Program Manager. Fusion Energy Technologies

Posting Number
req23531

Department
Research Innovation & Impact

Department Website Link
https://research.arizona.edu/

Location
Main Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) at the University of Arizona is excited to welcome applicants for the role of Program Manager, Fusion Energy Technologies.

Under the direction of the Special Advisor to the SVPRP the Program Manager will be a lead point of contact and responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of efforts in support of the fusion energy technologies strategic initiative. The Program Manager will work with the senior leadership, research teams, faculty and other stakeholders across campus to help identify and develop research and funding opportunities. The successful candidate will be expected to lead and manage faculty teams and initiative projects building strong, collaborative relationships with international, federal, state, and local government agencies and corporate affiliates.

Research is essential to improving lives, strengthening communities, preparing a competitive workforce, and driving solutions to the grand challenges we face.

The Office of Research and Partnerships expands the capacity of the University of Arizona research enterprise by fostering purposeful convergence and building powerful collaborations across academia, industry, government, and communities. Through this work, we translate discovery into impact-advancing knowledge that serves Arizona and resonates far beyond.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research Program Management:

• Identify research and grant proposal funding opportunities,manage large interdisciplinary and diverse projects, including but not limitedto interdisciplinary faculty teams.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with international,federal, state, and local government agencies and corporate affiliates.
• Manage the submission of grants to federal sponsors withfaculty across campus.
• Manage engagement, reporting, and interaction withinternational, federal, state, and local government agencies, sponsors, andcorporate affiliates to ensure project success.
• Lead long-range planning efforts in alignment with thestrategic mission and the broader goals of the University and the Office of theSenior Vice President for Research and Partnerships (SVPRP). Conduct annualstrategic reviews, assess risk, evaluate performance metrics, and ensureadaptive growth strategies to sustain and expand program impacts.
• Collaborate with leadership to refine priorities and setmeasurable goals for research, development, and community engagement.

Research Partnership Development:

• Provide leadership in all phases of the business developmentlifecycle to develop and grow programs.
• Develop and foster relationships among university facultyand staff, various community leaders, government agencies, and other fundingagencies. This will include identifying potential projects that meet the needsof funding agencies and partners, building effective interdisciplinary teams todevelop the projects, leading the proposal writing process and contributing tothe technical content.
• Determine strategic directions and develop and managepartnerships with outside organizations, including federal, state, and localagencies across the country.

Operations Management:

• Develop and implement the internal infrastructure, workcollaboratively with the SVPRP leadership team and other entities acrosscampus.
• May supervise and direct the efforts of program managers,administrative, technical, and management staff and students-direct day-to-dayadministrative aspects, including hiring, training, orientation, supervision,and evaluation.
• Make recommendations on compensation decisions, promotions,and work closely with a Sr. Human Resources Partner on managing employeerelations issues.
• Review workloads and reassign tasks as required to ensuretimely completion of projects or to take advantage of the special capabilitiesof the personnel.
• Foster a culture of growth and innovation by mentoring staffand early-career researchers, postdocs, and graduate students.
• Develop internal talent pipelines by facilitatingprofessional development opportunities, leading internal training programs, andhelping cultivate leadership potential across the university.
• Identify resource needs and recommend strategic hires tosupport emerging areas of research and program expansion.

Fiscal Management:

• Fiscally responsible in collaboration with the ORP BusinessCenter in managing various sources of program funds and recurringbudgets.
• Use independent judgment and authority in managing resourcesand specifying, ordering, and purchasing of equipment, supplies, and travel.

Other:

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams oncommunications (emails, newsletters, creating content, and writing) withinternal and external stakeholders.
• Increase brand awareness, bring in new customers andcoordinate public information efforts.
• Travel to visit possible funding sources to identifyresearch directions and formulate long-term business development strategies forthe fusion energy initiative.
• Additional duties may be assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Project management techniques/skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills
• Up-to-date computer skills, including internet and web-basedinterfaces
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to effectively evaluate projects/programs andproduce comprehensive reports
• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks under deadlines
• Interact with University administration, faculty, staff,students, and postdocs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree.
• Experience with NSF, DOE, DoD government policies and procedures, and data-driven decision-making processes.

FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Research

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
DOE

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade
11

Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level
PC4

Job Family
Research Program Admin

Job Function
Research

Type of criminal background check required:
Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Prof. Dr. Horst Hahn | hhahn@arizona.edu

Open Date
8/6/2025

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.