PARI-GDI Senior Manager, Technology and Innovation

The Purdue Applied Research Institute, Global Development and Innovation Division (PARI-GDI) is a start-up, non-profit organization wholly owned by Purdue University. PARI-GDI seeks a Senior Manager for the Technology and Innovation Practice Area, focusing on global development funding with a focus on lower and middle-income countries. The Technology and Innovation Practice area aligns existing or emerging market demands in global development and humanitarian programming to leverage Purdue University’s strengths and expertise (e.g., cybersecurity, innovation ecosystem development, digital strategy implementation and workforce development, entrepreneurship, or climate change). Successful candidates will have demonstrated technical expertise in designing, winning, and implementing donor-funded programming by such entities as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, and/or other bi- and multi-lateral funding organizations. Working with the PARI-GDI Executive Director, Director of Practice and operations team, the Senior Manager will establish and grow relationships with funders, corporations, clients, implementing partners and technical experts; make significant contributions to new business development, particularly in technical strategy and writing; oversee business capture; provide technical oversight and implementation of program delivery that ensures impact; supervise and manage technical teams and staff; and, oversee programmatic progress towards organizational and funder success indicators. A critical element of the role Senior Manager is to maximize and leverage Purdue faculty, student and staff talent in the fulfillment of these job responsibilities, particularly in the implementation of projects. 

The position reports to the PARI-GDI Director of Practice for Technology and Innovation. Key general expectations is demonstrated technical knowledge, a willingness to help grow the practice area, demonstrate open communication skills, team orientation, ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and commitment to gender, diversity, equity. Collaboration with other practice areas, faculty, students and staff are expected. Position is remote. 

• Working closely with the Business Development team, managing and supporting business development cycles including capture and proposal writing, and co-design by providing technical inputs and expertise
• Contribute dedicated time and technical expertise to other workstreams and functions to achieve business development goals, including engaging with Purdue University experts to inform research pursuits, and identifying new business, operations, and technical practice contributions that PARI can provide to expand opportunities for Purdue University experts
• Support new business efforts, by offering technical expertise to lead the development and capture; serve in line roles of increasing complexity and leadership (e.g., proposal coordinator, expatriate/local recruiter, personnel/management/organizational capacity section writer, subs liaison, cost preparer, and technical writer)
• Regularly meets with Purdue University experts in order to understand and adequately represent the University’s capabilities and strengths.  
• Identifies Purdue University strengths and areas for potential engagement or expansion and aligns them with the needs of funders and clients.
• Promotes PARI by attending external events, networking with clients and counterparts; articulating a solid understanding of PARI’s past and present portfolio with an emphasis on Technology and Innovation programming; demonstrating a solid understanding of Purdue University faculty and research expertise in the space; effectively representing PARI’s history, values, and standards; and identifying and developing new business leads that achieve PARI’s goals.

• Manage day-to-day support to one or more teams, clients and Purdue experts, including communicating and assisting with project-office requests and overseeing adherence to project requirements, government regulations and PARI-GDI policies
• Provide technical expertise and oversight to manage operational start-up efforts for projects, including supporting resourcing, convening technical team and partners, organizing scoping efforts and coordinating responses to scopes of work with fleshed out work plans and budgets as well as overseeing handover to other team members within GDI (i.e. Awards Administration, Project Management Unit, Finance, etc.)
• Develop, disseminate standardized tools, templates and processes to support the technical delivery of work by PARI and Purdue University experts, to enhance efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality of project management
• Working with PARI’s financial and Project Management Unit, oversee financial aspects of the project’s agreement terms by reviewing monthly invoices for accuracy and compliance; responsible for tracking expenditures against budget and total obligated funds, coordinating development and monitoring of annual corporate budget and regular forecasting of expenditures for PARI-GDI and clients
• Responsible for reviewing and determining causes of variances in expenditures against forecasts and budgets and ensuring client is informed as appropriate
• Responsible for identifying, tracking and reporting project successes, failures (and solutions to mitigate or overcome them) and requirements to achieve all stakeholder’s expectations including funders, Purdue experts and local partner’s needs
• Identifies issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and compliance, and supports plans and strategies to address those risks, communicating, when appropriate, with the Director of Practice and/or Executive Director; appropriately consults with other team members and project-office matters to help make informed decisions
• Liaises with Purdue experts, project subaward partners, manages subaward issues, budgets, and invoice reviews, and reviews deliverables in coordination with project team to ensure they meet technical and quality standards. Supports recruitment of long- and short-term project personnel in accordance with PARI policy
• Conducts periodic project office visits to monitor and support project operations and implementation, including conducting training, conducting or responding to audits, providing input to work planning, conducting technical research, and performing other relevant tasks. Reviews and provides technical inputs, comments, and revisions on project technical work and project reports
• Facilitate pause and reflect sessions to test actions that continually improve processes and efficiencies of the team or practice area
• Ensure feedback is provided to Purdue University experts and stakeholders (ex. PARI CEO, Purdue’s Executive Vice President for Research, Deans and Department Heads)
• Actively engages in technical practice of relevance to areas of interest or focus, sharing information and best practices learned, including connecting the practice and project in support of enhanced project performance and technical leadership goals of the practice area
• Contributes to PARI-GDI strategy development, annual budget formulation, and growth of team
   

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience; degree in international development or similar field preferred.
• At least 7-10 years of professional work experience, directing donor-funded projects and working on business development initiatives.
• 4 years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of bi- and multi-lateral foreign assistance organizations (USAID and US Department of State preferred)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including delivering formal and informal presentations.
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred.
• Ability to travel and work overseas on short-term technical assignments up to 25%, at times with very short notice.
• Demonstrable background in managing multiple projects/programs.
• Demonstrated critical project management skills, including budget management, contractual and procurement compliance, client relations and knowledge of client, and personnel management.
• Demonstrated experience working on one or more projects while simultaneously providing support to proposals.
• Demonstrated experience providing regional financial and/or compliance support on a project management team.
• Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction on work progress, and making significant contribution to end results.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem-solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and word processing abilities.
   

As a wholly owned-subsidiary of Purdue University, PARI-GDI is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. PARI-GDI staff currently work remotely in West Lafayette, Northwest Indiana and Washington D.C. The Director of Practice position is a full-time position that will require intimate familiarity and close working relationships with Purdue University students, faculty and staff. Although location of work can be conducted remotely in client focused locations (i.e. Washington D.C.) it is preferred that staff are located or able to spend significant time in West Lafayette, IN.

• Purdue’s benefits summary
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately  
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply
   

The Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) is a new and significant driving force for the University to share its innovative research capabilities.  As the non-profit applied research arm of Purdue University, PARI aims to deliver innovative solutions for Purdue’s partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors.  PARI will manage sponsored research expenditures that fall into three divisions: National Security and Technology, Global Development and Innovation (GDI), and Technology Innovation, including the Digital Innovation in Agri-Food Systems Laboratory (DIAL).  Through PARI-GDI, experts in applied and translational research will play a greater role in the development and deployment of technologies that are critical to overcoming global challenges.  With a research portfolio of more than $694M in expenditures, Purdue University was ranked third among U.S. universities in USAID obligated funds in FY 2019. In 2020 Purdue was ranked the fifth most innovative university in the United States and home to the largest university-affiliated incubation park in the U.S.  PARI-GDI will build on Purdue’s legacy working on international development challenges.
 

At PARI we create leading-edge solutions for complex problems in national security, global development, and technology. Established in 2021 by The Trustees of Purdue University, the Purdue Applied Research Institute is the non-profit applied research arm of Purdue University. PARI co-creates solutions and builds on the deep research strengths of Purdue’s faculty, students, and staff to solve dynamic challenges for the United States Government, industry and non-profits. PARI partners to advance applied, interdisciplinary, and translational research in three divisions: National Security and Defense, Global Development and Innovation, and Technology Acceleration, including Digital Innovation in Agri-food Systems Lab (DIAL).

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked one of the top 10 Most Innovative Schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, With a $685+ million research enterprise, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery that drive discoveries and innovative solutions that have a critical impact on the nation and the world.