Project Manager - Sponsored Research (SIRO)

Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Project Manager - Sponsored Research (SIRO) at the intermediate professional level. The role involves full-lifecycle management of federally and non-federally funded interdisciplinary research projects, including proposal development, award setup, post-award oversight, and financial stewardship to ensure compliance and align with strategic objectives. The Project Manager collaborates with multiple internal and external stakeholders, coordinates project teams, monitors milestones and budgets, and implements process improvements.

Highlights

Manage all phases of sponsored research administration from proposal to closeout.
Coordinate pre-award and post-award project teams and serve as liaison with investigators, sponsors, subrecipients, and university offices.
Track project milestones, deliverables, reporting deadlines, and compliance requirements.
Oversee financial planning, budget monitoring, revisions, and financial reporting for complex research awards.
Develop financial tracking tools and support audit processes related to sponsored projects.
Required skills include advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, experience with collaborative tools (Airtable, GitHub, Slack, Teams, Google Drive), and project management platforms.
Preferred experience includes managing research administration projects, overseeing sponsored project budgets, and familiarity with federal and foundation sponsor requirements (e.g., NIH, DOD, NSF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
Position reports to the Associate Director of Project Management and interacts cross-functionally with multiple university colleges, institutes, and external collaborators.
Bachelor's degree with 1+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination required; no certifications required.
Salary range is $61,800 to $89,600 with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, retirement, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.

Project Manager - Sponsored Research (SIRO) Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 3 year(s); continuation past 3 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICSâ

The Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office (SIRO) Project Management Office at Penn State is seeking a Project Manager - Sponsored Research to support complex, multi-million dollar federal and non-federal interdisciplinary research initiatives. This position will be filled at the Project Manager - Intermediate Professional level.

SIRO is a central research administration unit within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR). SIRO supports university-wide, multi-college, and multi-institutional research initiatives. The Project Management Office partners with investigators, research administrators, and central offices to deliver structured project management across proposal development, award execution, and closeout.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Project Management and works cross-functionally with PSU colleges, institutes, central administrative units, external collaborators, and sponsors.

Role Overview: This role provides full-lifecycle project management for sponsored research awards, including strategic coordination during proposal development and comprehensive post-award oversight. A core responsibility is financial and budget management of complex sponsored projects, with the Project Manager serving as a financial steward to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and strategic objectives.

The position requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and integrating administrative coordination, compliance oversight, milestone tracking, and budget monitoring within a structured project management framework.

Primary Responsibilities:

Manage the full lifecycle of research administration activities, including proposal development, award setup, post-award management, reporting, and closeout.
Coordinate administrative and cross-functional project teams during pre-award activities and lead coordination during post-award execution.
Serve as a primary liaison with Principal Investigators, subrecipients, sponsors, PSU central offices, and departmental staff.
Coordinate and support multidisciplinary working groups and committees.
Attend and lead administrative and technical project meetings.
Track milestones, deliverables, timelines, reporting deadlines, extensions, and prior approval requirements.
Coordinate preparation of sponsor-required financial and administrative reports.
Review sponsor and University policies to ensure compliance and shared understanding across project teams.
Assess project-specific requirements and coordinate with appropriate units to support execution.
Use project management tools to monitor progress, communicate status, and track performance metrics.
Recommend and implement process improvements and develop standard operating procedures to enhance project execution.

Financial stewardship is a core component of this position. Responsibilities include the following:

Planning and forecasting budgets aligned with project goals and milestones.
Monitoring financial performance and spending trends to ensure appropriate burn rates.
Coordinating budget revisions, supplemental funding requests, and prior approval submissions.
Developing and maintaining financial tracking tools for expenditures, commitments, and projections.
Overseeing financial management of subrecipients, including review of budgets, expenditures, and modifications.
Coordinating complex sponsor financial reporting with research administration and finance offices.
Supporting timely and compliant financial and administrative closeout.
Participating in internal and external audits related to sponsored projects.

Required Experience and Skills:

Microsoft Office Suite (advanced proficiency in MS Excel required).
Experience with collaborative tools such as Airtable, GitHub, Slack, Teams, and Google Drive.
Experience with project management platforms.
Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

Experience in project management of research administration.
Experience overseeing sponsored project budgets and financial monitoring of research awards.
Familiarity with federal sponsor requirements (e.g., NIH, DOD, NSF) and foundation-funded (i.e. Bill and Melinda Gates) projects.
Familiarity with DOD, foundation grant, and training grant management systems is a plus.

Work Arrangement: This position may operate 100% remotely within eligible states in the US. Standard work times will be in EST.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $61,800.00 - $89,600.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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Original Job Description