Open Rank Project/Program Manager

Job Description

Based on the foundation of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, Virginia Tech launched the Virginia Tech National Security Institute in September 2021. With a presence in both Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C. metro area, the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) performs cutting-edge research and development for externally sponsored national security programs and develops the next generation of national security talent through student engagement in education and research.

VTNSI is seeking several Project/Program Managers to support the planning, financial management, coordination, and execution of sponsored research projects and programs located in both the Blacksburg, Virginia, and Arlington, Virginia locations. Candidates may be considered for appointment as Project Manager I, Project Manager II, Program Manager I, or Program Manager II, depending on qualifications, demonstrated competencies, organizational needs, and the scope of assigned responsibilities.

Positions are intended for administrative and professional (AP) faculty classification requiring quantitative, mathematical, analytical, and financial management skills. Responsibilities increase in complexity, independence, accountability, leadership, and sponsor engagement across the four levels. Appointment level and location will be determined based on relevant knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, position requirements, and available opportunities. Positions are eligible for a hybrid work arrangement requiring weekly in-office presence. Given the nature and sensitivity of the institute’s funding portfolio, these positions are restricted to U.S. Citizens.

Specific responsibilities include:
• Develop, maintain, monitor, and analyze project or program budgets, expenditures, funding balances, forecasts, and resource requirements; perform calculations, reconciliations, and budget-to-actual comparisons.
• Coordinate project or program schedules, milestones, deliverables, performance reporting, and risk management with principal investigators, research teams, university offices, sponsors, and partners.
• Prepare accurate financial and operational reports, maintain project documentation, identify variances and risks, and support applicable university policies and sponsor requirements.
• Support sponsor communications, proposal preparation, opportunity identification, process improvement, and business development, as appropriate to the assigned level.
• At Project Manager I and II levels, support or independently manage assigned project activities. At Program Manager I and II levels, additionally coordinate multiple related projects or programs, balance resources, guide staff, and support broader sponsor engagement and program development.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Project/Program Management, or a related discipline.
• Project Manager I: Bachelor’s degree in a related technical or professional field with relevant experience, or an earned master’s degree
• Project Manager II: Bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least three years of relevant experience, or a related master’s degree with relevant project management experience.
• Program Manager I: Bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least five years of progressively responsible experience, or a related master’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience of small to moderate program portfolios.
• Program Manager II: Bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least seven years of progressively responsible experience, or a related master’s degree with at least five years of relevant experience, including demonstrated leadership of moderate to complex program portfolios.

Financial Management, Quantitative Analysis, and Spreadsheet Skills
• All levels: Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheet applications, including formulas, calculations, financial tracking, data organization, and analysis, along with strong mathematical, quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Project Manager I: Demonstrated ability to perform financial calculations, maintain budget spreadsheets, track and reconcile expenditures, identify discrepancies, and prepare routine financial reports for projects with straightforward funding requirements.
• Project Manager II: Demonstrated ability to independently analyze and manage financial data for higher-value projects with more complex funding requirements, including budget reconciliations, expenditure analysis, forecasting, variance identification, and financial reporting.
• Program Manager I: Demonstrated ability to analyze and consolidate financial information across multiple related projects, monitor expenditures and funding balances, reconcile budgets, identify financial risks, and prepare consolidated financial reports to support program management decisions.
• Program Manager II: Demonstrated ability to oversee financial analysis and reporting across complex programs or portfolios, evaluate funding and resource requirements, resolve complex budget issues, develop financial forecasts, and provide data-driven recommendations to support program-level decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with research teams, university stakeholders, sponsors, and external partners.
• U.S. Citizen
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) or equivalent project management training or experience.
• Experience supporting sponsored research, federally funded projects, government contracting, or national security programs. (Required at the Program Manager I and II levels)
• Experience coordinating with principal investigators, sponsors, university departments, and external partners.
• For specialized assignments, experience with subcontract cost monitoring, invoice review, financial reconciliation, funding opportunity identification, proposal development, resource planning, or business development. (Required at the Program Manager I and II levels)
• Experience in an academic research environment, including working with students.
• Required at Program Manager I and II levels, experience coordinating multiple projects, managing program resources, mentoring or leading staff, engaging sponsors, or overseeing complex program portfolios.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$75,000–$150,000 annually, depending on position level, qualifications, experience, and work location.

- Project Manager I starting at $75,000 in Blacksburg and $90,000 in Arlington

- Project Manager II starting at $85,000 in Blackburg and $95,000 in Arlington

- Program Manager I starting at $95,000 in Blacksburg and $100,000 in Arlington

- Program Manager II starting at $115,000 in Blacksburg and $130,000 in Arlington

Hours per week

40

Review Date

11/16/2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our work, all applicants must be US citizens and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Work location may be in either the Blacksburg, VA or Arlington, VA locations.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.