Project Lead Manager

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through Discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

The Space Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) in the College of Engineering is seeking an experienced, highly motivated Project Manager for Space Flight Projects to provide technical and project leadership for current and future space mission and instrument development projects.

SPRL is a facility of the College of Engineering that serves clients who are faculty, government agencies (such as NASA , NOAA, and DoD), and commercial companies in the development of unique integrated systems and instrumentation that are often used in challenging environments (e.g. space, artic, above/on/below the water). SPRL professional staff, with faculty and researchers, have built more than 35 space systems and instruments;

instrumented numerous sounding rockets, balloons and aircraft; and developed ground-based instruments. For eight decades, this lab has been one of a handful of university centers able to conceive, design, construct, test, and operate space flight instruments - a truly "end-to-end" operation.

The Project Manager will be responsible, along with the project Principal Investigator, for all key client communications on project execution against project requirements, schedule, and cost. The Project Manager will plan, coordinate and help to manage Project Team activities by developing project plans, organizing design reviews, setting meeting agendas, developing action item lists, and developing similar work products.

• Develop project plans to address contractual requirements, client needs, and organizational needs for project management
• Facilitate communication between key client managers, stakeholders, project team members, and contractors
• Develop, maintain, and report on a project plan and other project planning documents including but not limited to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and the baseline cost plan for the entire project
• Identify and track both critical path and "in the shadow of the critical path" tasks
• Maintain and report on key milestones as well as summary tasks. As needed, track spending, estimates at completion, balances, and develop revised estimates as needed
• Coordinate with key stakeholders, keeping them informed of project progress, identifying and tracking issues that are of specific concern to the government client's managers and key stakeholders
• Provide briefings and oral presentations to key stakeholders and client managers
• Ensure issues, concerns, requirements and priorities of each party are successfully transmitted to all parties and that project planning reflects client needs
• Prepare meeting agendas and summaries for regular project review meetings
• Proposal management and comparative proposal cost analysis
• Other duties which may evolve from this position include new bid and proposal development responsibilities, and project portfolio management responsibilities
• LEAD:
  Manage other project manager support personnel. Expectation to manage one or more very large projects (more than 10 personnel, more than $2M annual budget) as part of a project portfolio. Lead business and relationship development. Lead process improvement activities for financial reporting, personnel management, and project management, and contribute to…