Director, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Projects

Director

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Projects

Prairie Research Institute

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is seeking a dynamic Director for IDOT Projects to coordinate, organize, and manage the various IDOT programs and projects at the Institute. This position will implement strategic planning and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including colleagues within PRI and IDOT, and act as the primary liaison for critical external relationships. This individual will be responsible for establishing goals and ensuring that staff and resources are directed efficiently toward achieving IDOT project goals and research objectives.

This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois, with competitive compensation and the chance to collaborate with top experts across diverse disciplines.

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, and houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.  PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and services that allow citizens and decision-makers to make informed decisions that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

Highlights of Employee Benefits

As Director of IDOT Projects, you will

• Understand and interpret PRI, university, and state policy guidelines.
• Serve as a liaison with the IDOT.
• Participate, lead, and organize meetings, workshops, and reviews with IDOT and stakeholders.
• Provide project management expertise to develop and implement best practices.
• Serve as a spokesperson to represent the impact and significance of the programs and projects.
• Safeguard industrial, vendor, product, and operational information as well as comply with legal requirements and agreements.
• Analyze and summarize information and trends using reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Identify, schedule, maintain, and coordinate project workflow across multiple groups and programs.
• Interpret both PRI and Program directions and strategies.
• Identify and evaluate risks associated with project implementation and take appropriate action to control the risks.
• Develop programmatic budgets with sponsoring agencies to ensure effort and outcomes are met.
• Provide programmatic oversight and guidance across all IDOT-related programs within PRI.
• Manage and direct interdisciplinary projects, including establishing project goals and timelines, monitoring progress towards milestones, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal project management processes.
• Supervise and mentor staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignments, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, lease/travel approval, as well as conducting annual performance reviews.
• Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program.
• Work with colleagues at all levels, both internally and externally to facilitate the accomplishment of goals and objectives/milestones for the programs and projects.
• Facilitate optimum communication between the project participants and other stakeholders.
• Research, develop, initiate, and implement improvements to tracking, reporting, documenting, and communicating project-related information.
• Work with leaders from the IDOT, PRI, and the University of Illinois campus to brainstorm, develop, plan, and execute future program initiatives.
• Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
• Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business or a related scientific field (Biology, Ecology, Geology). Alternate degree fields may be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in project management/program management in a complex work environment.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Certification.
• Demonstrated project and personnel management techniques.
• Demonstrated presentation, interpersonal communication, and documentation skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organization, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position. The budgeted salary range for this position ranges from $100,000 to $150,000.  We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.  The start date is negotiable. This position is not considered a tenure-track faculty position.