Operational Program Manager Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Posting Details
Position Information
Position/Classification Title
Program Manager
Working Title
Program Manager for Administration
Position Number
819866
FLSA
Exempt
Appointment Type
Time Limited - Full Time
Tenure Track
No
FTE
1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months
If time limited, duration date
05/30/2027
Department Hiring Range
The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise
EEO-1 Category
Professionals
SOC Code
19-3099 - Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
Position Overview
Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!
Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution-we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as 'The City of Medicine,' NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.
Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.
An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU.edu.
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Community Service Leave
• NC State - Health Benefits
• NCFlex - Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 11-12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans - 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount and more.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (BBRI) is a 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art research facility that is dedicated to expanding the University's research capacity, particularly in the biomedical and biotechnology areas. The BBRI is a broad-based multi-disciplinary research and training institute. The mission of the BBRI is to conduct multidisciplinary and inter-institutional research focused on health issues that disproportionately affect minority and underserved groups while providing students with research experiences that will enhance their access to careers in the biomedical sciences.
Primary Purpose of Position
The role of the Program Manager is to coordinate the day-to-day operations of the RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research (RCHDR) at North Carolina Central University. The RCHDR is a multi-component NIH-funded program.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The Program Manager must have the experience, education, and professional judgment necessary to function as a high-level administrator and productive team member within a complex, federally funded research environment. The individual must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently while ensuring the successful execution of a long-term NIH-funded program.
Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of NIH-funded grant administration, including multi-year project coordination, compliance requirements, reporting cycles (e.g., RPPR), and communication with federal sponsors.
• Working knowledge of research program operations in a biomedical, public health, or scientific environment, including coordination of multiple investigators, cores, and affiliated projects.
• Understanding of institutional and federal policies related to sponsored research, including budget management, allowable costs, effort reporting, and data stewardship.
• Familiarity with program evaluation, performance metrics, and data collection used to assess progress toward grant objectives.

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare annual and interim progress reports, meeting summaries, proposals, presentations, and other non-technical documents required by NIH and institutional stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to oversee multiple concurrent activities, meet strict deadlines, and track milestones over a five-year funding period.
• Proven ability to coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, advisory committee activities, and multi-site or inter-institutional collaborations.
• Budget monitoring and financial coordination skills, including tracking expenditures, reconciling budgets, and working closely with fiscal and grants management personnel to ensure compliance with NIH and university policies.
• Effective interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to engage faculty investigators, administrators, external advisory board members, community partners, and program staff.
• Competence in maintaining program visibility through management of websites, communications materials, and appropriate marketing or outreach platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Abilities

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability to the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, and program leadership.
• Capacity to synthesize information across scientific, administrative, budgetary, and reporting domains to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Ability to identify operational challenges, communicate issues proactively, and recommend practical solutions to ensure program continuity and success.
• Ability to support long-term program sustainability through comprehensive documentation, data organization, and coordination of planning and evaluation activities.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment and adapt to evolving NIH priorities over the life of the grant.

Preferred

• Prior experience managing NIH-funded centers, cooperative agreements, or large multi-project grants.
• Experience working in a scientific or biomedical research setting with faculty investigators and external collaborators.

Minimum Education/Experience
Candidates for the position of Program Manager should have a Master's level or higher STEM degree with project management experience, training and experience in grants management.
Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation
N/A
Pre-Employment Requirement
Pre-Employment Requirements:

• You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting.
• Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.
• North Carolina Central University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer. North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University's internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.
Work Location
Fully On-site (dedicated office at Duty Station)
Primary Responsibilities and Duties
Function
Administrative
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
Responsibilities for the manager include logistical arrangement for all aspects of the RCHDR, including organizing all meetings, workshops, retreats and seminars. The manager will also coordinate RCHDR sponsored activities of investigators and arrange for travel for seminar speakers and advisory committee members. The manager will attend monthly Pl meetings, composing and maintaining minutes of the RCHDR. Reports of problems and issues within the RCHDR will be provided at the monthly meeting by the manager. The manager will arrange meetings of the Internal and External Advisory Committees and provide support through recording activities for generation of reports. Preparation of annual progress reports on activities by the RCHDR for submission to the National Institute of Minority Health Disparities will also be one of the responsibilities of the manager.
Function
Program Planning, Organizing, and Management
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
The manager will also coordinate the maintenance of the RCHDR's website and social media pages to ensure current and accurate content. The manager's duties will include interactions with the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, NCCU's administration, RCHDR leaders and investigators, staff, and outreach participants to ensure seamless operations.
Function
Research
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.
The manager will also coordinate data for planning and evaluation of the effectiveness of the RCHDR. The Program Manager will work under the guidance of the Pl, Co-ls, Core leaders, and Scientific Research Coordinator in concert with the Data Analyst and Budget Officer in coordination of RCHDR activities.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
EPA03522P
Open Date
06/03/2026
Date desired for closing or initial review
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Date Position Available
Special Instructions to Applicants
For priority consideration, please apply by Sunday June 28, 2026.