Job Details

Project Manager II

Position Number: 6336075
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Project Manager II

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Our Mechanical Engineering Department has a long tradition of offering a superb engineering education within an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Small classes, partnerships with industry and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities provide students an excellent learning environment.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Mechanical Engineering Department at SMU's Lyle School of Engineering is seeking a dedicated and organized Project Manager. This pivotal role involves managing research projects and fostering collaboration between university faculty, industry partners, and other stakeholders. The Project Manager will oversee project timelines, manage financial records, and ensure compliance with university policies and funding agency regulations.

Essential Functions:

Project Management - Serve as the lead project manager responsible for driving collaboration among university faculty, industry stakeholders, and multidisciplinary research teams during the life of the project. Oversee and actively manage all aspects of project execution (timelines, gathering data, engaging with stake holders) across multiple concurrent research initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment of objectives, and timely decision-making.
Financial Management and Budget Oversight - Track project budgets, monitor expenditures, ensure financial compliance with university and funding agency requirements, and prepare financial summaries for reporting.
Compliance Monitoring and Regulatory Oversight - Ensure research activities and financial management adhere to university policies, sponsor regulations, and ethical standards; address any compliance issues proactively.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication - Facilitate meetings, workshops, and presentations with internal and external stakeholders to promote project progress, foster collaboration, and disseminate research outcomes.
Administrative Support to Research Teams - Support faculty and research teams by scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, managing project-related correspondence, and assisting with grant administration needs.
Travel to field site and coordinate field efforts.
Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required, depending on field work schedule.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred. A degree in project management, accounting, business or engineering is preferred.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Experience in project management within an academic, research, or engineering environment, financial management, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting is preferred. Experience in the energy, oil, and gas sector or related engineering fields is also preferred. Field work and hands-on experience is highly preferred.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or an equivalent is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate knowledge of the oil and gas industry or energy sector, including familiarity with industry terminology and research applications is essential.

Candidate familiarity with compliance and regulatory requirements related to university or sponsored research funding is required.

Candidate must be able to provide administrative support to research teams or professional groups.

Candidate must possess strong leadership and decision-making abilities, with demonstrated experience managing complex programs involving multiple stakeholders, concurrent timelines, and deliverables.

Candidate must have excellent strategic planning skills, including the ability to develop and manage budgets, allocate resources efficiently, and evaluate.

Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Candidate knowledge of project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana, or equivalent tools) is essential.

Candidate familiarity with financial management software (e.g., PeopleSoft, Workday, or similar university financial systems) is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Stand
Kneel
Push/pull
Exposure to excessive noise
Around moving machinery
Exposure to marked changes in temperature/or humidity

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by August 30, 2025.

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Other

Organization: School of Engineering

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Job Posting: Jul 1, 2025, 2:03:14 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=SCH00000213&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC