AERC Sr. Project Manager

The Applied Environmental Research Center (AERC) at the University of Alaska Anchorage is seeking a full-time, Senior Project Manager to lead a $500,000 annual wetland and coastal dune restoration project at Bellows Air Force Station (BAFS), Hawaii. The successful candidate should bring a solid background of working with the department of Defense/War. This position will work closely with AERC leadership and the Principal Investigator to manage project execution, support proposal development, and help expand UAA's externally funded research portfolio. Since 2014, AERC has led innovative environmental research and restoration projects across Alaska, Hawaii, the continental United States, and the Pacific region. Qualified candidates with a passion for environmental restoration and project leadership are encouraged to apply.

As the AERC Senior Project Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the successful execution of the Center's externally funded research and technical projects. Working closely with the AERC Director and Principal Investigators, you will oversee all phases of project implementation—from planning and resource coordination through execution, reporting, and closeout—ensuring projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and in compliance with sponsor requirements, University policies, and applicable regulatory and safety standards.

This position serves as the Center's primary operational leader for assigned research projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, subcontractors, collaborators, and external partners while providing day-to-day supervision, technical guidance, and professional development to research personnel. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing project operations, monitoring performance, coordinating logistics and resources, maintaining project documentation, and supporting budget administration to ensure efficient and effective project delivery.

In addition to project execution, the Senior Project Manager plays a key role in advancing the Center's long-term research mission by supporting strategic planning, sponsor engagement, proposal development, communications, and continuous process improvement. This position advises the AERC Director on operational and communications initiatives, develops standardized project management practices, fosters collaborative partnerships, and contributes to the growth of the Center's research portfolio through exceptional leadership, organizational effectiveness, and technical expertise.

To thrive in this role, the successful candidate will be an experienced, collaborative, and adaptable project management professional with a demonstrated ability to lead complex, externally funded research and technical projects from planning through completion. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities, solve complex operational challenges, and consistently deliver high-quality results while ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements, University policies, and applicable regulatory standards.

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience leading multidisciplinary teams, coordinating project schedules, budgets, logistics, personnel, and technical resources, and building productive relationships with faculty, researchers, sponsors, government agencies, Tribal organizations, industry partners, subcontractors, and other stakeholders. The candidate will be an effective communicator who can translate complex technical information for both technical and non-technical audiences and will possess the judgment and initiative to independently manage day-to-day project operations while maintaining regular communication with the AERC Director and leadership team located in Alaska.

A strong background in project management, research administration, data analysis, proposal development, sponsor reporting, and continuous process improvement is essential. Experience managing large-scale, multi-year research or technical projects, particularly those supporting the U.S. Department of Defense/War or other federal agencies, is highly desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, and a commitment to operational excellence while contributing to the continued growth and success of the Center's research portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree and two years research experience at the postgraduate level in a field relevant to the research (e.g. Project Management, Biological Sciences, Engineering), or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

An unrestricted Alaska driver’s license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving criteria is required. 

Position Details:

This is an on-site position located on Bellows Airforce Station, Oahu, Hawaii. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on August 18, 2026 Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position’s duties, operational needs, and the employee’s ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

This position is located on Oahu, Hawaii; relocation assistance may be provided. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kelsie Kingston at kakingston.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

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The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.