A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience and skillset. In the cover letter, two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file, due to system limitations.

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted for an initial screening interview followed by a second interview for select candidates. Additionally, samples of relevant work may be requested.

The Institute for Advanced Construction Futures (IACF) at the University of Michigan is an inaugural Impact Institute funded by UM's Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) aimed to propel interdisciplinary research at the forefront of innovation and societal impact.  IACF mobilizes innovative research and cross-sector partnerships to advance a "Construction 4.0" ecosystem transition - across advanced on-site and off-site construction technologies, operations, policies, financing models, and workforce development - to address America's urgent housing and building infrastructure needs more sustainably, efficiently, and affordably.

We are looking for a part-time project manager who wants to help build something new from the ground up. Working closely with the institute director, co-directors, and co-investigators, you will be a true institutional co-builder helping launch the institute, grow partnerships, and establish the operational foundation for sustained impact. This is not a role for someone who wants to manage a steady-state operation; it is for someone energized by the start-up phase of an ambitious initiative. You'll also be able to increase your knowledge of the IACF's specific content area, vision and goals. You will independently represent the institute, engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, external partners, and cross-sector collaborators.

Note: This role is part-time (approximately 20 hours/week) and hybrid with on-site expectations in Ann Arbor two to three days per week. You may work evenings and weekends for occasional events and travel. For questions about this role or accommodations, please contact talent.acquistion@umich.edu. The employment is expected to be 12 months  with an option to extend to 18 months or potentially longer if funding is obtained.  

In close partnership with the institute's director, professor Kathy Velikov, co-directors professors Charlene Zietsma and Vineet Kamat,and multi-disciplinary investigators, you will help launch and grow IACF across six potential areas: 

• Partner Discovery Research & Qualitative Data Analysis: Interview potential ecosystem partners of IACF including construction companies, manufacturers, architects, developers, economic development, planning boards, municipal and state authorities, funders (NSF, HUD, DOE, private finance), nonprofits and community organizations, labor groups, user groups and educators, then analyzing and presenting the data to help craft IACF value propositions and communications.
• Partner & Network Building: In partnership with the director and co-directors, cultivate and grow partner relationships across the ecosystem above, and help recruit and establish the external advisory board. Actively network with relevant U-M units and personnel to expand the institute's membership and cross-campus collaborations.
• Partnerships & Agreements: Support institute directors and investigators in developing MOUs, data-sharing agreements, and formal research collaborations, coordinating with university Innovation Partnerships and College Research Administration.
• Research Roadmapping & Grantwriting: Partner with institute PIs to support the production of white papers, internal and external grant applications, bringing insights, coordination, and collaboration with industry and external partners. 
• Workshops & Events: Help plan and execute workshops, meetings, and events, including a  cross-sector public symposium held at U-M. Oversee student assistants as needed.
• Institute Communications & Presence: Help coordinate the development and maintenance of the institute website. Draft and coordinate institute communications including partner updates, annual reports, event materials, and funding correspondence. Serve as a point of contact for IACF correspondences.
• Institute Operations & Compliance: Organize internal meetings in coordination with director/co-director calendars. Maintain project management systems and detailed records to ensure continuity and compliance across a distributed team. 

• Master's degree in business administration, public policy, sustainability, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing projects in complex organizational settings.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder projects.
• Proven ability in program development and strategic planning with strong execution skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams and ambiguity in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in AI use for efficiency, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and database systems and exposure to qualitative data analysis. 

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

We aim to create a community of mutual respect and trust where everyone's backgrounds, identities, and views are represented without any threat of bias, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. Learn more about the shared values we have for our community.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.