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Academic Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tek Pyramids Inc

Project Manager

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Project Manager Location: Palo Alto, CA Employment Type: Contract Duration: 3+ Months Contract ... experience with excellent academic record and experience in M&A project work; * Excellent ...

Inizio Partners

Project Manager

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

Project Manager - Collections Strategy * Location: San Francisco, CA * Type: Hybrid (2-3 days ... top tier academic institutions are also welcome to apply * Demonstrable leadership ability ...

Astera

Project Manager - DiffUSE Project

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$170K - $225K/yr

Serve as the project manager for The Diffuse Project, ensuring the strategic alignment of teams, academic leaders, and members across the project. * Serve as the primary point of contact for all ...

Sandis

Project Manager

Roseville, CA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

Our project managers oversee and supervise a design team up to three individuals. If you have a ... healthcare, academic, hospitality, civic, justice, and public works sectors. We are a team of ...

Sacramento State

Project Manager

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$12K/mo

Project Manager Apply now Job no: 559628 Work type: Management (MPP) Location: Sacramento ... academic mission and enhance the campus environment. For additional information, please visit our ...

Sandis

Project Manager

Campbell, CA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

Our project managers oversee and supervise a design team of up to six individuals. If you have a ... healthcare, academic, hospitality, civic, justice, and public works sectors. We are a team of ...

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Academic Project Manager information

What is an academic project manager?

Academic Project Managers are professionals who oversee and coordinate projects within educational or research institutions. They ensure that projects—such as research studies, curriculum development, or institutional initiatives—are completed on time, within budget, and according to set objectives. Their responsibilities include planning, resource allocation, communication between stakeholders, and risk management. Academic Project Managers often bridge the gap between academic staff and administrative departments, helping to translate ideas into actionable plans. Their role is crucial in supporting the successful delivery of academic and research goals.

How does an academic project manager typically coordinate with faculty and administrative staff throughout a project lifecycle?

An Academic Project Manager serves as the central point of communication between faculty, administrative staff, and sometimes external stakeholders. They organize regular meetings to align project goals, manage timelines, and clarify responsibilities. Effective collaboration often involves resolving scheduling conflicts, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, and providing updates on progress or obstacles. Building strong working relationships and maintaining transparent communication are key to successfully guiding projects from initiation to completion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Project Manager, you need strong organizational, project management, and academic administration skills, often supported by a degree in education or project management. Familiarity with project management software like Microsoft Project or Trello, as well as knowledge of institutional systems and compliance regulations, is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help you coordinate teams, manage stakeholders, and adapt to changing academic priorities. These skills ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with academic standards and institutional goals.

What is the difference between Academic Project Manager vs Research Coordinator?

AspectAcademic Project ManagerResearch Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or doctoral degree in a related field, project management certification is a plusUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant discipline, with some roles requiring research-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in academic institutions, universities, or research centers managing multiple projectsWorks in research settings, assisting with data collection, participant coordination, and study management
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed by universities, colleges, and research institutesEmployed by academic institutions, hospitals, or research organizations

The Academic Project Manager oversees research projects, manages teams, and ensures project goals are met within academic settings. In contrast, the Research Coordinator focuses on supporting specific research studies, handling data and participant coordination. Both roles require strong organizational skills and familiarity with research processes, but the Project Manager has broader responsibilities in project oversight.

What are popular job titles related to Academic Project Manager jobs in California?

For Academic Project Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Academic Project Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Academic Project Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Academic Project Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Academic Project Manager job openings:

Academic Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Academic Project Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution.

Entry Level Project Manager

San Diego, CA • On-site

Innovatus Technology Consulting
IT Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Innovatus Technology Consultingexternal

$80K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Entry-Level Project Manager
Innovatus Technology Consulting
Location: San Diego, CA (on-site or hybrid as mission requirements dictate)
Clearance: Active U.S. Secret clearance (or higher) required
About Innovatus Technology Consulting
Innovatus Technology Consulting is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in San Diego, California. Since 2012, we have delivered secure cloud engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, Microsoft enterprise services, network support, and program management solutions primarily to Department of Defense and national security customers. We emphasize integrity, technical excellence, and mission impact.
Position Overview
We are seeking an Entry-Level Project Manager to support and help lead smaller projects or defined work packages on DoD and federal IT contracts. This role is ideal for professionals ready to take ownership of project coordination, scheduling, risk tracking, and stakeholder communication while working under the guidance of senior Project or Program Managers. You will help ensure deliverables, timelines, documentation, and compliance requirements are met in both classified and unclassified environments.Key Responsibilities
  • Plan, coordinate, and track project activities, schedules, milestones, and deliverables for assigned work packages or smaller projects.
  • Develop and maintain project documentation, including project plans, schedules, risk registers, action-item logs, status reports, and meeting minutes.
  • Facilitate project meetings, prepare agendas, capture decisions and action items, and follow up to ensure timely completion.
  • Monitor progress against baselines, identify potential issues or risks early, and escalate as needed while proposing practical mitigation steps.
  • Support resource coordination, basic budget/expense tracking, and timesheet oversight under the direction of a senior PM.
  • Ensure adherence to contract requirements, quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001), security processes (including RMF considerations), and company procedures.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for routine communications among internal teams, subcontractors, and government stakeholders.
  • Maintain project repositories in SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar tools and support configuration management of key artifacts.
  • Assist with data calls, status reporting packages, and light proposal support as required.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of project management processes within a fast-paced defense IT environment.
Required Qualifications
  • Active U.S. Secret security clearance (minimum); higher clearances preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
  • 0–3 years of professional experience in project coordination, junior project management, or related roles (government contracting, defense, or IT experience strongly preferred). Recent graduates with relevant internships or academic project leadership experience are encouraged to apply.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project preferred) and collaboration platforms (Teams, SharePoint).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact professionally with technical teams, managers, and government customers.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and classified information appropriately.
  • U.S. citizenship required (due to clearance and contract requirements).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting DoD, NIWC Pacific, NAVWAR, or similar federal IT, cloud, or cybersecurity programs.
  • Familiarity with project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile/Scrum basics, or hybrid) and tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, or equivalent.
  • Prior experience in a cleared environment or with government contracting processes (e.g., CDRLs, status reporting, risk management).
  • CAPM, Google Project Management Certificate, or other entry-level project management credential (or willingness to obtain).
  • Veteran status or experience working with military/defense customers is a plus.
What We Offer
  • Opportunity to build project management skills while supporting meaningful national security and defense missions.
  • Mentorship from experienced Program and Project Managers.
  • Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and clearance level.
  • Benefits package typical for a growing SDVOSB (details provided during the hiring process).
  • Collaborative culture that values ethics, expertise, professional growth, and military-aligned talent.
  • Clear pathway for advancement into more senior project or program management roles

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