Research Program Manager - Information Trust Institute

Research Program Manager Information Trust InstituteThe Grainger College of
EngineeringUniversity of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
The
Information Trust Institute is a world-leading institution with a focus on
creating more trustworthy critical infrastructure. It has been a central part of over $200M
of innovation in cyber-physical research over the past decade and continues to
advance the state of understanding in this field. Beyond academic publication,
ITI researchers work on putting their solutions into practice and working to
get them deployed in the real world.

The Information Trust Institute in The Grainger College of
Engineering seeks applicants for a Research Program Manager position. This
position works closely with ITI
leadership and staff to support research and program management activities that require a high level of detailed
program management, communication and organization skills, and is responsible
for planning, overseeing, resourcing, supporting and leading multiple projects
from ideation through timely completion. This role requires continuous
interaction with a range of internal and external stakeholders occurring throughout a process that demands simultaneous management of various
moving parts while also balancing disparate interests and priorities all to
ensure identified objectives are met and specific deliverables are completed timely and on budget. In concert with the above, this role will create, maintain and make available status reports as needed
to communicate ongoing progress and metrics through use of available tools and
programs while assessing efficiency and effectiveness of workflow.

Duties and
Responsibilities:

Program
Management
- Manage day-to-day operations for assigned research projects, including execution of short- and long-term goals that maximize timely deliverables.
- Monitor and respond to action items and stakeholder requests to ensure appropriate progress while coordinating with research teams and ITI leadership.
- Schedule, facilitate, and attend meetings, including finalizing agendas and communicating and coordinating deliverables.
- Assist in development of project plans to monitor and track progress of varying projects.
- Participate in establishing goals, maintaining timelines, and ensuring resources are directed efficiently toward achieving objectives.
- Draft and publish progress reports and project status reviews with project stakeholders for assigned projects.
- Maintain and organize project documents, records, data, and archives.
- Utilize tracking, analysis, assessment tools, or other resources to evaluate effectiveness of processes, programs, and activities associated with assigned projects.
- Support program office and planning activities such as development of program plans, development of statements of work and basic ordering agreement task orders.
- Support assigned education and training programs for new and existing initiatives.
- Track and report on fund expenditures for projects being managed
- Track progress of program deliverables, tasks, and milestone achievement to meet program deadlines and to ensure efficiency and success, including budgets, resourcing and workflow.
- Serve as a liaison between project staff and other stakeholders, including those at other institutions, to facilitate the accomplishments of goals, objectives and milestones for projects.
- Communicate changes to the project scope, project schedule and project costs using appropriate verification techniques.
- Collaborate with and support other program managers and senior program managers as needed to meet the overall needs of ITI and CIRI.
- Report and escalate to management as needed to address program risk management.
- Perform other program and project management tasks as needed.

Client and Communication Management
- Support Communication efforts and drive communication management via written or verbal communication of project goals, project status, issues, actions, and risks to internal and external stakeholders.
- Communicate with funding sponsors, industrial advisory board members, research faculty, students, and staff as need to support active research and program management.
- Assist with identifying, promoting, supporting industry collaboration and mutually beneficial strategic partnerships and opportunities.
- Respond to sponsor contacts as needed to meet program objectives.
- Assist with event management and coordination activities in support of sponsor programs.

Business and
Educational Program Management
- Assist with the creation and support of educational and business activities.
- Identify best practices or changes that facilitate improvement in meeting objectives and outcomes.
- Ensure educational programs operate in alignment with sponsor requirements.

New
Opportunity Identification
- Proactively review federal sponsor opportunities and postings, identify and track appropriate fits and communicate and track progress toward response compliance.
- Assist with business office coordination in support of opportunity response activities
- Track ITI and CIRI engagement activities.
- Provide updates to leadership and staff on pursued and active opportunities.
- Document ITI activities related to sponsor engagement efforts.
- Provide support for responses to grant opportunities and other funding source submissions.

Other Duties
as Assigned

Minimum
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree.
- A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training, and/or work experience in professional program management and/or project management.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating projects within a business, academic, research, or government environment.
- Demonstrated experience working with sponsor-facing, client-facing, or internal stakeholder communication environments.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree.
- Experience working on multiple projects with deadlines and deliverable requirements.
- Experience working as a research program manager or other related project management role.
- Experience with Higher Education and or State Government operations, processes and protocols, working in a role with responsibility for project outcomes and success.
- Experience using one or more project or program management tools or software programs.
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Program Management Professional (PgMP) or Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), or other relevant project management certification.
- Experience with relevant technical concepts or managing projects with technical content or subject matter focus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent communication, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to be self-motivated, exercise good judgment, and prioritize.
- Ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and problem solve.
- Ability to work directly with researchers, government representatives, industry representatives, publishers, vendors, and others in this area.
- Ability to work independently and see projects through to completion. Project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively and respond
appropriately to customer needs.

Appointment Information

This is a
full-time Civil Service Program Coordinator position appointed on a
12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after
the closing date. The
budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000- $72,500. Salary is competitive and commensurate with
qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is primarily on-site, with the potential to
do some hybrid work as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.This position is not eligible for any
type of sponsorship for work authorization. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 8, 2026.
Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this
posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information
for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you
must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through
https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position,
transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later
than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific
position, please contact Kelsey Marr at krok2@illinois.edu For questions
regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public
university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every
staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to
a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries,
supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research
institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the
nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling
breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and
beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The
university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support
your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public
university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine
excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your
contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can
thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1037865

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu