Project Manager for the Center of Environmental Health and Susceptibility

About the job

Working Title

Project Manager for the Center of Environmental Health and Susceptibility

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The CEHS mission is to advance translational environmental health sciences research that serves North Carolina and the nation. We provide pilot project funding, access to translational research support, innovative molecular and data analytics, career development and training, and facilitate multidirectional communication with community partners.

Position Summary

The Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS) is a UNC-Chapel Hill collaborative center housed within the Gillings School of Global Public Health that advances translational environmental health sciences research serving North Carolina and the nation. Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) through a five-year, $7.7M P30 center grant, CEHS brings together researchers, physicians, public health professionals, educators, and community partners from across UNC including the Gillings School, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and UNC School of Medicine to address pressing environmental health challenges across three major research focus areas: environmental cancer, cardiopulmonary health, and healthy development and aging. The Center’s mission centers on translating interdisciplinary research on environmental health threats to improve public health in North Carolina, leveraging its Facility Cores, Career Development Program, and Community Outreach and Engagement Core (COEC) to move science from laboratory models to communities. The Project Manager for CEHS provides project management, operational leadership, and administrative oversight for the Center, reporting directly to the Research Program Director and coordinating Center-wide activities that support research, pilot projects, training programs, community engagement initiatives, and strategic priorities. Serving as a key member of the CEHS Administrative Core the organizational unit responsible for ensuring alignment with NIEHS, UNC, and community priorities this position manages the full breadth of sponsored research activities associated with the Center’s grant portfolio, including pre-award and post-award administration, compliance monitoring, budget oversight, progress reporting, and sponsor communications.

The Project Manager directly administers the Center’s Pilot Project Program, overseeing solicitation development, application review coordination, award administration, project monitoring, and outcome assessment, while facilitating interdisciplinary research collaborations and connecting investigators with Center resources, core facilities, and funding opportunities. This position coordinates the collection, analysis, and reporting of Center metrics, accomplishments, publications, grants, trainee outcomes, and community engagement activities, and supports the preparation of annual reports, progress reports, advisory committee materials, site visits, and Center renewal applications. The Project Manager works closely with Center leadership, faculty investigators, trainees, and university partners to manage projects, facilitate collaborations, support sponsored research activities, monitor Center performance metrics, and coordinate reporting requirements, as well as with external collaborators, community organizations, and NIEHS program officers. This position serves as a key member of the Administrative Core and helps ensure the successful implementation, growth, and long-term sustainability of Center programs and initiatives.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, programs, centers, or research initiatives, including developing and monitoring work plans, timelines, deliverables, performance measures, and operational processes, in an academic, public health, healthcare, nonprofit, government, or scientific environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple concurrent projects, activities, and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience coordinating activities across diverse stakeholder groups, including faculty, staff, trainees, institutional partners, community organizations, and external collaborators.
• Experience supporting sponsored research activities, including proposal development, project implementation, regulatory compliance, reporting requirements, budget monitoring, or research administration functions.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, track, and report programmatic data and performance metrics to support decision-making, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, meeting materials, and professional correspondence for a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings, manage committees or working groups, coordinate events, and ensure follow-through on projects and action items.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and establish productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, critical-thinking, and organizational skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience developing, implementing, and improving operational procedures, administrative processes, or programmatic workflows.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to coordinate, mentor, supervise, or provide work direction to staff, students, trainees, or project teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using project management, data management, or reporting tools to support program operations.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Experience supporting a multidisciplinary research center, institute, training program, or other complex academic research enterprise.
• Experience working with federally funded research programs, including NIH grants, center grants, or training grants.
• Knowledge of environmental health, public health, biomedical research, or community-engaged research.
• Experience with project management, strategic planning, program evaluation, or research development activities.
• Experience coordinating scientific meetings, workshops, advisory committees, or stakeholder engagement activities.
• Experience developing reports, presentations, communications materials, or research impact metrics.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or leading administrative, research, or project staff.
• Familiarity with university research administration, financial management, and compliance systems. Certification or formal training in project management, research administration, or a related field.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform work primarily in an office and hybrid computer-based environment. Duties require the ability to sit for extended periods; use a computer, keyboard, and other standard office equipment; and communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in writing.

Occasional lifting of light materials (e.g., files, documents, meeting supplies, or portable equipment) may be required. Periodic attendance at meetings, events, workshops, and other activities across campus may require walking between locations. Occasional travel may be required to support professional meetings, site visits, or Center-related activities.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin after the posting closes and continue until the position is filled.

Required Applicant Documents: 1) Curriculum Vitae/Resume 2) Cover Letter 3) List of References

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.