Project Manager - NCTI

About this role

National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI):

The National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI) is a national initiative dedicated to helping innovative technology companies transform breakthrough ideas into commercial success. Supported through a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative and led by the University of Central Florida, NCTI serves as a national hub connecting entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, government partners, and commercialization experts to accelerate innovation, business growth, and economic impact. NCTI is designed to help promising deep-technology companies navigate the journey from scientific discovery and technological advancement to sustainable market success.

As a new institute, NCTI offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology commercialization on a national scale. Through strategic partnerships, individualized commercialization support, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem, the institute is advancing solutions that help high-potential companies overcome commercialization barriers and bring transformative technologies to market. NCTI combines the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a startup with the resources and credibility of a leading research university, creating an environment where innovation, partnership, and impact drive meaningful results.

To learn more about NCTI, visit our website.

The Opportunity:

Join the founding team of the National Commercialization and Translation Institute, a national pilot funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The Project Manager will coordinate project plans, timelines, reporting activities, governance processes, compliance requirements, and stakeholder engagement efforts that support the successful delivery of institute objectives. Working closely with institute leadership, university partners, and external stakeholders, this role will help establish and maintain the operational infrastructure necessary to launch and sustain a first-of-its-kind national program.

Successful candidates will bring demonstrated experience managing complex projects in federally funded, research, higher education, government, or similarly regulated environments. Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities are essential. Experience with NSF-funded projects is particularly valuable, although experience supporting NIH or other federal agency awards is also highly relevant. This position presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a national pilot initiative whose findings may influence future NSF commercialization efforts and innovation programs nationwide.

• This is a Contracts & Grants (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted. This position is approved for the first 18 months of the 24-month grant period.
• Classification Title: Administrative Project Manager III

Responsibilities:

• Administer the national competition (S1 to S3): support design and deployment of the solicitation and published review criteria; manage the application period, applicant communications, and intake; screen applications administratively; and run Selection Board logistics, including scheduling, materials, scoring-record capture, structured finalist interviews, and NDA/conflict-of-interest documentation. The Project Manager administers these processes; substantive input to the review rubric and criteria, and leadership of cohort onboarding and entry orientation, rest with the Commercialization Director.
• Perform operational data collection supporting the research and evaluation program (M3): administer founder and stakeholder surveys on the fixed cadence; maintain participation, expenditure, and milestone records; capture operational records feeding the national longitudinal registry; provide organized, auditable data to the external evaluator (RTI International); and support the evaluator’s data collection, including implementation-fidelity documentation, records assembly for case narratives, and scheduling and logistics for RTI’s structured interviews — while evaluation design and interpretation remain with RTI.
• Prepare and coordinate reporting: assemble inputs for NSF annual reports and learning sessions; maintain institute dashboards and records for the PI/PD, Executive Director, and Strategic Board; track deliverables and metrics against the project’s Table 1 targets and Table 3 activities.
• Maintain compliance documentation: participant-support cost records and milestone-verification files for the commercialization-support review committee; NSF prior-approval tracking (including any rebudgeting of unexpended participant support); records retention consistent with the project’s Data Management and Sharing Plan; and institute policy and procedure documentation.
• Coordinate meetings and governance operations (M1): schedule and support the commercialization-support review committee’s milestone checkpoints, the monthly operations group, quarterly Strategic Board meetings, and Partner Council convenings; prepare agendas, materials, and minutes with clerical support.
• Manage the integrated project schedule across all objectives: maintain the master milestone calendar (90-day, 6-month, and 12-month company checkpoints; program-level milestones); track action items and dependencies; and flag schedule risks to the Executive Director.
• Coordinate travel and event logistics: cohort site visits, Selection Board convenings, entry orientation, the in-person midpoint convening, the annual investor showcase, and cohort convenings, in accordance with UCF travel policy.
• Maintain documentation of the intervention protocol and operating model (selection rubric administration records, triage and ICP process records, governance documentation) supporting the transferable playbook deliverable and all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing or coordinating projects funded by the NSF, NIH, or another federal agency.
• Experience coordinating grant deliverables, sponsor reporting, compliance requirements, project documentation, or performance milestones.
• Project management experience within higher education, a research institution, government, or another grant-funded environment.
• PMP certification or another recognized project management credential.
• Experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines, organize detailed information, and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Experience supporting governance processes, review committees, competitive funding programs, or milestone-based awards.
• Exceptional organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Sound judgment and the ability to identify risks, resolve operational challenges, and escalate issues appropriately.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

• The anticipated starting salary for this position is $95,000 annually. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.
• Occasional domestic travel is required (board convenings, showcase, cohort site visits).
• The selected candidate must comply with NCTI conflict-of-interest and nondisclosure protocols, including disclosure of any financial interest in applicant or cohort companies, given the position’s role in approving participant funding.
• All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‐1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.