Description
UIDP is seeking a Program Manager who is energized by the opportunity to make a lasting impact through innovative collaborations between universities and companies worldwide. In this role, you’ll help shape forward-thinking programs, services, and initiatives that not only strengthen university-industry partnerships but also contribute to advancing the human condition.
As a Program Manager, you will play a central role in designing and delivering high-value programs that align with UIDP’s strategic vision. Working alongside a collaborative team and highly engaged stakeholders, you’ll transform bold ideas into meaningful action—supporting efforts in sponsored research partnerships, workforce development, innovation ecosystems, and more.
This is an especially exciting time to join UIDP. With national priorities evolving through significant developments such as the CHIPS and Science Act and our own ambitious SAMI initiative to modernize university-industry collaboration, you’ll be stepping into a moment of transformation and opportunity. If you’re motivated by mission-driven work and thrive at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and impact, we’d welcome your interest.
The Program Manager's duties include:
Collaborate for Success: Partner with program sponsors, UIDP members, and staff to creatively plan and shape the scope, deliverables, resources, timelines, and work plans for exciting current and new initiatives. Your input will be vital in bringing these projects to life!
Drive Impactful Goals: Set ambitious goals for programs and take ownership of delivering on established business objectives, ensuring that our initiatives make a meaningful difference.
Innovate with Volunteers: Work alongside the UIDP community’s passionate volunteers to brainstorm fresh ideas, transform them into innovative projects and programs, and compile compelling work reports that showcase our progress.
Mitigate Risks and Report Progress: Analyze and evaluate program risks while developing strategies to overcome them. You'll produce insightful program reports that keep management and stakeholders informed and engaged.
Craft High-Impact Reports: Write clear, impactful reports that synthesize insights for leaders who understand deeply the topics we seek to address. These reports will help communicate our successes and areas for growth.
Champion Our Initiatives: Promote UIDP's ongoing initiatives and key learnings to our internal teams and external communities, spreading the word about our important work and achievements.
Lead Learning Initiatives: Support the development of a dynamic learning management program to effectively share UIDP resources with the public, making our valuable knowledge accessible in a cohesive and engaging way.
Examples of some of our programs:
ERVA, The Engineering Research Visioning Alliance
SAMI, Strengthen & Modernize U-I Partnerships
Contracting Forum
HBCU Initiative
Requirements
You’re a dynamic program manager who thrives in evolving environments and adapts effortlessly to shifting priorities. Hungry to learn and contribute, you take initiative and move ideas into action with minimal supervision, consistently driving efficiency and meaningful results. Your humility is evident in the way you collaborate, listening attentively, valuing diverse perspectives, and supporting others to succeed. You’re also people-smart, building strong relationships and communicating with clarity and empathy. Highly organized and dependable, you manage deadlines with precision while fostering a positive and solutions-oriented atmosphere for the team.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree
5 years of program management, relevant research, or professional business experience
Requirements:
Lead with Confidence: You have a demonstrated ability to spearhead initiatives and work independently, confidently navigating challenges and driving projects to successful completion.
Data-Driven Decision Maker: You possess proven skills in developing and executing analyses that identify opportunities for program improvement and growth. Your strategic mindset enables you to craft effective plans that enhance overall performance.
Expert at Organization: With strong organizational skills, you excel at creating and implementing practical strategies and solutions to tackle identified issues. You approach problems methodically, ensuring that every detail is addressed.
Translating Insights into Action: You have the unique ability to take complex project findings and distill them into best practices and guidance that are easily understandable for both academic and general audiences. Your communication skills bridge gaps and foster collaboration.
Adaptable and Resourceful: Using sound, independent reasoning, and judgment, you establish work priorities and remain flexible in the face of constantly changing demands. You thrive in fast-paced environments, skillfully adjusting to shifting deadlines without losing momentum.
Exceptional Communicator: Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills allow you to effectively connect with team members, stakeholders, and partners, fostering a positive and productive working atmosphere.
Tech-Savvy: You are proficient in Microsoft 365 and other computer applications, leveraging technology to enhance productivity and streamline processes.
Qualifications – big pluses:
Preference for candidates possessing some background/understanding of U-I collaborations; experience in university or corporate strategy driving change initiatives is highly desirable.
Advanced degree with formal education at some level (BS, Master's) in STEM disciplines.
PMP certification
Familiarity with federal agencies and how they organize and manage their R&D programs.
Grant writing experience and post-award management
Experience with content development for workshops, webinars, and conferences.
Experience with leading a learning management program
WHO WE ARE
UIDP (www.uidp.org) is a global nonprofit membership association that helps great innovation companies and world-class research universities develop new and better collaboration approaches. UIDP is a recognized convener of thought leaders and practitioners, identifying high-impact strategies so companies and universities (along with other interested parties) can improve the return on investment from their partnerships. UIDP’s operating model is predicated on being agile and producing high-quality products that meet the community's needs.
OUR TEAM
As the quality and impact of UIDP’s work continue to gain recognition, our team has experienced rapid growth over the past five years to keep up with the increasing demand. Despite this growth, we maintain the vibrant spirit and energy of a mission-driven start-up. We’re united by a clear, ambitious vision while embracing the inherent ambiguity and urgency of a highly agile organization.
Exciting growth opportunities await! At UIDP, we believe in investing in our staff to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Team members are encouraged to enhance their skill sets through professional development initiatives, and we actively promote from within, offering pathways for those seeking greater responsibilities. Join us and be a part of our dynamic journey!
LOCATION
This position is located in Columbia, SC, USA. UIDP operates under a hybrid work schedule, and staff work 3-4 days/week in the office.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary that reflects the value we place on our team members’ contributions. In addition to financial compensation, we provide a generous benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and work-life balance. This includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you are covered.
We also offer a robust retirement plan to help you plan for your future, along with generous paid time off that encourages you to recharge and enjoy personal time. At UIDP, we are committed to fostering the professional development of our employees by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and mentorship programs that facilitate their professional growth.
* We will review applications as they are submitted but will not begin scheduling interviews until after January 5, 2026.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
Are you a resident of South Carolina, and are you willing to work in our downtown Columbia office 3-4 days per weeks?
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
program mgmt, relevant research, or professional business : 5 years (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbia, SC 29201
