PROJECT MANAGER
Req #: | 165432 |
Department: | EARTHLAB |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 03/13/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
EarthLab is a new initiative at the University of Washington seeking to link and apply the amazing environmental research happening at the UW with decision makers working on solutions to environmental challenges. Stewarded by the College of the Environment, EarthLab supports application-focused interdisciplinary collaboration across and beyond the University of Washington. EarthLab focuses on addressing our world’s most pressing environmental challenges – catalyzing collaborations with partners across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. By linking knowledge and action to accomplish meaningful change, EarthLab will help develop lasting solutions that are scientifically sound, technically feasible, and economically viable, while promoting equity and justice.
The College of the Environment promotes diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. Thus, we strongly seek candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).
EarthLab has an outstanding opportunity for a part-time, 50% FTE Project Manager to help support the planning, implementation, and oversight of a variety of new initiatives and projects. This includes projects that are currently in operation and the new ones that will be launched in the next year by both EarthLab and its member organizations as well as the recipients of the new EarthLab Innovation Awards. The Project Manager will have a range of project management responsibilities including initiating and overseeing the planning and organization of various meetings and major events, recruiting and managing partners for the various projects and their events, and managing and tracking tasks, assignments, timelines and the project records and documentation. The Project Manager will report to the EarthLab Communications and Engagement Lead but will be expected to exercise independent judgment and decision-making in the daily execution of these duties. The Project Manager will also work closely with the EarthLab leadership team and core EarthLab staff, and on occasion, they will collaborate with College of the Environment Advancement team in the organization of major events.
The EarthLab Project Manager position will require someone with a broad range of skills and a great deal of flexibility. The successful candidate will embrace the mission of EarthLab and will value and appreciate human interaction, work well in a collaborative environment, and welcome new ways to work to improve the performance of the various projects to which they are assigned. This position requires an ability to think strategically, direct and manage multiple, competing priorities, and track many moving parts. Exceptional organizational, people, and communication skills are central to this position
Responsibilities:
The job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Project Design, Implementation, and Management:
•In partnership with the Communications and Engagement Lead, manage all EarthLab major event planning.
•Develop and manage new and existing EarthLab project plans. Manage responsibility assignment matrix (RACI), and other organizational tools that communicate tasks, roles, accountabilities, timelines, budgets, and other key organizational elements
•Build and coordinate partnerships across campus, and external to the UW
•Contribute to strategic planning.
•Execute on assigned tasks as project and event manager.
•Track assignments/tasks, following up with responsible parties to keep the project plan on time and on target
•Elevate any project delays or major milestone misses as needed
Program Operations:
•Oversee project meeting scheduling, plan agendas, and document action items and assignments.
•Manage project budgets and expenditures in concert with EarthLab administrative staff.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Requirements:
•Bachelor’s degree in a related field
•Two to three years of progressively responsible experience in project management, working with executive level personnel in academic, public agency, non-profit organization, or private sector organization.
•Political acumen and discretion; ability to independently discern when confidentiality is required.
•Experience with event planning
•Ability to be timely and professional in all interactions, and to work in a collaborative, team environment committed to social justice, diversity, and inclusiveness.
•Experience multi-tasking in high pressure (short timeline for product deadlines) environment and flexibility to respond to changing demands and priorities.
•Proven accuracy and attention to detail as well as the ability to work efficiently and with minimal supervision.
•Ability to manage both long-term and short-term tasks, being responsive to the latter while still maintaining focus on the former. Ability to manage multiple competing demands.
•Ability to produce high quality written products, including experience building creative, compelling materials that share project information in a concise and effective manner.
•Excellent oral communication skills.
•Ability to thrive in ambiguity and maintain strong interpersonal professional relationships.
•Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook/Exchange, and ability to learn new software systems.
•Proven ability to handle confidential information with a high degree of tact, discretion, diplomacy, and to maintain strict confidentiality.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Desired Qualifications:
•Background/degree in a policy, social sciences, a science-related field such as environmental studies, public affairs or business.
•Five years or more of progressively responsible experience in project management.
•Exposure and personal commitment to environmental, equity, and justice issues.
•Familiarity with process improvement initiatives such as Lean and relevant tools (flowchart software, Kanban boards, etc.)
•Graphic design and/or website skills.
•Fact checking/research and analysis skills.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.