Education and Workforce Development Project SpecialistApplication Deadline: 7 August 2026
Department: Education and Workforce Development
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Reporting To: Program Director
Compensation: $85,000 - $98,000 / year
DescriptionThe Education and Workforce (EWD) Project Specialist will work with the BioMADE Education and Workforce Development (EWD) and greater Program Teams and be responsible for execution of activities associated with Project Management, ranging from coordinating project activities, summarizing and creating project reports and objectives, reviewing project proposals, to management of a portfolio of BioMADE projects. The Project Specialist will work closely with the internal BioMADE team, U.S. government program management team, and BioMADE members. Candidates who have experience managing government, industrial or multi-institution programs are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities- Support a portfolio of BioMADE EWD projects selected to advance bioindustrial manufacturing awareness, training, and career development. Monitor EWD program progress, deliverables and milestones, and project-related fiscal and administrative reporting.
- Utilize subject-matter expertise to guide and support project teams on proposal submission quality and compliance with BioMADE procedural requirements.
- Integrate elements of the BioMADE EWD guiding documents and defined metrics into project calls.
- Conduct regular status meetings with project teams. Review, evaluate, and approve monthly and quarterly project reports to ensure risks are mitigated and projects are progressing according to schedule.
- Reporting and presentation of project status, achievements, and products to internal stakeholders, government, members and the broader bioindustrial manufacturing EWD community.
- Collaborate with the BioMADE Communications Team on publications, presentations, and other project deliverables to ensure that projects are being appropriately shared with BioMADE membership and external stakeholders, in accordance with BioMADE guidelines.
- Utilize subject-matter expertise to guide and support members and project teams on proposal submission quality, and compliance with BioMADE procedural requirements.
- Conduct site visits to meet with COE hubs and with members working on funded projects.
- Present on BioMADE and programmatic success to various stakeholders including the public through conferences, academic and industry presentations, and other open venues.
- Other duties as assigned or as they become apparent.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise- MS (preferred) or Bachelor's Degree and 3+ years of relevant professional experience (teaching, research, industry) or BS/BA Degree and 4+ years' experience in educational programs related to bioindustrial manufacturing such as, but not limited to bioengineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, or business.
- Training or experience managing federal government programs, as a civil servant, military, MII or contractor, is a plus.
- Training or experience in the design and implementation of education and workforce programs, but not limited to, running internal or collaborative Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, industry/government-based training, and online, hybrid, and/or flexible learning platforms.
- Experience managing multi-institute programs, including in academia (K12, 2-yr and 4-yr post-secondary institutions), is a plus.
- Ability to resolve complex problems/issues and to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
- Effective communication skills, with evidence of strength of technical and persuasive writing.
- Experience in critical review and evaluation of scientific content and/or business proposals.
- Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data and information from various sources.
- Broad experience in any or multiple of the following technical areas: biotechnology and engineering, bioprocess development and optimization, molecular and synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and strain construction, pharmaceutical fermentation production, biopolymers and biomaterials, modeling of cell metabolism, bioprocess simulations, data analysis, statistics.
Job BenefitsBioMADE recognizes the importance of a happy and healthy staff that maintains a good work/life balance. BioMADE provides a comprehensive suite of health insurances, supplemental benefits, and paid time off to all regular full-time employees as outlined below. New employees become eligible for most benefits on the first day of the month following their hire date.
- 100% Employer paid options for medical insurance for BioMADE employees. Low-cost buy-up options also available.
- Generous cost-sharing for medical insurance for spouse and child(ren).
- Health Savings Account option for medical insurance.
- 100% Employer paid Dental and Vision insurance for BioMADE employees.
- Low-cost Dental insurance for spouse/child(ren) and with child ortho coverage.
- 100% employer paid Vision for employee, and spouse/child(ren) coverage.
- Section 125 Flexible Spending Plan options for Medical, Dependent Care, and Commuter Pre-Tax benefits.
- 100% Employer paid Life insurance with a 1x Annual Salary for Exempt staff and a Flat $50,000 benefit for hourly staff.
- 100% Employer paid Short Term Disability insurance and low-cost Voluntary Long Term Disability insurance available.
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% match on plan compensation (no vesting period!).
- Discretionary Incentive Plan based on organizational and individual performance.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) that begins to accrue from your hire date.
- 13 Paid holidays, including a winter break between Christmas Eve Day and New Year's Day.
- Paid Parental Leave- Up to 8 weeks of paid leave for new parents.
- Full access to LinkedIn Learning's Suite for professional development.
- Hybrid Work Policy for most positions; Stipend for Internet and personal cell phone use.
- Free Parking.
- Casual Dress Code.
- Free snacks and beverages at CA and MN office locations.
- Fun on and off-site employee activities sponsored by the Employee Engagement Committee
- On site gym access
- Pet Friendly office space
