ATP-Bio Cross-Functional Team Project and Program Manager

Position Overview:
The ideal candidate for the ATP-Bio Project Manager role at the NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio) is a highly skilled manager, a strategic thinker, and a collaborative leader with proven experience supporting complex change initiatives. This role requires a deep understanding of adaptive leadership, team dynamics, and program management within a multifaceted, cross-institutional environment. The Project Manager will be a key member of the leadership team for ATP-Bio, working closely with Center, Pillar, and Component Directors and Management Staff to drive forward the Center's research, innovation, workforce, and outreach priorities. The successful candidate will provide leadership in program development and implementation, integration, collaboration, and execution, while ensuring alignment with the NSF's performance metrics and ATP-Bio's long-term sustainability goals.

Position Summary:
The Project Manager will serve in two functions.

1) As a strategic partner to the Center's leadership teams, overseeing key programs and projects that span across the center's pillars (research, innovation, workforce development, diversity, and inclusion) and ethics and public policy component.

2) With a focus on operational efficiency and integration, the PM will lead and participate in a cross-functional team of managers, coordinators, and specialists in the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of ATP-Bio's programs, fostering collaboration among internal and external stakeholders. The PM is also expected to also serve in a programmatic development and implementation capacity within the cross-functional team. The role involves managing complex portfolios, driving operational improvements, developing strategic recommendations, and contributing to high-level decision-making. The PM will play a key role in ensuring compliance with NSF and University requirements, staying well-informed about grant conditions, and assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations.

This position is a full-time, 12-month, hybrid, annually renewable appointment within the academic administrative (P&A) employee group.

Primary Responsibilities:
Cross-Functional Team Management: Lead and manage a team of programmatic managers, coordinators, and specialists, providing direction, support, and professional development. The team is responsible for implementing priorities determined by Pillar Directors and supports the conceptualization, design, and execution of ATP-Bio's strategic programs to align with the center's goals in research, innovation, education, ethics, and diversity.

Portfolio Management (70%)
* Program Oversight: Oversee multiple programs and projects across the center, ensuring timely and successful execution. Apply project management principles and tools to guide teams through iterative cycles of planning, execution, and review.
* Process Improvement: Conduct in-depth analyses to identify opportunities for operational improvements, recommending strategies to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and integration across ATP-Bio functions.
* Strategic Consulting: Act as a trusted advisor to Center leadership on programmatic and operational matters, providing insights to inform decision-making and policy development.

Administrative & Operations Leadership (30%)
* Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a liaison between Center leadership, faculty, staff, students, and both internal and external partners, facilitating communication and collaboration across diverse constituencies.
* Reporting & Communication: Develop content for presentations, reports, and communications, promoting ATP-Bio's activities and outcomes. Assist with the preparation of materials for NSF Site Visits and other public-facing forums.
* Policy and Procedural Development & Implementation: Contribute to the development and improvement of operational policies and procedures to enhance center-wide integration and achieve strategic goals.
* Event Coordination: Lead or support the coordination of ATP-Bio events, including the annual meeting, NSF site visits, and conferences. Support logistics and programming for these high-profile events.
* Finance and Budget Compliance: Ensure resource allocation aligns with strategic objectives and complies with University policies, regulatory requirements, and NSF guidelines. Utilize UMN purchasing systems as necessary to support programming, budget management, and financial processes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
* Manage strategic planning and execution for ATP-Bio's research, workforce, diversity, and innovation portfolios.
* Supervise and provide guidance to program managers, coordinators, and other staff within the programmatic leadership team. Assigns self with direct responsibilities for select programmatic
development, coordination, and implementation.
* Develop and refine systems and procedures for project tracking, impact assessment, and resource allocation.
* Ensure successful implementation of pillar-specific goals and projects, driving measurable impact across the center.
* Foster collaborative relationships within ATP-Bio and with external partners, advisors, and stakeholders.
* Represent ATP-Bio in meetings with advisory boards, external stakeholders, and NSF representatives.
* Develop and manage project timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
* Prepare content for communications, promotional materials, and reports to ensure consistent messaging across platforms.
* Contribute to budget planning, strategic decision-making, and long-term vision development for ATP-Bio.
* Facilitates team transitions and supports personnel development.

Work Mode and Schedule: This position is based at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus and requires a hybrid work schedule (on-campus and remote). Travel is expected to be approximately 10-15% over the year. Work hours generally follow a Monday through Friday schedule, though occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary.

Supervision: The Project Manager will report directly to the ATP-Bio Administrative Director and receive programmatic oversight from the Center Director and Pillar Directors. This position will work within a matrix structure, collaborating with multiple teams across the center.

Qualifications:
Required:
* Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of experience in program management, with a strong background in cross-functional team leadership and strategic program development.
* Advanced proficiency in project management, with the ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously.
* Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
* Strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven recommendations.
* Demonstrated ability to lead and support organizational change in a collaborative, inclusive environment.
* Experience working in a matrixed, multi-institutional setting.
* Proven track record of managing budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements.
* Ability to work independently and make informed decisions with minimal oversight.

Preferred:
* Master's degree or equivalent advanced qualifications.
* Familiarity with NSF requirements and grant management processes.
* Experience with project management software and systems.
* Experience working in STEM fields, particularly with programs focused on education, outreach, diversity and inclusion.
* Experience designing and delivering technical assistance or capacity-building programs.

The mission of the NSF Center for Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio) is to make transformative discoveries, train a diverse workforce, and connect resources and partnerships to ethically translate technologies for storage and distribution of living biological systems. ATP-Bio's vision is to stop biological time allowing living products to be readily available across the globe to advance healthcare, biodiversity, and food supply and sustainability.

Pay Range: $83,000 - $90,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Must be eligible to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).