POSITION DESCRIPTION. Senior Director of Innovation and Commercialization Location:

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Title: Project Manager Employee: TBD FLSA Status: Exempt Reports to: Senior Director of Innovation and Commercialization Location: Minnesota, arranged with supervisor Avg # travel days per month 4 Purpose: The Project Manager manages, leads and coordinates efforts of team members to plan, execute, and deliver AURI projects and external funding The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive or restrictive. Other duties may be assigned as necessary. Responsibility Job Task Percent of Time Manages the execution and outcomes of projects Manages and leads multidisciplinary teams with a focus on impactful outcomes. Implements AURI project 50% and external funding processes and, as appropriate, aligns to external structures. 1. Proactively manages projects. a) Prepares and manages project plans, budgets, monitors expenditures and staff time. b) Sets achievable objectives. c) Communicates project expectations clearly to team members, partners and clients in an efficient and timely manner. d) Encourages project team members toward project or initiative completion i. Uses AURI values to keep projects on track through consultation, ADD date created & dates updated Page 1 of 5

2 Manages the initiation and development of AURI projects, initiatives and external funding facilitation, resolving conflicts, developing relationships, ensuring inclusivity and cultural sensitivity and using positive win/win negotiations. e) Takes responsibility and makes decisions. f) Provides constructive feedback to team members. 2. Proactively acts on changes in project scope, identifies potential issues and suggests contingency plans. a) Analyzes and defines a problem, evaluates alternatives, finds solutions, and understands how and when to make a decision. b) Identifies and resolves issues and barriers to move projects forward. c) Assesses and persuasively communicates continual adjustments with focus area leaders, team members, AURI and stakeholders. 3. Develops and delivers progress reports, proposals, and required documentation. a) Produces clear status reports, verbally and in writing. b) Adheres to timelines and deadlines. Develops and determines viability of new projects and initiatives in collaboration with focus area and project approval teams. Advances projects through mission fit, project deliverables, resources requirements and ensures impactful outcomes. 1. Identifies milestones and guides timelines. 2. Develops full-scale project plans in collaboration with the Senior Director of Innovation and Commercialization and Project & Technical staff including: a) Scope of work b) Budgets c) Staff time d) Timelines e) Tracks project milestones and deliverables f) Reporting both internally and externally. 3. Considers current and future impact. 4. Recognizes needs of clients and/or partners. 35% ADD date created & dates updated Page 2 of 5

3 Builds, develops and expands relationships vital to the success of AURI activities. 5. Ensures effective and respectful internal and external communication demonstrating AURI values. Builds partnerships and fosters shared outcomes with external collaborators to leverage AURI project and initiative impacts. 1. Recognizes and understands the organizational and external environment and cultural impacts on projects. 2. Works collaboratively with the Communications and Innovative Networks Directors to disseminate outcomes. 3. Collaboratively sets and continually manages expectations with team members and other partners. 4. Acts as a spokesperson for AURI to promote its mission, goals, services and outcomes. a) Promotes lab and facility capabilities. b) Conducts meetings, presentations and participates in exhibiting at events. c) Networks with clients, stakeholders and the general public. Other responsibilities. Performs other duties as assigned. 5% 10% Qualifications 1. Bachelor s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Management, Agribusiness, or a related field and two years of relevant project experience. 2. Demonstrated leadership leading to strong outcomes in complex environments. 3. Work with diverse situations and people. 4. Proven project skills. 5. Knowledge of the agricultural industry. 6. Processing experience preferred. 7. Clear oral and written communication. 8. Excellent interpersonal skills. 9. Computer proficiency. ADD date created & dates updated Page 3 of 5

4 Project Management Competencies Leadership Team building Project skills and techniques Change and negotiation Quality Problem solving and risk Leadership is at the core of team building and being an effective team member, and it is all about building strong relationships. Project is all about having effective leadership skills. It is essential in motivating project team members, defining roles and responsibilities, decision making, taking responsibility, building trust and respect, maintaining a positive outlook, and providing constructive Lead teams through AURI values by understanding how and what information to share; assign/define team roles; and promote, support collaborative and inclusive interactions. Builds strong teams and applies effective project skills and techniques, which leads to project success or failure. Understanding the project and assessing mission fit, what needs to be accomplished, and the impact on internal resources and the need to ensure quality results; employing strategic thinking for organizational and future impact; establishing a clear project scope and work plan; understanding the needs of the client and timelines; and involves proactive planning to anticipate what could go wrong and plan accordingly to mitigate. At times, it requires creative thinking as well. Understand and know how to use standard project tools and techniques to schedule, plan, track and correct project performance; and know when to use leadership strategies. Undertake continual adjustments with leaders, team members and stakeholders in a persuasive manner, and to keep the project on course by using positive win/win negotiations. Effective negotiating/persuasion skills are a leader s tool for managing complicated projects or projects that run into serious issues that need take a new course to be completed. Understand how to obtain and ensure quality results (or products) for total client satisfaction, be able to take corrective actions and effectively perform verification of project standards. Strong leadership skills allows for effective problem solving and risk. Problems will arise requiring solutions, and problems anticipated requiring a plan to mitigate risk. The need for good problem solving and risk skills is needed for effective project. This involves defining the problem, evaluating alternatives, finding a solution(s), understanding how/when to make a choice, managing and implementing solutions and related impacts, being proactive in assessing potential problems and developing contingency plans to mitigate risk. Communications Strong communication skills oral, written, and interpersonal. This impacts the ability to establish and manage relationships (internal and external), and effectively negotiate. Communication is essential in every aspect of project from the client, to the project team, to external partners or collaborators and other influences on the project. ADD date created & dates updated Page 4 of 5

5 Environment and culture Ability to recognize and understand the organizational and external environment and cultural impacts on projects. Understands internal processes and procedures, and the application to project work and considers external, internal and structural influences. Attentiveness Relationship Budget Network and resource identification and Organize one s self and the work for effectiveness and meeting project timelines. This includes organizing project information and data for easy access; managing project documentation (technical and ) and data (or information) requirements; and effectively managing multiple tasks and competing priorities. Ability to consult and provide advice; facilitate discussion and resolve conflict; develop relationships with key project stakeholders; recognize and deal with other cultures; establish trust, credibility and respect, and to be willing to give more than one will receive. Understand and know how to perform cost/benefit analyses; use sound rationale; ensure that all factors are included; maintain focus on project timelines; and consult with team members, clients and in adjusting for unforeseen circumstances. Network and recognize useful resources identified either for the present or potentially in the future and be able to apply them, as needed, is essential. AURI often refers to this as growing its network resources. This also facilitates continual learning and knowledge technical and otherwise. For example, networking may result in a conversation that leads to conducting additional research on a topic that may get shared with project/tech staff and placed in the knowledge bank as a resource. Learning comes in other ways as well. Ultimately, continually gathering new information and staying current on topics (industry and technical) is important for understanding and contributing to projects. Managing the recall of them is important as well. The sharing of the information increases the likelihood that other staff may recall the resource shared as well. ADD date created & dates updated Page 5 of 5