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Program Manager, Fashion Innovation Center

Work type: Full Time

Categories: Staff, Administrative Support, CFHE

Who we are

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎ (https://president.rpi.edu/rpi-forward)

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Job Summary

The Program Manager leads the New York Fashion Innovation Center’s operational and project management activities, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with program objectives. This position coordinates cross-functional teams, manages work plans and budgets, establishes efficient processes, and reports outcomes to stakeholders, including New York State. The Program Manager also collaborates and liaises with constituents across academia, industry, and government.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor's Degree in business administration, management, or a related field

+ Three (3)+ years of related & progressively responsible experience, including project management

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience in fashion, textiles, or related supply chains

+ Experience managing interdisciplinary research or innovation projects

+ Experience working with faculty, students, and industry partners

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Strong project management skills: ability to create work plans, manage budgets, and ensure accountability

+ Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities

+ Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across diverse constituencies including academia, government, and industry

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report preparation and professional correspondence

+ Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools (MS Office, Google Suite, project management software)

+ Analytical skills to track progress, evaluate data, and measure impact

+ Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities

Representative Job Duties

+ Project & Program Management

+ Develop, implement, and manage detailed project plans for all NYFIC initiatives, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and budgets are met

+ Establish and monitor program processes, policies, and standards to ensure efficiency and accountability

+ Identify risks, resolve issues, and adjust plans to keep projects on track

+ Grants & Compliance

+ Oversee grant awardee projects to ensure compliance with state requirements

+ Track NYFIC activities, spending, and metrics; prepare quarterly and annual progress reports for NY State and internal use

+ Track conflicts of interest and their handling

+ Cross-Team Coordination

+ Facilitate communication and collaboration across NYFIC’s consortium partners (RPI, HVTP, FIT, Made X Hudson, SUNY Morrisville, Field to Fiber) to coordinate working groups, integrate team activities, and manage scheduling and conflict resolution

+ Events & Engagement

+ Plan and manage NYFIC events (e.g., annual meeting) to advance program objectives and increase public visibility

+ Coordinate logistics, communications, and follow-up with internal and external stakeholders

+ Operational Oversight

+ Monitor program budgets, reimbursements, and financial compliance in coordination with the Business Administrator

+ Maintain records, participant lists, and tracking systems to ensure program transparency and continuity

+ Talent & Mentorship Support

+ Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and mentoring of staff, students, and grantees

+ Manage student assistants and ensure alignment of their work with program needs

+ Funding & Proposal Development

+ Support faculty and consortium members in drafting and submitting research and funding proposals

+ Communications & Reporting

+ Respond to inquiries, manage internal communications, and maintain administrative correspondence

+ Other duties as assigned

Shift

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Travel

Local travel between campus locations only

Driving

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $70,000 - $80,000 / yr + full benefits

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact [email protected].

Job Posted Date

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu) (https://hr.rpi.edu/benefits) .

Rensselaer is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. RPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.

Advertised: 03 Oct 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close:

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