The Project Manager I is responsible for the overall management of a project, grant, or contract. The Project Manager I is responsible for assembling the project team, assigning responsibilities, and managing schedules and resources to ensure timely completion of assigned projects. The position ensures that the institution meets the requirements of the project(s) including all operational requisites, reporting obligations, and related deliverables.
Nature of Work: The Project Manager I is primarily responsible for the planning, organizing, and managing of resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. Typically, this position must adhere to definite timelines, reporting requirements, and meet deadlines for specific deliverables. This position may act as a principal project consultant to other agencies or subcontractors and may write reports for senior management and/or funding agencies. The position works with funding agencies and service providers to design the research, define project scope, and disseminate results. While the Project Manager I may or may not be the direct supervisor of the staff assigned to a project, the Project Manager I is responsible for the effective management and direction of those staff when their time is allocated to a project under the Project Manager’s supervision. Work at this level meets the FLSA criteria for a professional exemption since the primary duties are work that requires advanced knowledge which is predominantly intellectual in character and requires the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment. They differ from non-exempt staff by interpreting project documents in order to develop project procedures, oversee and update management on the status of project resources, establish quality control standards, composing and directing project related policies and operations, and acting as primary/lead liaison with regulatory agencies and project stakeholders.
- Reviews and develops project plan which defines resources, timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables.
- Develops the project schedule and plan to ensure timely completion of the project.
- Obtains management and client agreement with the project plan and timeline, and advice of any obstacles or resource needs that may affect completion of the project as planned.
- Assembles the project team of engineers, technicians, designers, and other relevant staff to ensure satisfactory delivery of assigned projects. Identify staff competencies, and assign resources to project tasks appropriate to each individual’s knowledge, skill, and abilities.
- Defines and disseminates methods for communication of project status.
- Communicates project goals, monitors project progress, and adjusts resources as necessary to keep the project on track. Track progress toward milestones, budgetary guidelines, or other performance indicators, and prepare reports for senior management.
- Applies project management tools and tracking systems to manage all aspects of project progress.
- Develops operational policies, resource documents, and training documents- including the documentation of best standards and practices.
- Analyzes client needs, determines and evaluates potential solutions, develops project specifications and requirements, and defines operations/tools/trainings to meet the requirements.
- Design integrated solutions which may include tools, trainings, reports, as well as requirements for project queries, applications, databases, data capture forms, online web pages, and related systems.
- Structures, implements, and maintains defined operational standards.
- Establishes policies, standards and procedures to ensure useful and readily accessible project status.
- May oversee or supervise temporary staff, Administrative Staff, or Research Support Specialists.
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2 years of project management or coordination 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.
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 :
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.
