Student Program Manager Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
05/11/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45004B
Job Title
Academic Program Manager
Working Title
Program Manager
Career Progression Track
E
Track Level
FLSA Code
Executive
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
Traditional office hours, M-F 8 am - 5 pm with some evening and weekend commitments, as required.
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
00113 - College of Science-Dean
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$50,000 - $61,710
Close Date
08/31/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
06/12/2026
Job Summary
The Science Research Initiative (SRI) in the University of Utah's College of Science invites applications for a Program Manager. SRI is a dynamic, rapidly growing program that connects undergraduate students with research experiences, career development, and a community of scientists through several integrated initiatives, including SRI research streams, the Career Accelerator Program (CAP), First Experience (SCI 1500), and ACCESS Scholars programming. Since its founding, SRI has served more than 700 undergraduate students, and in the coming year will support 13 Postdoctoral Research Fellows alongside continued program expansion.
The Program Manager leads the operational side of SRI, working alongside the Director, Associate Directors, Postdoctoral Fellows, and stream leaders to ensure programs run smoothly, scale effectively, and deliver a high-quality experience to students and Fellows. This role recruits, supervises, and develops a team of SRI student ambassadors who carry out day-to-day logistical and administrative tasks - allowing the Program Manager to focus on program strategy, systems, partnerships, and team leadership.
This is a high-level, high-visibility role within a program that is growing quickly and has strong institutional support. The right candidate is an experienced program leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, builds and develops effective teams, and is committed to the success of undergraduate researchers.
Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day operations across all SRI initiatives - research streams, CAP, SCI 1500, SCI 2715, and ACCESS programming - ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery
• Partner with the SRI leadership team to translate program priorities into operational plans, timelines, and systems
• Identify opportunities to improve, scale, or evolve programs based on student outcomes, feedback, and growth

Student Experience & Ambassador Team

• Recruit, supervise, train, and develop a team of SRI student ambassadors who support program logistics, events, communications, and student onboarding
• Hold responsibility for hiring, scheduling, and performance management of the ambassador team
• Foster a cohesive, high-quality student experience across SRI's integrated initiatives

Events, Recruitment & Course Coordination

• Oversee SRI and CAP event programming, including retreats, speaker series, the annual symposium, and Postdoctoral Fellow interview processes
• Direct the SRI student application, review, and onboarding processes
• Coordinate course operations for SCI 1500 and SCI 2715, including section requests, scheduling, and TA onboarding

Finance, Travel & Procurement

• Oversee program travel, scholarship administration, and conference/publication funding for students, Fellows, and stream leaders
• Manage program purchasing through UShop and the university PCard in line with U of U policy
• Help maintain operational systems for budget tracking and policy documentation in collaboration with leadership

Marketing & External Engagement

• Oversee program communications, including the weekly SRI newsletter and student-facing updates
• Partner with College of Science marketing on website, materials, and promotional campaigns
• Represent SRI at College of Science and university-wide events, and at external conferences

Strategic Contribution & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute insights and recommendations to strengthen SRI's impact and inform leadership decisions
• Adapt to evolving priorities and take on new areas of responsibility as the program grows

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related area plus three years of experience in budget, grant and program management or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required. Develops and implements program ideas into successful academic and research programs; demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences

• Experience working in a university, research, or academic program setting
• Familiarity with University of Utah systems (CIS, UShop, PeopleAdmin, MyTime)
• Experience supervising student workers, ambassadors, interns, or other emerging leaders
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex projects and drive them forward with minimal direction
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort operating in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Experience with student recruitment, onboarding, or academic advising support
• Experience managing budgets, processing reimbursements, or administering scholarship programs
• Demonstrated ability to develop and document administrative processes and policies

Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.