Program Manager Research Operations Jobs in Massachusetts

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY:

The Research Program Manager - Level 1 is responsible for the end-to-end management of federally funded research programs at the Kostas Research Institute (KRI) at Northeastern University, with a focus on delivering customer value through applied research and product development.This position reports to the Director of Program Management and provides program, product, and project management across multiple federal research contracts, balancing traditional government program management requirements with a product-oriented approach that emphasizes user needs, feasibility, and mission viability.

The Research Program Manager - Level 1 oversees a portfolio of 2-4 programs with low to moderate complexity, managing cost, schedule, and performance while maintaining strong focus on outcomes and product strategy.Responsibilities include engaging directly with federal sponsors and end users to gather requirements and feedback, coordinating with technical teams to define and deliver solutions that meet customer needs, managing program execution to ensure contractual compliance, and supporting business development activities including proposal development and customer relationship management.

This dynamic position requires interaction with internal KRI researchers, technical leads, the Chief Technology Officer, principal investigators, finance, and security; as well as the Northeastern University Research Enterprise Systems (NU-RES) staff, external partners and subcontractors, and federal agency program managers and contracting officers.The successful candidate will combine solid understanding of federal research program requirements with a customer-centric mindset, focusing on delivering value while ensuring compliance with government regulations and contractual obligations.They will demonstrate the ability to balance what should be built with how it should be delivered, working collaboratively across technical and business functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Bachelor's degree required
• 3-5 years of experience managing or supporting federally funded research programs,with demonstrated understanding of compliance, reporting, and contractual requirements associated with federal funding (experience with Department of War or other national security agencies preferred but not required)
• Working knowledge of or willingness to learnFederal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFAR), the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) concepts
• Technical aptitudewith ability to understand technical concepts, work effectively with engineers and researchers, and translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong organizational skillswith the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously, prioritize competing demands, and work independently to meet milestones and quality expectations
• Customer-focused mindsetwith ability to engage with sponsors and end users to understand needs, gather feedback, and ensure deliverables provide value
• Excellent communication skills(written and verbal) with ability to interact effectively with government sponsors, technical teams, senior leadership, and external partners
• Highly organized and detailed-orientedwith demonstrated ability to track deliverables, manage schedules, and ensure contractual compliance
• Strong problem-solving skillswith ability to identify risks and develop appropriate solutions
• Proficiency with MS Office suiteand ability to learn new programs and systems with ease
• Experience with program/project/product management tools and methodologies;PMP, PgMP, or DAWIA certification helpful but not required
• Demonstrated product thinking(experience balancing customer value, technical feasibility, business viability, and user needs) preferred by not required
• Ability to travel as required

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Program Management & Execution (60%)

Program Oversight

• Provide comprehensive program, project, and product management for a portfolio of 2-4 federally funded research programs with low to moderate complexity
• Create and maintain program schedules, identify critical path tasks and dependencies, and manage resources to ensure on-time delivery
• Develop and manage program budgets in collaboration with finance support, ensuring programs execute within defined financial parameters
• Conduct regular program reviews analyzing value, viability, usability, and feasibility, identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies
• Monitor and track program deliverables, ensuring timely and compliant submissions
• Prepare program status reports, briefings, and documentation for internal leadership and external sponsors

Contract & Compliance Management

• Ensure all contractual elements and requirements are met throughout the program lifecycle from initiation to closeout
• Collaborate with NU-RES staff to prepare transaction requires forms and manage administrative requirements
• Review and approve invoices payable by KRI and ensure timely and accurate invoicing to sponsors
• Maintain awareness of contract types, funding mechanisms, and regulatory requirements applicable to federal funded research
• Manage subcontractor relationships and ensure flowdown requirements support prime contract obligations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with technical leads, the Chief Technology Officer, and principal investigators to align program execution with technical approach and deliverables
• Coordinate with finance and security personnel to ensure program compliance with financial and security requirements
• Provide guidance to technical research staff on program requirements, schedules, and deliverable expectations
• Facilitate communication and coordination across geographically dispersed program teams

Customer Engagement & Product Strategy (25%)

Customer Discovery & Requirements

• Engage directly with federal sponsors, program managers, and end users to understand mission needs and gather requirements
• Conduct user research and feedback sessions to inform product development and ensure solutions meet customer needs
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government customers, serving as primary point of contact for assigned programs
• Translate customer needs into actionable requirements for technical teams, balancing what should be built with technical feasibility and program constraints
• Participate in program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer demonstrations

Product Development & Strategy

• Collaborate with technical teams to define product roadmaps and development approaches that deliver customer value
• Support decision-making regarding product features, priorities, and tradeoffs based on customer value, technical feasibility, and business viability
• Identify opportunities for technology transition and facilitate pathways to operational use
• Monitor user feedback and product performance to inform iterative improvements and future development

Stakeholder Management

• Represent KRI at customer meetings, conferences, symposia, and industry events
• Communicate program status, technical progress, and product value to diverse stakeholders
• Manage stakeholder expectations and navigate competing priorities across customer, technical, and organizational needs

Business Development and Growth (15%)

Proposal Development

• Support proposal development for new and follow-on funding opportunities
• Write program management sections of proposals, white papers, and capability statements
• Review and provide input on technical approaches and budgets to ensure feasibility and execution
• Collaborate with business development and technical teams to develop compelling, customer-focused proposals

Partnership & Opportunity Development

• Identify potential transition programs, customers, and collaboration opportunities
• Support partner development activities and relationship building with government, industry, and academic partners
• Contribute to identification of new research and development opportunities aligned with customer needs and KRI capabilities

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve program management processes and tools
• Support implementation of best practices in program, project, and product management

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.