New

Project Manager

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Apr 14, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S14985P
Working Title	Project Manager
Department	VPR-UGA Research Institute
About the University of Georgia	Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS or ORP
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	The work schedule will typically be Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm; however, some infrequent after-hours or weekend work may be required.
Advertised Salary	Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date	04/14/2026
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	05/11/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title	Grants Professional II
FLSA	Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications	- Project management and/or program coordination experience in an academic environment - Agency grant or contract project management and/or program coordination experience, particularly with Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, or similar government agency projects -Experience managing multiple programs, projects, and/or events simultaneously - Hold or plan to receive Project Management Professional ( PMP) certification
Position Summary	This is a highly responsible professional position providing critical project management for the UGA Research Institute ( UGARI) and its project portfolios, including but not limited to projects related to global security, engineering, energy, and environment. The position will be responsible for providing project management from project development and capture through execution for large, externally funded research programs and work closely with, and on complex projects to coordinate the activities of, the Office of Strategic Research Development ( OSRD), Research Security, and Sponsored Projects Administration ( SPA). This position will report to the Senior Project Manager for UGARI.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Project management and/or program coordination experience in an academic environment Agency grant or contract project management and/or program coordination experience: experience with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, or similar government agency projects is highly desirable Experience managing multiple programs, projects, and/or events simultaneously Hold or plan to receive Project Management Professional (PMP) certification Extensive knowledge of the methods, procedures, and techniques used in grant preparation, coordination, and implementation at an academic institution Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with university personnel, state and federal agencies, and private organizations Ability to lead as well as work as a team member with all project partners and staff Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to speak and listen effectively via telephone and in-person Ability to articulate the University's mission and capabilities effectively to external audiences Ability to present information to various audiences composed of faculty, stakeholders, partners, and sponsors Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion Exceptional attention to detail, responsiveness, organization, and task prioritization skills Ability to remember, organize, and consistently focus on a large amount of detail and come to appropriate conclusions Exhibit exceptional professionalism, emotional intelligence, and well-developed listening skills Strong concierge-like customer service orientation and commitment. Exhibit a very high level of initiative Ability to work independently and with multiple partners and stakeholders in a deadline-oriented environment Experience assigning tasks and monitoring progress to meet project needs and deadlines Ability to participate in the evaluation and analysis of existing approaches and procedures and to assist in devising new approaches Experience with project management software and/or tools
Physical Demands	Standard Office Environment Sitting for extended periods of time Travel to meetings both on and off-campus Driving as needed to perform job duties Walking up multiple flights of stairs may be required in some meeting locations
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	Yes
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	Yes
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	No
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Provide project management and coordination services for faculty projects during the period of performance; customize services provided based on project needs throughout post-award:

Serve as the administrative point of contact for project activities
Create and maintain custom project timelines, planning documents, etc. to ensure project milestones and activities occur on schedule
Routinely provide project status updates to UGARI leadership and maintain any project tracker/project management tools with current statuses
Coordinate telephone and written correspondence to set up in-person and online meetings with the project team, partners, stakeholders, and/or sponsors
Understand and communicate project deadlines to project personnel
Organize, coordinate, facilitate, and present non-technical information meetings with internal and external project personnel, sponsors, and stakeholders
Coordinate documentation, meetings, sponsor requirements, etc. with UGA research administrators, such as unit business offices, Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), and Office of Research
Ensure consistent communication and accurate reporting on the impacts of research, including financial reports, qualitative narratives, and quantitative outcomes
Perform monthly review of project budgets, expense activity, and payroll transactions, and work with PI, relevant business office, and/or central offices to resolve any issues or discrepancies in a timely manner and provide financial updates to sponsor as needed in collaboration with internal partners
Perform periodic reviews of project compliance with security, reporting, and training requirements
Contribute to non-technical aspects of project reporting, such as compiling report sections, formatting, and reviewing reports relative to reporting requirements
Maintain files and documents related to the project in designated digital locations for the entire life-cycle of the project and regularly review access to documents as project team evolves or onboards/offboards new members
Coordinate the project close-out

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Foster and facilitate new research opportunities and perform duties and responsibilities related to pre-award activities:

Independently research existing information about large federally sponsored mission agency grants programs, sponsors, agencies, and potential collaborators; use this information to strategize regarding development of individual proposals
Create proposal plans with timelines and checklists for submission and document creation for major grant proposals in coordination with UGARI team and collaborate closely with faculty team to encourage adherence
In collaboration with the project team, create and/or complete required forms, templates, or documents for proposal submission, including but not limited to internal or external budget templates, budget justifications, and cover sheets
Coordinate, lead, facilitate, and participate in events and meetings as assigned, including participants internal and external to UGA; coordination may include booking venues/event spaces, working with internal/external vendors to arrange catering and/or transportation, preparing presentation slides, ensuring audio/visual capabilities of spaces, submitting documentation and invoices for payment, etc.
Collaborate with faculty PIs to develop and implement compelling proposal strategy and lead the proposal team in accordance with this strategy throughout the proposal development process to ensure cohesiveness of proposal vision and competitiveness of proposal
Actively participate in conferences, workshops, and professional meetings
In collaboration with UGARI team, implement opportunities for external partners to engage with UGARI, the Office of Research, and/or Schools and Colleges across UGA

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Professional engagement and development:

Stay informed of changes in UGA/USG policies and procedures and provide guidance to faculty PIs as needed
Attend various meetings such as internal UGARI sync meetings, meetings hosted by the Office of Research, and trainings hosted by USG/UGA Learning and Development
Regularly cross-train with other members of the UGARI team
Attend webinars, meetings, trainings, and events related to project management, grant writing, sponsored project administration, agency/sponsor relationships (e.g. NSF virtual conferences, DoD, etc.)

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities	Other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, research for special issues and assisting with special events or projects as directed by UGARI leadership
Percentage of time	5