Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager

Job Description

The Program Manager will support the continued growth and development of a multidisciplinary academic center focused on pioneering research in areas such as dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and neutrinos. In this role, you will work closely with leadership, faculty, researchers, and community partners to manage day-to-day operations, coordinate complex initiatives, and help drive strategic priorities that advance the center’s mission and impact. You will play a key role in program leadership, operations, communications, grants support, and event coordination within a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment that fosters scientific innovation and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support the ongoing growth and advancement of the center by helping execute strategic priorities and program initiatives.
• Collaborate with leadership to align program activities with the center’s mission, goals, and long-term vision.
• Track progress across initiatives and provide regular updates and reports to internal stakeholders.
• Oversee scheduling, coordination, and logistics across multiple projects, programs, and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain systems to track program activities, data, and outcomes to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation.
• Build and enhance internal processes and workflows to support efficient and scalable program operations.
• Assist with staffing needs, administrative coordination, and maintenance of overall program infrastructure.
• Create and manage program communications to increase awareness, engagement, and visibility of the center’s work.
• Support the development and maintenance of website and digital content to reflect current initiatives, events, and achievements.
• Coordinate and prepare materials for presentations, events, and stakeholder communications.
• Assist with identifying funding opportunities and supporting the preparation of grant applications.
• Contribute to grant writing, reporting, and evaluation processes to meet funder requirements and demonstrate impact.
• Track program metrics and measure success across initiatives, providing data to inform decision-making.
• Support the development and management of the program’s operating budget, including monitoring expenses and resource allocation.
• Plan and coordinate events, workshops, speaker sessions, and other program activities that promote scientific collaboration.
• Manage logistics for internal and external meetings, including scheduling, room and space coordination, and necessary materials.
• Coordinate collaborations with external partners and stakeholders to strengthen the center’s network and impact.
• Use tools such as Outlook and calendar management systems to organize meetings, events, and program timelines effectively.
• Provide cross-functional collaboration and support across different disciplines and departments involved in the center.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 4 years of experience in program management, operations, or similar roles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven program management experience, including planning, execution, and monitoring of initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong skills in communication and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience with event planning, event coordination, and event management.
• Proficiency in Outlook and calendar management for scheduling and logistics.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in an academic, research, or nonprofit environment.
• Strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, or program development.
• Experience with grant writing, reporting, or funding processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build partnerships across organizations.
• Experience developing and maintaining systems to track program activities, data, and outcomes.
• Experience building and improving internal processes to support efficient operations.
• Familiarity with creating and managing website and digital content.
• Experience coordinating materials for presentations, events, and stakeholder communications.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment with researchers from multiple fields.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite in a research-focused academic building, working closely with faculty, researchers, and staff from multiple disciplines such as physics, astronomy, applied physics, and related fields. The environment is dynamic, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on scientific innovation, workshops, and visiting scientists. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. The setting involves frequent coordination of meetings, events, and seminars, as well as regular use of digital tools for communication, scheduling, and content management.

This is a Contract position based out of New Haven, CT.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in New Haven,CT.

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $40 - $45