OverviewSenior Virology Branch PM Support professional to provide project management support for the Molecular Virology Branch within the Virology Division. This position supports research programs through project planning, proposal development, budget execution, agreement management, schedule tracking, risk management, milestone monitoring, scientific reporting, and portfolio oversight activities. The incumbent works closely with Principal Investigators, leadership, sponsors, and support organizations to facilitate successful project execution while maintaining visibility on project cost, schedule, performance, issues, and risks. This position functions primarily as direct project management support to researchers while also supporting program-level metrics, reporting, and portfolio management activities.
Responsibilities- Will create, revise and review proposal documents and PI submissions for new projects, verify that PRC documents are complete, and assist with formatting of Spend Plans, Timelines and SOWs. Track Branch submission status and coordinate activities with Directorate PM and BIP.
- Ensure completeness of agreement packets and that they are routed appropriately. Track agreement expiration dates and ensure that renewals are submitted when required to avoid any lapse in service. Report the status of research projects, ensuring that all reporting is accurate and timely. Track agreement/project milestones, notify/assist BIP with invoicing activities, and ensures that information is accurate and timely. Leverage assistance and expertise from Division PM as needed.
- Assist with tracking FTE coverage of Branch personnel directly funded by projects by month. Consolidate and report Branch data for Command Budget Estimate/taskers. Assist with Branch and PI project changes in budgets/execution.
- Shall review and report on project tasks within the Branch. Identify issues and risks and discuss progress with PIs and Branch/Division leadership regularly. Review and report on timeline status. Identify issues and risks and discuss progress with PIs and Branch/Division leadership regularly. Inform Division and RPO leadership of significant issues and risks, assist in developing risk mitigation strategies, and assist in developing get well plans for in trouble projects. Assist PIs with project execution, to include administrative tasks and sponsor/partner communications. Participate in the development of Branch/Division and Command level Review & Analysis (R&A).
- Shall review and track budget execution reports for Branch projects. Assess Spend Plans to ensure projects are being executed according to approved plans. Assist PIs in identifying solutions to issues/risks and report status to Branch/Division leadership regularly.
- Initiate CR as needed to get approval for cost, schedule and/or scope changes. Assist PIs with development of CR documentation. Identify causes and solutions related to cost, schedule and scope changes. Manage CR requests IAW standardized/established rules.
- Shall provide quality control/quality review support of all project-related documents to enhance quality through standardization. Compile Branch level data as requested to support project/science related taskers (Institute or higher Command requests). Assist with initiation of DURC reviews when necessary. Work with PIs to initiate manuscripts, presentations and abstracts for approval through the Institute clearance process. Monitor due dates of project report deliverables and assist PIs to complete internal reviews prior to sponsor submission.
- May provide project management support to other Directorates or Divisions as determined and directed by Institute leadership. May also support special efforts within the Institute in cases where project management skills support a collective Institute mission.
- Communicate and coordinate with Branch Chief, PIs, study staff, and service areas to facilitate project execution. Track and assist with completion/documentation of critical tasks, deliverables, milestones, agreements, and purchases required to execute projects. Conduct required product/service research, documentation, and obtains approvals required to procure equipment, supplies, and service contracts.
- Participate in weekly meeting with Branch leadership and funding agency to facilitate PM discussion and provide updates and progress execution. Participate in Scientific Progress report meeting with researchers to track project progress and adjust timeline and spending plans.
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports, new proposals, and manuscripts as requested. May be required to travel and participate with the Government at scientific conferences or meetings with funding agencies to assist in the identification of funding opportunities. Shall identify, record, and report potential opportunities to the TPOC for consideration and evaluation.
- On average the Contractor shall be expected to directly manage approximately 20-30 projects with at total annual portfolio budget of $5-10M.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Life Sciences, Public Administration, Scientific Management, or a related field.
- Typically requires experience consistent with a Project Manager 3 labor category.
- Minimum one (1) year of project management experience.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience working within a scientific, laboratory, technical, or research environment.
- Degree in Project Management or current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited technical direction.
- Experience supporting project planning, execution, budgeting, scheduling, reporting, and risk management activities.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and supporting stakeholder communications.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and competing requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- T3 investigation required.
- Successfully pass background and drug screening
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current PMP certification.
- Experience supporting federal research, laboratory, scientific, biodefense, infectious disease, or government-funded research programs.
- Experience supporting research proposal development, research agreements, and sponsor-funded projects.
- Experience supporting project portfolios valued at $5M or greater.
- Experience supporting budget planning, spend plan management, and project execution reviews.
- Experience supporting DURC reviews and scientific publication approval processes.
- Experience preparing technical documentation, scientific reports, proposals, manuscripts, and project status briefings.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary scientific project teams.
- Experience supporting command-level reporting and strategic planning activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
- Knowledge of research proposal development, research agreements, project change management, and project execution processes.
- Knowledge of budgeting, spend plans, resource planning, project controls, and financial tracking.
- Knowledge of risk identification, mitigation planning, and project performance assessment methodologies.
- Knowledge of scientific research environments and project lifecycle management.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project.
- Ability to interpret project metrics and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues.
- Ability to prepare project reports, schedules, presentations, technical documents, and management briefings.
- Ability to communicate effectively with scientists, technical staff, sponsors, leadership, and stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, project coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
