Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The main function of Research Program Manager is to plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as engineering, research and development, financial systems and product roll-out, etc

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Tracking tasks to identity individuals responsible for their portions of work and follow-up on a week-to-week basis

• Preparing minutes of meetings of detailed technical records or what was discussed in team sync meetings

• Creating and updating project management plans for mid-level schedules as estimated arrival dates shift

• Identifying task dependencies and bottlenecks and adjusting critical path as required

• Processing procurement requests for new hardware and software following established processes, entering the request and tracking of status to completion

• Tracking and distributing hardware and software for internal and external distribution

• Entering and tracking progress of tasks for research paper submissions

• Following processes to obtain legal approvals for negotiated contracts

• Logistical support for team meetings including following agenda, taking and distributing technical notes and tracking completion of action items

• Maintaining schedules for booking rooms ensuring availability when needed

• Posting documentation for internal wiki and updates to processes

• Reporting on status, progress and issues as needed to management and dependent teams

• Tracking of progress of own work items and deliverables

• Maintaining up-to-date parts and equipment lists, tracking incoming orders and escalation appropriate personnel in the team for any shortage or excess

• Leveraging established inventory processes or developing new processes, if needed, to accomplish above task

• Identifying, documenting and delving deeply into challenges immediately impacting a project plan, especially blockers, and establish a path to correct as quickly as possible

• Escalating as needed and notifying dependencies of anticipated schedule shifts

• Working directly with vendors and partners to maintain clear and consistent communication, set clear expectations and do follow-up to ensure deliverables are received as anticipated

• Ensuring delays are propagated in the schedule and project documents are updated

• Identifying needs for new processes or tools to help the team run and communicate more smoothly and continue to iterate on that process to balance overhead with effectiveness

SKILLS:

• Verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, attention to detail and interpersonal skills.

• Strong ability to work independently and manage one’s time.

• Strong leadership and mentoring skills necessary to provide support and constructive performance feedback.

• Strong knowledge of production processes, quality control, costs and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Strong knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and production methods.

• Strong knowledge of computer software, such as MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, Visio etc.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field.

• PMI or PMP certification preferred.