Technical Program Manager

$75,000 - $75,000/Yr

Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Blacksburg, VA

10,001+ employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Technical Program Manager at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) plays a crucial role in facilitating the efficient operations and execution of projects and initiatives within the Division for Technology Implementation's research portfolio. This position is responsible for project-level financial management, which includes overseeing resources and potentially supervising faculty, staff, and students. The Technical Program Manager will interact with external sponsors to support the development and implementation of innovative transportation technologies, research support services, and data management systems that align with VTTI's mission. The role requires a demonstrated aptitude for planning, coordinating, and executing cross-functional transportation research projects. The Technical Program Manager will manage project financial resources, including budget and resource allocations during the project execution phase. Leadership in project execution activities is a key responsibility, along with strategizing and implementing process and system improvements to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective operations that yield quality deliverables and services while adhering to timelines and budgets. Key expectations for the Technical Program Manager include providing project and technical management oversight for projects in the Division's research portfolio, which encompasses timeline and budget tracking, assisting with the development of interim and final project deliverables, scheduling and conducting internal and customer-facing meetings, and maintaining meeting notes. The role also involves developing and nurturing relationships with external sponsors and vendor organizations to facilitate effective project delivery and generate new opportunities. Following project management best practices as recommended by VTTI's Project Management Office leadership is essential, as is participating in project proposal efforts through concept ideation, work breakdown structure development, vendor interactions, writing, and budget development. Additionally, the Technical Program Manager will support the management of various assets, including development tools, intellectual property, equipment, third-party software, research tools, research vehicles, and facilities, while ensuring efficient communication across internal and external entities by documenting, filtering, and elevating essential information and requests to the Director. Providing excellent customer service to internal and external project sponsors throughout project life cycles is also a critical aspect of this role.

Responsibilities

• Provide project and technical management oversight for projects in the Division's research portfolio, including timeline and budget tracking.
• Assist with the development of interim and final project deliverables.
• Schedule and run internal and customer-facing meetings, and keep meeting notes.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with external sponsors and vendor organizations to facilitate effective project delivery and generation of new opportunities.
• Follow guidance and implement project management best practices as recommended by VTTI's Project Management Office leadership.
• Participate in project proposal efforts through concept ideation, development of work breakdown structures, vendor/partner interactions, writing, and budget development.
• Support the management of assets such as development tools, intellectual property, equipment, 3rd party software, research tools, research vehicles, and facilities.
• Support efficient communications across internal and external entities by documenting, filtering, and elevating essential information and requests to the Director.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external project sponsors throughout project life cycles.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or equivalent; candidates with a Bachelor's degree and significant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing positive relationships with external sponsors, partners, and vendors.
• Demonstrated experience with preparing ROM and detailed budgets, forecasting, and managing actual expenditures compared to approved budgets.
• Demonstrated project management experience in conducting complex research projects in an academic or industrial environment.
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced flexible research environment.
• Good documentation skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Creative, independent, and highly motivated with strong work habits.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Understanding of engineering principles needed to analyze, verify, and interpret work.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in or familiarity with transportation safety, connected vehicles, automation, and/or vehicle electronics.
• Experience with basic project management tools and techniques.
• Experience with standard Office applications such as Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint.

Benefits

• Commensurate salary based on experience starting at $75,000.
• Opportunity to work in a leading global research institution with a significant presence across Virginia.
• Access to a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity.