EARTH Project Manager

University of Kansas
remote work
United States, Kansas, Lawrence
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard (Show on map)
Nov 12, 2024
Position Overview The Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for project management, data collection, publicity, and reporting. The Project Manager will manage and provide updates on budgets, timelines, and project milestones to the EARTH leadership team (EARTH-LT). This individual will report to the ERC EARTH Director and will monitor and evaluate the performance of EARTH projects. The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating and preparing the annual report and will work with the Administrative Director (AD) to organize the NSF annual site visit. The Project Manager will work with the Thrust and Project Leads to build clear roadmaps and project plans, drive project execution from scoping through delivery, clarify milestones, and ensure visibility and alignment with overall center goals. When projects reach completion, the Project Manager will work with the project leadership to prepare a final report. The Project Manager will also work with EARTH team members to write and submit proposals. The Project Manager will assist project teams with managing risks and bring issues to the EARTH-LT that require corrective actions. The Project Manager oversees the fulfillment of EARTH organizational goals and coordinates activities between multiple projects without directly managing them. The Project Manager will ensure that projects are adhering to the EARTH safety guidelines. The Project Manager will be a leader that the EARTH team members, particularly the students, can rely on for support and encouragement. An ideal candidate for this position is someone who is eager to make a difference in academia by strengthening faculty interactions and mentoring students. About ERC: Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) are essential to the quality of life for all humans. HVACR systems are widespread throughout society, enabling transportation and preservation of fresh foods, storage of medicines, and cooling of buildings. However, most refrigerants used today are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have high global-warming potential (GWP), with 2000-4000 times the impact of CO2. Combined with high leak rates (direct effect - 50-90% of refrigerants leak into the atmosphere) and high energy consumption (indirect effect - 20-40% of U.S. residential and commercial building electricity usage comes from HVACR), HFCs account for 7.8% of total greenhouse-gas emissions. To address this challenge, a new NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC): Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) will create a "sustainable refrigerant lifecycle" to address technical, environmental, and societal challenges facing the HVACR industry. EARTH is a multi-institution, multi-disciplinary team from the University of Kansas, University of Notre Dame, University of Hawai'i, University of Maryland, University of South Dakota, and Lehigh University. Job Description 50% The EARTH Project Manager will monitor and evaluate the performance of EARTH projects. This will include activities such as: Provide updates on budgets, timelines, and project milestones to EARTH-LT Work with the Thrust and Project Leads to build clear roadmaps and project plans, drive project execution, milestones clearly communicated and executed, and ensure alignment of project goals with overall center goals. Assist project teams with managing risks and bring issues to EARTH-LT that require corrective action Work with project leadership when programs are complete to prepare final reports. Coordinate activities between multiple projects. 10% Assist in the management of the day-to-day operations of ERC EARTH Coordinate activities for EARTH administrative assistant and EARTH accountant. 10% Responsible for coordinating, collecting information, and preparing annual report for NSF. 10% Responsible for planning and organizing annual NSF site visits with AD. 10% Work with EARTH team members to write and submit federal- and industry-funded proposals. 10% Work with EARTH-LT to coordinate technical seminars as well as seminars on professional development topics such as teamwork, communication, lab safety and others. Position Requirements This position works primarily on-site but limited remote work may be considered per mutual agreement between the EARTH director and selected candidate. Required Qualifications B.S. in Engineering, Business Management, or closely related field. Minimum 5 years of program management experience. Outstanding written skills, as evidenced by application materials. Proven track record of significant technical contributions, as evidenced by a combination of the following: successfully funded proposals, patents, publications, invited lectures, and awards, as evidenced in application materials Three years of supervisory experience. Preferred Qualifications Engineering/Academic Research Center program management experience, as evidenced in application materials. Corporate program management or technology management experience, as evidenced in application materials. Knowledge of current HVACR manufacturing processes, technology strategies of corporations, and managerial procedures in the chemical enterprise, as evidenced in application materials. Previous experience with successful scale-up or commercialization of new technology, as demonstrated in application materials. M.S. or PhD in Engineering, Business Management, or a closely related field. Additional Candidate Instructions A complete application consists of cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application review begins October 14, 2024. To ensure consideration, please apply before review date. Contact Information to Applicants Heather Abernathy habernathy@ku.edu 785-864-4512 Advertised Salary Range $90,000 - $100,000 Work Schedule M-F 8-5 Application Review Begins Monday October 14, 2024 Anticipated Start Date Monday November 4, 2024