(Hybrid) Project Manager - WVU Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research

The WVU Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Project Manager.

About the Opportunity

The Program Coordinator supports the tactical execution and day-to-day management of transdisciplinary projects focused on energy and sustainability. This role collaborates with faculty, students, and external partners to ensure the operational success of WISER's mission and vision, with an emphasis on impact in West Virginia and Central Appalachia.

In this role, you will assist the Director of WISER with the day-to-day development, capture, administration, and management of research projects, including financially large (>$10M) and nationally visible initiatives. Projects supported by this position are critical to the mission and reputation of WVU, WISER, and the Research Office and require consistent engagement with multiple internal and external partners. You will help maintain strong stakeholder relationships, track project performance, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within approved scope and budget.

You will work in close coordination with the Senior Finance Lead and Grants Administrator to align project plans with approved budgets, track risks that affect cost/schedule/scope, and ensure the project team meets required reporting and documentation timelines. While this position monitors progress against a project spend plan and identifies risks, accounting, financial compliance interpretation, and university financial approvals are managed in partnership with the finance team.

Responsibilities are functional in nature and performed under limited supervision. The position independently applies professional concepts and organizational policies to solve moderate to complex problems, frequently addressing non-routine matters within established guidelines. Work has a meaningful impact on project execution, stakeholder relationships, and operational effectiveness.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Project Execution & Delivery
  • Manage large-scale, nationally visible projects (>$10M), ensuring strong stakeholder engagement and alignment with project requirements and agreements.
  • Coordinate across university, industry, nonprofit, and government partners operating within large collaborative research programs
  • Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate assigned projects to ensure they are delivered on time and within approved scope and budget.
  • Support the operational management of internal seed funding programs, including proposal intake, review coordination, project onboarding, milestone tracking, and reporting support
  • Coordinate project teams in the development of project plans and implementation approaches; collaborate with research partners (universities, industry, consultants, and other stakeholders).
• Pre-Award Support (Project Inputs & Proposal Coordination)
  • Identify funding opportunities and support proposal development by assembling project work plans, schedules, partner scope, and required attachments.
  • Provide project inputs for proposal budgeting in partnership with the finance team.
  • Support the formation of research teams and development of work plans, project concepts, and implementation approaches.
  • Develop a detailed Project Management Plan (PMP) with measurable outcomes, deliverables, and milestones; as required, develop or contribute to plans such as:
    • Risk Management Plan, Quality Plan, Communication Plan, Health & Safety Plan
    • Change Management Plan, Conflict Management Plan, Security Plan, Data Management Plan
    • Roles and responsibilities matrix
  • Support proposal preparation and submission to funding agencies (e.g., compiling required project components and coordinating partner inputs)
• Post-Award Management (Implementation, Partners, Reporting)
  • Coordinate subaward/subcontract needs (scope, deliverables, timelines) and work with the finance team to support subaward setup and ongoing monitoring.
  • Track partner performance and deliverables; support invoice review with programmatic verification (in coordination with finance for financial review/processing).
  • Ensure timely submission of required reports and maintain compliance with grant/contract requirements.
  • Engage routinely with WVU internal offices (e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs, WVU Shared Services, and college-level business offices) to support effective execution.
  • Develop tools, templates, and best practices that strengthen project management execution and documentation
• Operational Management, Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Provide day-to-day coordination of project activities, proactively identifying issues and supporting timely resolution.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders; ensure clear communication and alignment of project goals.
  • Provide regular project updates on milestones, risks, and deliverables to leadership, sponsors, and partners; represent WISER at relevant meetings and events.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to project teams and the research community on project management practices, as appropriate
• Outreach, Communications & Visibility
  • Promote WISER and WVU activities through community outreach and engagement as needed (conferences, community events, meetings, presentations).
  • Support communications activities such as providing content for press releases and websites.
  • When appropriate, provide technical assistance to federal/state agencies, industry, or campus groups; may author or co-author papers for professional journals and conference proceedings.

• Master's Degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
  • Project management experience
  • Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • Familiarity with project management concepts.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Detailed project management and tactical execution.
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic research environment.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong computer software skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energy or sustainability sectors.
• Experience in grant writing and management.
• Knowledge of WVU systems and processes, including Oracle/MAP financial systems and Electronic Research Administration (ERA) system.
• PMI certification or PMP is recommended.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.