Program Manager, Research and Creative Excellence
University of CincinnatiJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
UC is hiring a Program Manager for the Graduate College to advance graduate research and creative works, overseeing flagship programs such as the Three Minute Thesis (3MT), Research + Innovation Week, and related workshops, while coordinating with campus partners including the Office of Research, UC Libraries, and offices supporting nationally competitive awards. The successful candidate will manage program planning, data tracking, and communications, design skill-building workshops, maintain a database of funding opportunities, and cultivate inclusive relationships with graduate students, faculty, and postdocs; occasional evenings or weekends may be required. Requirements: bachelor’s degree, at least three years in higher education or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred. Apply through the UC applicant portal; current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors. Prepare a focused resume that demonstrates project management, event execution, stakeholder collaboration, familiarity with graduate research processes, and ORCID.
Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors
Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.
UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.
Job Overview
The Graduate College is seeking a Program Manager to enhance support for graduate research and creative works at the University of Cincinnati (UC). We are looking for a team member with strong organizational, planning and time management skills to assist in the tracking of current graduate student research and creative impact; lead the development, planning and implementation of programming designed to increase the profile of graduate student research and creative activities within the university; and provide wraparound support for graduate student researchers, scholars, and artists.
The Program Manager will support life cycle of graduate student research and creative works as well as promote opportunities for sponsored work through campus programming, educational efforts, and coordination with the Graduate College’s campus partners, including, but not limited to, the Office of Research, UC Libraries, and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.
The Program Manager will oversee the Graduate College’s signature research and creative works programs, including the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, Research + Innovation Week, and workshops. The Program Manager also will be responsible for developing new programs and events and collaborating with campus partners on graduate student initiatives related to research and creative works.
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build relationships across cultures with graduate students, faculty, staff, and community members. This professional will cultivate relationships and provide an engaging and stimulating environment for graduate students that supports the mission of the university and the Graduate College.
This position may require occasional evening and weekend availability to support Graduate College programs, events, and initiatives.
Essential Functions
- Serve as a point person and liaison to facilitate communication and collaboration among multiple units and constituents involved in delivering programs that support research and creative works for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, ensuring the Graduate College and its programs are consistently represented in a positive and professional manner.
- Provide comprehensive administrative and programming support to the leadership team; assist in program and event planning; support office operations; maintain records and documentation; organize and analyze data; and prepare surveys, reports, outreach materials, and other correspondence.
- Organize, plan, and prepare students for participation in signature research-related events, including the international 3MT competition.
- Facilitate programming for graduate student communities of practice, workshops, Research + Innovation Week, and related initiatives.
- Design and facilitate workshops, seminars, and/or boot camps focused on research skill development, including literature reviews, data management, data analytics, Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCIDs), and research repository databases.
- Maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date database of internal and external funding opportunities relevant to graduate students across all disciplines, including fellowships, grants, awards, and scholarships.
- Partner with faculty advisers and program directors to identify skill gaps and develop targeted programming to address student needs.
- Demonstrate initiative, independent decision-making, and a high level of professionalism while providing event management and support for graduate student and postdoctoral scholar programming.
- Collaborate with other Graduate College administrative staff to facilitate program development and event planning.
- Demonstrate outstanding customer service skills and comfort working in a fluid environment that serves a diverse array of constituent groups.
- Work with a high degree of accuracy and handle confidential material in accordance with university policies and federal regulations.
Required Education
- Master’s degree in a research or creative field, such as social sciences, arts, natural sciences or humanities, preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
Required Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in higher education, research administration, grant writing, arts administration, or a related professional role.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the graduate research process and/or creative practice in an academic setting.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and projects.
Additional Qualifications Considered
- Personal experience applying for and/or receiving competitive research, scholarship or creative works funding, such as awards offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Fulbright program, American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), Mellon Foundation, or similar organizations.
- Familiarity with research compliance processes, including IRB and IACUC, and their relevance to student researchers.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
- Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.
Compensation and Benefits
UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. (UC Benefits) Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:
Comprehensive Tuition Remission
UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.
Robust Retirement Plans
As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.
Real Work-Life Balance
UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:
Vacation and sick time
11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)
6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents
Additional Benefits Include:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
- Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
- Professional development & mentorship opportunities
To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our Careers Page.
UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. Click here for a list of acceptable documents.
Important: To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider “easy apply” applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact UC HR at [email protected].
Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.
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