Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job Summary
The Senior Ocean Enterprise Program Manager coordinates research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of ocean platforms and sensors, including maritime and aerial systems, research vessels, remote sensing technologies, and fixed or drifting profiling sensors, while also supporting the development and implementation of training for their use. This role assists a diverse team of scientific and engineering managers, researchers, students, pilots, and support staff in executing complex, interdisciplinary projects across the University's coastal and ocean initiatives. The position also supports the management and growth of internal and external partnerships that enhance collaboration and strengthen the university's leadership in the emerging Mississippi Blue Economy.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as a subject matter expert in the development and application of optionally crewed, uncrewed, and crewed platforms and sensors supporting Department of Defense (DoD) joint missions, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) missions, and other state and federal maritime initiatives.
Support recruitment, negotiation, and coordination of collaborations with Blue Economy partners (private, state, local, tribal, federal, academic, and non-profit) to expand and strengthen the Center for Ocean Enterprise.
Supervise the timeliness, quality, and productivity of Scientific and Engineering Managers, Technicians, Researchers, Students, and other research staff; develop work schedules, annual work plans, and project budget requests; oversee purchasing of equipment and commodities; and monitor project expenditures.
Oversee the development, implementation, and management of research projects, including proposal writing, planning, statements of work, budgeting, scheduling, and preparation of reports, manuscripts, and presentations; provide technical and programmatic expertise to the Director of R&D, principal investigators, USM researchers, and external partners.
Assist the Director of R&D in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, facilitating business development and partnerships, supporting expansion of research infrastructure (classified and unclassified), and contributing to technology transfer, commercialization, and workforce training efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.
