Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.To be considered for this position, all supplemental questions must be answered. 

Position Summary:

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is seeking a full-time Project Manager (PM) to assist in KIUR’s five-year expansion plan. The Project Manager will incorporate project and file management systems to improve the workflow, production, efficiency, and effectiveness of KIUR research projects, teams, and individuals. The PM will be responsible for the day-to-day management of information needed to keep all projects within scope, schedule, and budget and will utilize best practices to assist project leads in developing supporting plans for existing and future research proposals. The selected candidate will spearhead the development of relevant training materials, best practice guidance, and user manuals and will assist staff to create individual, project, and team project management boards. 

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently expanding to build out five research centers focused on key aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five research centers will conduct research on housing, education, public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each of these centers will conduct research focused on its particular topic, as well as do groundbreaking and necessary work across centers. To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams that specialize in solutions-oriented research, and will use a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and do research that values diversity in expertise and centers the community in identifying the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston.

The ideal candidate will possess a commitment to KIUR's mission and be able to work and communicate effectively with others to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. They must be adaptable to change, possess the ability to prioritize competing deadlines, and possess excellent organization skills. 

This is an on-campus position with the opportunity for optional hybrid work schedule (3/2) within Harris County and surrounding counties. (Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.)

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position and the salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for years basis may be substituted
• One year of project management or related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• Skills
  • Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Experience with research-informed strategic planning
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships, motivate others, and drive results
  • Excellent personal organization and time management skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others in a variety of positions and roles
  • Ability to multi-task, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines
  • Knowledge in technical discipline/domain needed to deliver projects
  • Project management ability to employ integration, scope time management, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement components 

Preferences

• Previous experience using project management systems such as Monday.com
• Experience working in a non-profit, education, or university setting
• Good interpersonal skills such as patience, determination, flexibility, and decisiveness

Essential Functions

• Performs the full range of project management for KIUR projects: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing
• Leads projects requiring functional integration - Completes sub-project and/or stand-alone elements (or a contained project)
• Organizes project kick-off meetings creates action plans and estimates requirements for resources, including management, labor, materials, and time required to complete the project
• Develops and helps execute comprehensive change management strategy and communication plan, including quarterly feedback reports
• Facilitates discussions and negotiations to drive recommendation consensus within the scope of responsibility 
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Facilitates the creation of File, Communication, Resource, and Stakeholder Management Plans for all projects and Risk, Quality, and Procurement Management Plans if necessary for the project
• Inventories projects in project management software
• Escalates issues to program manager, research scientists, and leadership team
• Assists with compliance inventory
• Stores/documents IRB paperwork for each project and researcher
• Archives KIUR events, presentations, workshops, and news
• Compiles weekly updates to be added to director project reports

Kinder Institute for Urban Research https://kinder.rice.edu/

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.