Assistant Director of Projects - Internal Only

This position is open to internal candidates only. External candidates will not be reviewed or considered.

Salary/Position Classification

• $110,000+ annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Assistant Director of Projects provides strategic and operational leadership for the planning, development, and management of organizational programs that advance the Northern Plains UAS Test Site’s (NPUASTS) mission to enable the safe and scalable integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. This position ensures that all programs and initiatives are aligned with institutional priorities, funding requirements, and stakeholder expectations.

As a member of the leadership team, the Assistant Director of Projects provides direct input and strategic guidance to executive leadership on organizational priorities, program performance, and cross-divisional coordination. The role applies proficient ability in program design, project management, and financial planning to lead multiple teams, ensuring that initiatives deliver measurable results in compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.

The Assistant Director of Projects exercises substantial autonomy in decision-making, establishes program management frameworks and standards, and represents NPUASTS in strategic partnerships. This position ensures that programs are not only executed effectively but are strategically aligned to sustain growth, drive innovation, and achieve long-term organizational objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Program Portfolio Oversight 
  • Provide strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for NPUASTS programs, ensuring alignment with executive direction, organizational mission, and performance outcomes.
  • Develop and implement program strategies and performance frameworks consistent with executive-level objectives and statewide UAS integration priorities. 
  • Provide direct input and strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding program performance, emerging opportunities, and alignment with organizational strategy.
  • Oversee a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives, ensuring integration across divisions and consistency with funding and compliance requirements.
  • Approve program concepts, objectives, and metrics for organizational impact and resource efficiency.
  • Evaluate program results, identify strategic trends, and guide executive decision-making based on data-driven insights.
  • Represent the Programs Directorate in leadership team meetings, ensuring alignment of priorities across operational, safety, and business development areas.
  • Recommend policy or procedural changes to improve program effectiveness and sustainability. 
• People Leadership and Organizational Development
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams to ensure effective delivery of NPUASTS programmatic goals and alignment with institutional and state-level priorities.
  • Supervise program and project managers, establishing clear goals, expectations, and professional development plans. 
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations for staff; make recommendations on employment, promotion, and rewards decisions.
  • Build organizational capacity through training, mentoring, and process standardization.
  • Promote a collaborative and high-trust environment that emphasizes accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead division-level staff meetings to communicate executive priorities and ensure alignment across teams.
  • Collaborate with peer directors (Safety & Operations, Business, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, etc) to synchronize enterprise-wide initiatives. 
• Program Execution, Financial Management, and Compliance
  • Oversee and approve the execution of all programs to ensure financial accountability, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery of outcomes.
  • Develop and approve program budgets; monitor expenditures and financial performance.
  • Review and approve major funding proposals, contracts, and programmatic agreements.
  • Ensure adherence to state, federal, and university policies and funding agency requirements.
  • Direct program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts to ensure measurable impact and efficiency.
  • Approve timelines, deliverables, and performance reports to executive leadership and funding entities.
  • Coordinate with the Director of Safety & Operations to ensure safety and regulatory compliance across all program activities. 
  • Lead periodic reviews of program results and implement improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Stakeholder and Partner Engagement 
  • Strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders and represent NPUASTS at the state, federal, and industry levels to advance strategic initiatives and funding opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with FAA representatives, state agencies, legislators, and industry partners.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to secure program funding and advocate for North Dakota’s leadership in UAS integration.
  • Represent NPUASTS programs in meetings, panels, and public forums to communicate impact and future direction. 
  • Negotiate and oversee partnership agreements and cooperative frameworks that enhance resource alignment and impact. 
  • Communicate program outcomes, risks, and emerging opportunities directly to executive leadership and stakeholders. - 
• As a UND employee, it is expected to treat one another and the public in a cordial, civil, and respectful manner and at all times, practice the principles of honesty, respect, integrity, and trust in order to respect the diversity of all peoples; communicate in a professional, positive and respectful manner; and exhibit ethical behavior. 

Required Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to shape organizational direction through informed strategic guidance to executive leadership.
• Executive Communication: Demonstrated capacity to distill complex programmatic data into actionable executive insights.
  Program Governance: Deep understanding of program management methodologies, compliance structures, and performance evaluation.
• Fiscal Stewardship: Expertise in financial planning, budget development, and multi-source funding management.
• Innovation and Problem Solving: Ability to integrate creative, compliant solutions into program design and implementation.
• Collaboration and Influence: Skilled at building and sustaining partnerships with government, industry, and academic stakeholders.
• People Management: Demonstrated ability to coach, evaluate, and develop staff; align teams around shared organizational goals.
• Adaptability: Capacity to navigate complex and changing policy, funding, and regulatory environments while maintaining alignment with strategic goals.
• Proven ability to advise and collaborate directly with executive leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, aviation management, engineering, public administration, or related field.
• 6 years of progressive experience in program or project management, with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• 4 years of management experience supervising professionals or managerial staff.
• Experience managing UAS, aerospace, or defense-related programs.
• Experience coordinating federal or state-funded projects and stakeholder relations.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives or multi-program portfolios with complex funding and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing budgets and allocating resources across multiple programs.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, engineering, public administration, or related discipline.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience leading cross-functional and multi-level teams.