Research Associate Project Manager Jobs in Long Beach, CA

About CENIC:

Join the team that connects California to the world — advancing education and research statewide by providing the world-class computing network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. Our organization operates the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity computer network with more than 8,000 miles of optical fiber. The network serves over 20 million users across California, including the vast majority of K-20 students, together with educators, researchers, and individuals at other vital public-serving institutions.

POSITION SUMMARY:  

Reporting to the Manager of the Program Management Office, the Associate Project Manager works within the Program Management Office (PMO) with close supervision to plan and manage initiatives of moderate size and scope; including small and medium projects/grants. This position is responsible for the quality and delivery of CENIC’s service commitments on schedule and within budget, using internal and external resources and following CENIC standard policies and procedures. The Associate Project Manager may lead all phases of small and medium-sized project(s). This position will partner with other Project Manager(s) to  provide timely solutions within the schedule, budget and quality. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

The following section details the primary responsibilities and duties of the role and is not a comprehensive list. The Associate Project Manager is expected to perform these duties in the normal course of work. Non-essential responsibilities, those considered peripheral, incidental or a minimal part of the job, are not specified in this section.  

• Work to support other Project Manager(s) to accomplish milestones, activities, and tasks that may require more than one PM to complete (ex. e-rate quoting, filing, and processing).   

• Effectively manage multiple competing projects and shifting priorities.  

• Day-to-day project support for multiple small to medium sized project plans and teams working on the various work areas identified.  

• Regularly track projects, manage project risks and impact of changes, provide mitigation plans and proactively manage escalation of issues to appropriate stakeholders.  

• Review project team deliverables to ensure quality and adherence to internal standards.  

• Develop strong relationships with customers to understand their needs, to anticipate obstacles to success, and to advocate internally on their behalf.  

• Run ad hoc reports and develop standard reports in order to establish metrics for teams and to ensure performance against metrics is tracked, measured and socialized on a regular basis.  

• Analyze trends and consolidate data/information for review with Project Managers .   

• Provide feedback and make recommendations to management on process improvements, technology, training requirements, etc.  

• Develop and maintain a productive relationship with CENIC associates, providers of goods and services, and industry partners.  

• Other duties as assigned.  

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:  

• Experience with project management principles.  

• Experience with vendor management.  

• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, with strong ability to influence others.  

• Ability to work cross functionally for deliverables across multiple workgroups.

• Demonstrate solid analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to use data effectively to drive recommendations.  

• Good oral and written communication skills.  

• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  

• Ability to consider, understand and prioritize security (and privacy, where applicable) principles, practices, and procedures in all aspects of your role with CENIC.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; relevant work experience may be considered in place of degree.  

• Project management certification is preferred.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:    

• Experience managing small and medium projects through their entire life cycle.

• Experience with network technology or telecommunications.     

• Experience in a university/research environment.   

• Professional Services Implementation experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position operates in a professional office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.