What are the responsibilities and job description for the Distinguished Program Manager Operations Office Lead position at University of Dayton?
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: Materials PM/Admin Office - 250501
Pay Grade: P5/P6 - Exempt
Advertised: November 07, 2025
Applications close: November 13, 2025
Are you looking for an exciting career opportunity where you can make a direct impact on cutting-edge research and innovation? The University of Dayton Research Institute is seeking a dynamic and experienced Distinguished Program Manager Operations Office Lead to join our Material Sector.
UDRI is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry, and nonprofit customers. UDRI contributes to the fulfillment of the University's commitments to education, research, and public service through the involvement of students, faculty and external partners. Established as the research arm of the University of Dayton in 1956, sponsored research for FY25 alone exceeded $280 million. UDRI is ranked first in the nation among all colleges and universities for sponsored materials research, according to the National Science Foundation. In Ohio, UDRI is number one among colleges and universities receiving contracts and grants from the Department of Defense.
The Institute has a tradition of research excellence with an uncompromising commitment to providing customers with quality products while maintaining the highest ethical standards. It is keenly aware that compliance with applicable laws and regulations is an essential condition for performing its business. Its commitment to compliance is based on providing a supportive environment, the integrity of its employees, and their support of the University's policies and applicable laws and regulations of the United States.
This position provides the PM and Business Operations support for all contracts and projects within the Materials Sector. This person will interact with leadership, customers and PIs, and lead a team of PMs, division administrative staff, and financial analysts to support sponsored programs and projects developing and transitioning advanced materials and processes for USAF needs. This person’s responsibilities will include: Material Sector portfolio performance monitoring and analysis, leadership of sector business and administrative processes, collaboration with stakeholders, proposal development, process improvement and development, project management, Risk analysis, resource management, subcontract management, and mentoring staff on PM methodologies. This person will interact with UDRI senior leadership, technical experts from AFRL, industry/OEMs, and subcontractors to accomplish the goals of the Materials Portfolio.
Position requires occasional travel for on-site evaluation, demonstrations, manufacturing process reviews, and programmatic meetings.
- Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of fifteen years of experience OR a master’s degree plus a minimum of fourteen years of experience is required.
- Credentialed as a Certified Project Manager through the Program Management Institute (PMP).
- Proficient in reading, understanding, and ensuring compliance with DOD security protocols, standards and specifications, technical orders, and procedures used for aircraft maintenance.
- 7 to 10 years of diverse roles and increasing leadership responsibilities across major projects and program.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel) and MS Project.
- Proficient written communication skills.
- Valid drivers license with low risk driving record.
- Active US Security Clearance.
- Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.
- Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of twenty years of directly related experience OR a master’s degree plus a minimum of nineteen years of directly related experience; or a doctoral degree plus seventeen years of directly related experience.
While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:
- MBA.
- 15 years technical program management experience.
- Credentialed as a Certified Project Manager through the Program Management Institute or Defense Acquisition University.
- Experience working within USAF or other DoD active program office(s) in either a government or prime contractor role.
- Working knowledge of US Government proposal, acquisition, and contracting processes.
- Management experience with multi-year, multi-million $ programs.
- Effective interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated successful collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to promote inclusive excellence in the workplace.
To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.
Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.