Research Program Manager

Research Program Manager

The Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines seeks a Research Program Manager to oversee comprehensive financial operations across multiple research centers and manage departmental research activities.

This position manages complex financial portfolios exceeding $35 million, supervises research support staff, and serves as the primary liaison between principal investigators (PIs) and various university offices. The successful candidate will bring advanced analytical skills, financial management expertise, and the ability to develop automated reporting systems that enhance efficiency and support research excellence. This role oversees a broad range of administrative and operational functions including graduate contract and fellowship management, leading communications and event planning for research centers, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor policies while supporting faculty, students, and departmental goals.

Primary Responsibilities :

Fiscal Management and Analysis (51%)

Oversee all financial operations for research centers and departmental research funds, managing $35M+ across 20+ PIs.

Monitor and report on over 200 research, equipment, and professional development accounts.

Build and analyze detailed budgets and projections; advise PIs on optimal fund allocation and compliance.

Support budget modifications, at-risk assessments, and extensions with the Office of Research Administration.

Manage reallocations, journal entries, and invoicing for research lab equipment customers.

Ensure adherence to fiscal policies and proper accounting of university funds.

Provide financials for CANFSA Consortia meetings and other reporting needs.

Human Resources and Contract Management (15%)

Collaborate with faculty to plan and project grant / fund allocations for graduate student support.

Prepare graduate student, faculty summer / winter, and research contracts in compliance with policies and timelines.

Ensure adherence to university and sponsor requirements for all appointments.

Fellowship Management (9%)

Advise students and faculty on fellowship spending and balance tracking.

Coordinate with the Mines Foundation to meet fund reporting requirements and assist with new funding requests.

Manage fellowship promotional materials and event coordination.

Operations and Supervision (5%)

Supervise and mentor the Research Support II employee.

Manage departmental supply budgets, vendor relations, and purchasing for research labs.

Train and guide staff on financial and administrative processes.

Strategic Liaison and Advisory Services (5%)

Serve as the primary liaison between PIs and the Office of Research Administration and Controllers Office. (2%)

Serve as secondary liaison with Human Resources.

Advise faculty and students on University, State, and Federal policies and procedures.

Facilitate time-sensitive paperwork and operational matters.

Communications and Special Projects (11%)

Plan and execute two annual CANFSA Consortia meetings and other special events.

Build and maintain research center websites (in coordination with support staff).

Lead communications related to research center activities and collaborations.

Other Duties (2%)

Stay current on Mines policies, procedures, and financial systems.

Participate in departmental and institutional meetings and trainings.

Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental goals.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field.

Minimum 5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in an academic or research setting.

Proven experience managing complex budgets exceeding $1 million.

Experience supervising and training professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications :

Masters degree in a related field.

7+ years of experience in research administration or academic financial management.

Experience in higher education financial operations.

Programming experience (Python preferred) for automated reporting.

Familiarity with federal research regulations and compliance requirements.

Experience with Workday or similar HRIS systems.

Knowledge of international researcher regulations and visa-related funding issues.

Grant management and proposal budget development experience.

Working Conditions :

Typical office environment with occasional extended hours during reporting cycles or event coordination. Limited travel for professional meetings or conferences may be required.

Total Rewards :

Rate of $65,000 - $72,000 Annually

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes :

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick / vacation time : 13 paid holidays per year including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail train transportation.

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu / human-resources / benefits.

About Mines and Golden, CO :

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 Very High Activity research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Equal Opportunity :

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.