Regulatory compliance
• Reporting
• Research methods
• Resource allocation
• Strategic Planning