Program Manager, Development & Innovation

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Summary:

The Program Manager for Development and Innovation supports the university’s research enterprise by leading funding opportunity identification, faculty engagement, and innovation-support activities for the Office of Research and Sponsored Awards (ORSA). Under the VPRI’s direction, the position is responsible for proactively scanning federal and state agencies, foundations, and philanthropic organizations to identify emerging funding opportunities aligned with institutional research priorities. The Program Manager monitors sponsor trends and funding landscapes; curates targeted opportunities for faculty, research units, and other entities as assigned; maintains internal tracking systems; and coordinates the institution’s limited submission announcement process for competitive external funding.

Working closely with center directors, department leadership, and pre-award offices, as well as other entities as assigned, the Program Manager for Development and Innovation aligns research/program interests with suitable funding opportunities. Through intake consultations, opportunity matching, and improved communication across research and administrative units, the Program Manager supports entity preparedness and enhances proposal competitiveness across the university.

The role also contributes to the university’s innovation and technology transfer activities by partnering with technology transfer teams to identify opportunities for industry collaboration, commercialization potential, and innovation-focused programming. The Program Manager assists with workshops, pitch sessions, and partnership development activities; supports the evaluation of invention disclosures, emerging technologies, and social innovation; and contributes to responsibilities related to intellectual property, data infrastructure, and research security. The Program Manager will identify and engage with relevant parties across campus related to development and innovation, including but not limited to data infrastructure and security, tech transfer, translation of research, and other VRPI initiatives.

Overall, the Program Manager for Development and Innovation serves as a connector, advisor, and executor, supporting funding opportunity management, research/program development, and innovation activities to help build a dynamic, engaged, and supportive research environment.

Essential Functions:

1.) Funding Strategy & Opportunity Management

• Conduct proactive scanning of federal agencies, foundations, and philanthropic organizations to identify emerging funding opportunities aligned with university research priorities.
• Monitor sponsor priorities, funding trends, and policy changes to inform strategic planning.
• Curate and distribute targeted funding opportunities to centers, departments, and faculty.
• Maintain and update internal tracking tools and databases; monitor deadlines, eligibility, and submission workflows.
• Partner with center directors, department leadership, and pre-award offices, as well as other entities as assigned, to align research/program interests with suitable funding opportunities.
• Conduct intake discussions with principal investigators (current and interested) to understand research needs and identify competitive funding pathways.

2.) Intellectual Property

• Assist in assessment of new technologies, invention disclosures, and potential commercialization strategies.
• Manage intellectual property protection including patents and trademarks, including initial filing and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with Bayh-Dole Act.
• Engage on-campus resources for intellectual property protection.
• Work closely with Director of Research Compliance and Integrity and the Office of General Counsel.
• Educate principal investigators (current and interested) and units on opportunities related to intellectual property.

3.) Innovation Partnerships & Technology Transfer Support

• Collaborate with technology transfer teams to identify opportunities for industry partnerships, commercialization, and innovation programming.
• Support innovation-related initiatives such as workshops, pitch sessions, and partnership development activities.
• Engage on-campus resources for entrepreneurship and technology transfer.
• Ensure compliance with Bayh-Dole Act.

4.) TRAC Management Portfolio

• Serve as the ORSA liaison to TRAC.
• Work with assessment team on development of AU capacity plan for technology transfer, intellectual property, and research translation support.
• Participate in regular TRAC meetings.
• Produce regular reports and updates to TRAC and ORSA.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration between TRAC, ORSA, and other entities across campus.

5.) Data Infrastructure & Security

• Coordinate data security and infrastructure plan development across campus.
• Identify relevant personnel and efforts across campus.
• Manage external partners in plan development and implementation.
• Produce data infrastructure and security enhancement report for VPRI and ensure the report is current.

Competencies:

• Developing Plans.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Displaying Creativity.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.

Salary Range:

• $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in related field.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.