About this role
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Project Manager II provides leadership and coordination for complex research, evaluation, programmatic projects, grants, contracts, or collaborative initiatives. The position manages all phases of the project life cycle, with a particular focus on supporting early career faculty through project planning, scope definition, implementation, monitoring, and dissemination of results. The role supports federally funded and institutional projects by coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing timelines and deliverables, and ensuring compliance with grant and reporting requirements. Project Manager II facilitates communication among stakeholders, synthesizes and presents project findings, and supports the development of reports, presentations, and other dissemination products. The position applies project management best practices to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget while maintaining high-quality standards and meeting sponsor requirements.
Project Planning and Coordination o Review grants, contracts, or project scope documents and develop project plans that define timelines, resources, milestones, stakeholders, and deliverables. o Develop and maintain project schedules to ensure timely completion of tasks and deliverables.o Coordinate project teams and assign responsibilities based on staff expertise and project requirements. o Monitor project progress and adjust timelines or resources as necessary to maintain project goals and objectives. o Track milestones, deliverables, and budget considerations using project management tools and tracking systems. Project Implementation and Management o Manage multiple project tasks simultaneously to ensure activities remain within scope, budget, and timeline. o Organize and lead project meetings, maintain task tracking systems, and coordinate assignments across project team members. o Ensure project deliverables are completed according to contractual or grant requirements and submitted on schedule. o Identify risks, obstacles, or resource needs and communicate these issues to leadership and stakeholders. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication o Foster strong working relationships with clients, funding agencies, project partners, and team members. o Serve as a liaison between project stakeholders and internal teams to ensure clear communication of project goals, progress, and expectations. o Develop methods for communicating project status and provide updates to leadership, partners, and sponsors. Research, Evaluation, and Data Activities o Support the development and implementation of research or evaluation plans, including research questions, methodologies, and data collection approaches. o Coordinate qualitative and quantitative data collection activities such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys. o Contribute to the development of protocols, instruments, and documentation to support project activities and evaluation. Reporting, Dissemination, and Documentation o Develop reports, presentations, and dissemination materials that summarize project activities, research findings, and recommendations. o Prepare project updates and required reports for senior management, funding agencies, or external partners. o Contribute to dissemination of findings through presentations, reports, publications, or other knowledge-sharing products. o Develop and maintain project documentation, operational guides, and best practice resources. Leadership and Team Support o Provide coordination, mentoring, or guidance to project staff, administrative personnel, or research support staff as needed. o Support team capacity through training, documentation, and development of standard operating procedures. o Contribute to the development of project-related policies, procedures, and operational resources.
Minimum
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 4 years of project management experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field and 2 years of project management experience. Some positions may require project management certification. • Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310. Preferred •Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of four years of project management •Development skills in dissemination projects; federal and state reporting; and research, data and evaluation protocol