Project Manager, Data Initiatives & Information

Hiring Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1028637

Posting Close Date: 1/14/2025

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $80,000 - $120,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary

This position is primarily responsible for the oversight and execution of goals, tasks, and milestones for all projects in OVCR's Office of Research Data Initiatives and Information (ORDI2). This position will oversee timelines and deliverables for all projects and implementations in ORDI2, requiring intricate planning to ensure the appropriate sequencing and timing of tasks, complex coordination of diverse teams, resource management, and effective problem solving to ensure timely completion of projects. The position requires the ability to assess a situation and develop plans or solutions to address the need, including development of materials to guide challenging conversations, workflow mapping for process improvement, analysis of technical system requirements, application of research knowledge for project design, coaching team members, re-delegation of tasks and the general ability to change directions quickly and effectively.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify, analyze and recommend business systems/process solutions and future opportunities to management that have broad business impact. Manage the definition, design, and implementation of medium and complex projects for improved research services and products.

• Develop, plan and track detailed project plans, including schedules, cost estimates, resource needs, funding requirements, communication plans, and issue resolution plans. Identify project risks/gaps and create risk mitigation plans.

• Lead efforts for communication of information and opportunities for discussion and problem-solving by coordinating regular team meetings and other meetings as needed.

• Facilitate partnerships across various research resources, including investigators, designers, vendors, and external collaborators.

• Identify stakeholders, Steering Committee and other participants; manage two-way communications with participants and engage stakeholders in key decisions.

• Assemble cross-functional integration teams and assign individual responsibilities. Provide project leadership, work direction, and feedback to ensure project milestones and deliverables are met.

• Utilize research expertise and critical thinking skills to contribute to the project and completion of goals.

• Lead the research project life cycle from beginning to end, leading team efforts to complete all activities and comply with regulations to ensure that project goals are met.

• Review, approve and manage changes in project scope, schedule, and cost and ensure the operationalization of changes.

• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• A minimum of five years of professional level research experience, OR equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Five years of project management experience working in a large organization with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated proficiency in project management, including planning, execution, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Skilled in identifying opportunities to improve efficiency of research operations and subsequently execute improvements.
• Problem-solving ability, including the ability to analyze complex situations, identify resources, and imagine alternatives.
• Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High personal work standards and sense of urgency about results.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others and build relationships across multiple stakeholder groups and various levels of the organization.
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions and effectively lead a team through change.

Preferred Qualifications

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