Description:

The Project Manager III, working under direct supervision of the Executive Director, in support of the multiple Associate and Program Directors, manages large and complex project activities including drafting contracts, developing and tracking budgets, tracking timelines, deliverables, milestones, and providing periodic evaluations and reports for projects that range from small to large in scope. The individual selected for this position must possess the knowledge, experience, adaptability, and confidence to engage and professionally interact with executive staff, consultants, clients, and primary stakeholders. The Project Manager III must demonstrate a proven ability to multi-task while managing many fast-paced and high-profile projects. The Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation is a dynamic workplace requiring commitment to a high level of productivity and service excellence.

Responsibilities:

Project Management

Manage project portfolios in line with business strategies and adheres to project management internal control guidelines throughout the project life cycle.

Conduct periodical meetings with primary stakeholders to schedule and coordinate project activities, ensure goals are being met and milestones adhered to.

Provides guidance and status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks, and issues, communicating to leadership across functional areas.

Develop and maintain integrated master schedules for assigned projects (e.g. contracts, grants, sponsored research).

Coordinates project activities including project initiation, value assessments, work plan development, estimating, and project controls.

Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, plans and reports.

Establish goals for project delivery while working with contract personnel to apply current best practices in vendor selection, contract negotiation, and project lifecycle.

Makes recommendations on process improvement and implementation strategies.

Compile data; perform complex analysis; prepare reports and make presentations to stakeholders.

Large and time sensitive projects may require employee to work outside of, and in addition to, normal work hours.

Due to the nature of some engagements travel may be required.

Operations

Assign tasks to internal teams and assist with schedule management.

Act as the point of contact and communicates project status to all participants.

Ensure standards and requirements are met according to company and System policy.

Develop and maintain project performance database that tracks overall progress and achievement of milestones.

Assign and monitor resources effectively to boost project efficiency and maximize deliverables output.

Report projected risks and outcomes to appropriate management channels and escalate issues according to appropriate work plan.

Supervise current projects and coordinate all team members to keep workflow on track.

Communicate with clients and executive shareholders to identify and define project requirements, scope and objectives as assigned.

Administrative

Supervise, and work closely with, Administrative Coordinator and Administrative Associates to plan and manage team goals, project schedules and new information.

Support coordination of activities with senior university leadership and external shareholders.

Use tools to monitor internal and external project hours, plans and expenditures.

Assist in the development and monitoring of departmental budget planning.

Prepare and interpret flowcharts, schedules and step-by-step action plans.

Prepare meeting agendas, record minutes and assist with follow-up actions for Executive Director, Executive Vice President and President’s Cabinet meetings.

Ensure the Executive Director has information necessary to make informed decisions.

Demonstrate sensitivity, discretion, judgement and negotiation in operations and communications for LSUASC.

Monitor detailed calendars of all company business, projects, and operations.

Assist leadership in ensuring configuration management of equipment, hardware, and software.

Act as stand-in supervisor of staff and coordinate with other Associate and Program Directors if Executive Director is out of office.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.

Seven (7) years of related experience.

Additional education may be used as a substitution for the minimum experience requirement:

Masters degree and five (5) years of related experience.

Doctoral degree and three (3) years of related experience.

Hands-on experience with project management tools (e.g. Basecamp, Trello, Airtable)

Experience in coordinating teams and clients

Experience in project management, from conception to delivery

Solid organizational skills, including multitasking and time-management

Strong client-facing and teamwork skills

Strong communication skills

Strong presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Master of Business Administration

7 or more years of experience in project coordination

Experience in aviation, specifically unmanned aviation industry

Experience working in higher education

Project Management Institute (PMI) Certification.

Experience with grant management and / or sponsored research.

Experience with graphic design software.