Project Manager

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Project Manager

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Research

Job Description Summary

Penn Health-Tech (PHT), the University of Pennsylvania’s central hub for health technology innovation, is looking for a Project Manager to join our team and our mission to empower innovators and to advance health care solutions. Since 2017, PHT has served as an engine for translating discoveries into high-impact health technologies, accelerating the path from academic innovation to real-world impact. PHT brings together clinicians, engineers, and researchers across the innovation ecosystem to accelerate the development of transformative healthcare solutions through funding, mentorship, and education.

The successful candidate will join an experienced group of innovation leaders and entrepreneurs to support medical device development and manage a diverse portfolio of projects in our innovation programming from concept to proof of principle to translation and commercialization.

The Project Manager will work closely with faculty, staff, and students from across the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine, and CHOP under the guidance of PHT’s Executive Director and Director of Innovation. This position requires a high degree of resourcefulness to align stakeholders, manage competing priorities, effectively manage resources, and be self-directed. The position is a superb gateway or addition to a career in medical technology innovation in industry, academia, and government. Position is hybrid and duties may grow based on program expansion.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Manage timelines, deliverables, and budget for innovation program portfolio teams (including but not limited to the Health Tech Accelerator and Seed Grant programs) and provide critical resources based on project management best practices and acumen. Engage collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders through all phases of technology and product development (e.g., needs validation, concept generation, prototyping, vendor partnering, testing, design transfer to manufacturing, and commercialization). Prioritize tasks and manage a varied workload
• Provide direct mentorship, guidance, and educational support to innovation program portfolio teams and to innovators across the University using deep expertise in innovation methodologies and technology development best practices
• Coordinate and hold accountable internal and external suppliers and consultants to ensure delivery on scope, materials, and services to meet scheduled lead times and budgets
• Interface effectively across all levels of the organization including executive leadership and regularly communicate the progress and challenges faced by portfolio teams to the PHT organization, ensuring transparency and fostering collaborative problem-solving
• Leverage, expand, and connect our expert network of consultants, experts, advisors, vendors, etc. to the Penn community for proposal evaluation, market research, marketing, regulatory, reimbursement, and other technology commercialization needs
• Establish and cultivate relationships across campus and the regional ecosystem to support PHT programs
• Contribute to presentation, publication, and recognition of our work
• Other duties as assigned (e.g. support innovation events, contribute to new initiatives and center strategies)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Master's Degree in Engineering or Health Sciences is strongly preferred. Medical device industry preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cross-sector expertise across areas such as AI and data science in healthcare, therapeutics, and/or digital health is preferred.
• Project Management Certification or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Skill Requirements

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated success in managing the activities and deliverables of project teams Make decisions independently, based upon engineering/business principles
• Knowledge and experience moving new technologies through the innovation pipeline
• Knowledge of medical device design, innovation, and entrepreneurship principles
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and the application of design controls and development processes
• Exceptional communication – technically and broadly, and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools
• Able to articulate challenges, be creative, and create enthusiasm for new initiatives
• Keen attention to detail; checks work thoroughly and embrace feedback without ego
• Able to exercise sound professional judgment and utmost discretion
• Self-motivated with positive, can-do attitude

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $70,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay