Senior Program Manager, Strategic Research

Job Summary

The Senior Program Manager for Strategic Research serves as a strategic leader for assigned projects within CU Boulder's Research & Innovation Office (RIO) Program Management Office (PMO), driving high-impact research and translational deep tech initiatives, including therapeutics-focused efforts through expert project management.

This role leads complex, multi‑stakeholder efforts, supports Principal Investigators (PIs) and Department Research Administrators (DRAs), and contributes to the growth of the PMO and the broader campus project‑management community. It acts as a trusted partner to faculty and PIs, providing strategic oversight, program and project‑management leadership, and informed guidance across the research lifecycle.

It works in close partnership with the Director of the PMO to support office‑wide strategy, priorities, and continuous improvement while maintaining a primary focus on assigned projects.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The PMO partners with CU Boulder faculty and staff to provide strategic guidance, project‑management resources, talent development, and outreach for research programs and sponsored projects. We are committed to inclusive excellence and welcome candidates whose knowledge, skills, and abilities help us build an inclusive community.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate, implement, and facilitate program strategy by managing project delegation and program implementation; monitor and coordinate resources and budget as assigned.
• Provide insights and guidance to help campus collaborators understand and engage with assigned programs.
• Connect with project leaders and partners about program progress and issues.
• Participate in the program process to ensure an understanding of project requirements and program goals/objectives.
• Assess and recommend internal capacity to deliver and engage with programs.
• Coordinate solutions at the project level and integrate project‑based understanding to inform ongoing program strategy.
• Manage collaborator assessments and communications.
• Serve as a trusted oversight and management partner to program leaders, faculty, and PIs, supporting informed decision‑making, accountability, and alignment between program execution, project execution, requirements, and institutional priorities.
• Assess, track, manage, and monitor risk, coordinating actions where identified.
• Assist the Director in advancing office and campus‑research and sponsored projects portfolio goals and objectives.

• Serve as a trusted oversight and management partner to PIs, supporting informed decision‑making, accountability, and alignment between project execution, requirements, and sponsor priorities.
• Facilitate the project lifecycle execution, including goal tracking, deliverable management, and schedule optimization supporting technical, cost, and schedule performance.
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, adjust timelines and dependencies as needed to accommodate evolving priorities and constraints.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination among internal teams, external collaborators (sub‑recipients, consultants, vendors), and sponsors. Lead regular tag‑ups, kick‑off meetings, and sponsor reviews.
• Lead operational execution for large‑scale, multi‑stakeholder research and translational projects, overseeing integrated workflows, resource allocation, and cross‑functional coordination. Ensure project infrastructure supports timely delivery, compliance, and strategic alignment with institutional goals.
• Support project by assisting the PIs in goal deliverables, creating reports, and finalizing documents for sponsor; contribute to project‑related meetings, record meeting minutes, and prepare follow‑through agendas.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, including compliance,…