Industry Program Manager

Description

The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.

The NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas (Carolinas Grid Modernization Engine) is a two-state initiative focused on the development of an NSF Regional Innovation Engine ecosystem to advance grid technology innovation and adoption.

Position Summary:

The Program Manager will organize, coordinate, and track SCRA's activities within the Carolinas Grid Modernization Engine, serving as a key liaison among SCRA, UNC Charlotte, Engine partners, industry stakeholders, entrepreneurs, investors, and state organizations.

This position is responsible for developing and implementing processes, managing projects and timelines, tracking milestones and performance metrics, coordinating reporting requirements, and planning and executing Engine activities to support successful completion of objectives and deliverables. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, project management, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, maintain confidentiality, and consistently meet deadlines.

Essential Functions:

• Support the Engine Translation Manager and Director of Cross-Sector Partnerships in planning, coordinating, and executing NSF Engine activities, including partner meetings, working groups, stakeholder engagements, technology demonstrations, investor events, site visits, and special initiatives involving Engine partners.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project management processes, work plans, schedules, task trackers, reporting tools, and governance frameworks to ensure effective execution of SCRA responsibilities under the Engine.
• Track, coordinate, and monitor SCRA commitments, deliverables, milestones, performance metrics, and strategic objectives, ensuring deadlines are met and program activities remain aligned with Engine goals.
• Update and maintain the Engine CRM and official records to track stakeholder engagement, partnership agreements, grant and investment activities, translation and commercialization activities, entrepreneurial program participation, program outcomes, and other documentation necessary to support reporting, compliance, and program management.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among Engine partners, project leadership, SCRA Member Companies, and external stakeholders; support outreach activities through Website updates, newsletters, Press Releases, social media, and other communication channels.
• Serve as the primary administrator for SCRA to collect, validate, analyze, and report program data, outcomes, and performance measures to UNC Charlotte and RTI; prepare dashboards, status reports, executive summaries, and briefing materials for project leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify program risks, challenges, and dependencies; develop mitigation strategies and recommend corrective actions to support successful program execution and achievement of desired outcomes.
• Support preparation for NSF reviews, site visits, stakeholder briefings, audits, and other program oversight activities; ensure compliance with NSF requirements, Engine governance processes, and SCRA policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, engineering, technology management, economic development, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in program management, project management, innovation ecosystem development, economic development, entrepreneurship support, research administration, or related fields.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives to deliver objectives involving academic, industry, government, and/or nonprofit partners.
• Experience developing reports, tracking metrics, and managing program performance measurement systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, CRM platforms, and reporting tools.
• All duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federally funded programs, including NSF, EDA, DOE, NIH, or other government-sponsored initiatives.
• Familiarity with technology commercialization, startup development, venture capital, investment ecosystems, and innovation-driven economic development.
• PMP, CAPM, Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), or related professional certification.