Project Manager III

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.

The Project Manager III serves as a strategic advisor and operational partner to Principal Investigators, Division Directors, and operational leadership. The position integrates financial, administrative, and project information across multiple functional areas to support decision-making, resource planning, and successful execution of complex research initiatives.

The position supports a portfolio that includes Department of Defense-sponsored, classified, and other sponsor-sensitive research programs and requires the ability to operate effectively in complex, highly regulated, and security-conscious research environments.

The position provides financial stewardship and strategic analysis for divisional research support resources, including overhead accounts, and develops recommendations related to workforce planning, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability. The position operates with a high degree of independence and exercises sound judgment in evaluating complex financial, operational, administrative, and compliance matters to develop recommendations that support organizational objectives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
● Master or Doctoral Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.

Experience:
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored project administration, project management, research operations, or a related field.
● Experience managing complex sponsored project portfolios, including multi-year, multi-departmental, classified, and/or sponsor-sensitive research programs.
● Experience providing strategic guidance and operational support to investigators, administrators, and organizational leadership.
● Experience coordinating activities across multiple administrative and operational functions.
● Experience with resource planning, forecasting, and analysis across multiple funding sources.
● Demonstrated experience leading teams, mentoring staff, or supervising professional personnel.
● Experience supporting classified research programs and coordinating associated operational, compliance, personnel security, facility security, and research administration activities.
● Active U.S. Government security clearance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of sponsored project administration, post-award management practices, and applicable sponsor, contractual, and university regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and Department of Defense research contracting requirements.
• Knowledge of research administration operations and the interdependencies among financial, administrative, operational, compliance, and security functions.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting complex financial, operational, and administrative information and developing actionable recommendations.
• Skill in building collaborative relationships and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Ability to integrate financial, operational, administrative, and compliance considerations when evaluating issues and supporting organizational decision-making.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and develop staff and contribute to operational improvement initiatives

Physical Demands:
● Sedentary work performed in an office environment.
● Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
● Ability to attend meetings and events both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Seven (7) years of experience managing federally funded sponsored research projects or research administration. 

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Other: Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of advanced project and portfolio management principles and governance frameworks.
Knowledge of federal regulations applicable to sponsored research, including OMB Uniform Guidance and FAR.
Skill in leading complex project portfolios, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance oversight.
Skill in developing executive-level reports, dashboards, and performance metrics using Excel and data visualization tools.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial, contractual, and regulatory information to support decision-making.
Ability to coach and mentor project management professionals and influence adoption of best practices.
Ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, sponsors, and external stakeholders in high-impact settings.
Ability to manage high volumes of complex, time-sensitive work while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and strategic focus.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, List of References

Best Consideration Date: 12/4/26

Posting Close Date: N/A

Open Until Filled: Yes

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$141,160 - $169,392

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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