(Hybrid) Research Project Manager - WVU Cancer Institute

The WVU Cancer Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Research Project Manager in the Deputy Director's Office.

About the Opportunity

The WVU Cancer Institute (WVUCI) is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Research Project Manager to join its Research Strategy team and support institute-wide initiatives spanning the Cancer Biology, Cancer Control and Population Science, and Experimental Therapeutics research programs, each integral to WVUCI's goal of becoming a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center.

Working closely with the Senior Research Project Manager, faculty, research leaders, administrators, and staff, this position will plan and coordinate complex initiatives-including interdisciplinary research working groups, grant application development, and active research projects-while monitoring timelines, deliverables, risks, and outcomes.

The successful candidate will build strong cross-functional relationships and help develop the project-management processes and infrastructure needed to advance WVUCI's evolving research priorities.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Project Planning and Execution
  • Manage cyclical and emerging initiatives that advance the evolving priorities of the WVU Cancer Institute's research mission, including interdisciplinary research working groups, grant application development, and active research project support.
  • Partner with the Senior Research Project Manager, faculty, administrators, staff, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and deliver complex projects within established timelines.
  • Work with project stakeholders to define goals, scope, deliverables, milestones, timelines, resource needs, and measures of success.
  • Develop and maintain project plans that clearly identify activities, responsibilities, dependencies, and deadlines.
  • Independently prioritize and coordinate multiple concurrent initiatives, adjusting plans as organizational needs and research priorities evolve.
• Cross-Functional Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Coordinate the contributions of multidisciplinary and cross-departmental teams to advance shared research objectives.
  • Build and maintain productive professional relationships with faculty, research leaders, administrators, staff, and institutional partners.
  • Facilitate project meetings and working sessions, ensuring that decisions, responsibilities, and next steps are clearly documented and communicated.
  • Support progress across teams by following up on commitments, addressing coordination needs, and helping stakeholders maintain momentum.
  • Use collaboration, sound judgment, and influence to move initiatives forward in environments where project responsibilities span multiple teams and reporting structures.
• Project Monitoring, Risk Management, and Quality Assurance
  • Monitor progress toward project goals, milestones, and deliverables, identifying potential delays, dependencies, or barriers.
  • Conduct research and analysis to establish meaningful project metrics and evaluate progress, outcomes, and areas requiring additional attention.
  • Identify project risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies, escalating significant concerns when appropriate.
  • Perform quality-control reviews to ensure that project materials and deliverables are accurate, complete, consistent, and aligned with expected standards.
  • Provide regular status updates that clearly communicate progress, accomplishments, risks, outstanding decisions, and next steps.
• Process and Workflow Improvement
  • Evaluate existing project-management processes, procedures, and workflows to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.
  • Recommend and implement new tools, templates, procedures, and project-management practices that strengthen the team's ability to support institute-wide research initiatives.
  • Capture lessons learned and apply them to improve the planning and execution of future projects.
• Communication, Reporting, and Documentation
  • Communicate clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders through email, telephone, in-person and virtual meetings, written reports, and presentations.
  • Prepare project reports, briefings, presentations, meeting materials, and other resources for faculty, project teams, and institute leadership.
  • Maintain accurate and accessible project records, including plans, timelines, decisions, action items, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
  • Translate complex project information into concise, audience-appropriate communications that support informed decision-making

• Bachelor's degree in business, project management, or health-related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of effective program/project management experience required.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Certifications

• CITI certification or ability to complete such certification within six months of hire date.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Project Management and Execution: Demonstrates the ability to translate goals into actionable project plans with defined responsibilities, milestones, timelines, deliverables, and measures of success. Effectively coordinates multiple concurrent initiatives, monitors progress, and follows through to ensure timely completion.
• Organization, Prioritization, and Time Management: Organizes work strategically, manages competing priorities, and allocates time and resources effectively. Anticipates deadlines and dependencies, maintains momentum across projects, and adjusts priorities as organizational and research needs evolve.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Builds productive professional relationships with faculty, research leaders, administrators, staff, and other partners. Works effectively across disciplines, departments, and reporting structures and uses collaboration and influence to advance shared objectives without relying on formal authority.
• Meeting Facilitation and Coordination: Plans and facilitates productive meetings and working sessions. Encourages appropriate participation, maintains focus on objectives, clarifies decisions and responsibilities, and ensures that action items and next steps are documented and communicated.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Gathers and analyzes relevant information, identifies underlying issues, considers potential impacts, and develops practical solutions. Approaches complex or sensitive matters objectively and uses sound reasoning to support timely resolution and informed decision-making.
• Initiative, Resourcefulness, and Judgment: Works independently within established responsibilities and takes appropriate initiative to advance projects. Investigates issues, identifies potential solutions, and exercises sound judgment in determining what can be resolved independently and what requires collaboration, guidance, or escalation.
• Written, Verbal, and Interpersonal Communication: Communicates clearly, professionally, and persuasively through email, reports, presentations, telephone conversations, and in-person or virtual meetings. Listens actively, seeks clarification, responds appropriately, and adapts communication style, tone, and level of detail to the audience and situation.
• Attention to Detail and Quality: Produces accurate, thorough, and well-organized work. Carefully reviews data, documents, reports, presentations, and other project materials to ensure completeness, consistency, and alignment with established expectations.
• Adaptability and Continuous Improvement: Responds constructively to changing priorities, timelines, and project requirements. Identifies opportunities to improve processes, workflows, tools, and templates and supports the implementation of practical improvements.
• Technology and Digital Fluency: Demonstrates proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, as well as general computer, internet, and virtual collaboration technologies. Learns and effectively uses new project-management, data-tracking, communication, and institutional systems as needed.
• Professionalism and Stakeholder Service: Responds promptly and constructively to requests, meets commitments, and communicates proactively when circumstances or timelines change. Solicits and applies feedback, approaches interactions with respect and objectivity, and contributes to a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Discretion and Accountability: Handles sensitive, confidential, or institutionally significant information with appropriate discretion. Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, maintains reliable records, and follows through on commitments while upholding institutional policies, standards, and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• CAPM or PMP certification through PMI.org
• Master's degree preferred.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.