LONESTARP3Program Manager

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Job Details:

A leadership position within LONESTARP3, reporting to the Director, responsible for leading and orchestrating the work of RP3 Research Collaboratives across research, operations, and strategy. In this capacity, the Program Manager leads shared purpose-setting and design of structures for collaboration, ensuring that research activities, grant operations, and communication efforts are coherent, aligned, and mutually reinforcing. The position also oversees and guides translation of collaborative research into accessible, actionable products and in supporting reflective practice and learning across the LONESTARP3network.

This position emphasizes sensemaking leadership and program orchestration. The Program Manager enables Research Collaboratives to work effectively across organizational, disciplinary, and sector boundaries, using designs and systems that promote reflective practice, shared learning, and network health by design.

This position will also support the design and launch of new cohorts of LONESTARP3 Research Collaboratives, supporting them from initial contracting, through investigation, and documenting findings. Responsibilities include updating and maintaining structured protocols and guidance for research design, implementation, and reporting processes to ensure equitable and inclusive participation of all collaborative members and reviewing resulting designs to ensure alignment with RP3 priorities, agile approaches, and actionable outcomes.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys working at the intersection of research, practice, and policy; is comfortable leading through influence rather than authority; and values building shared understanding across diverse partners. This role is well-suited for individuals who enjoy designing structures, facilitating learning, and supporting collaboration in complex, evolving environments.

This position is grant funded through September 30, 2027, renewed annually based on continued receipt of funding.

Program Operations & Grant Stewardship

Support the LONESTARP3 Research Collaborative cohorts through effective grant and program operations. Responsibilities intensify during cohort launch and early implementation periods and include:

• Oversee and manage Research Collaborative grants, including tracking budgets, invoices, and compliance requirements.

• Direct and monitor grant deliverables and timelines; maintain systems and tools to support accountability and transparency.

• Serve as a primary point of coordination between Research Collaboratives, RP3 leadership, and funders regarding grant requirements and progress.

• Develop and steward processes and documentation to support efficient grant administration across cohorts.

• Translate grant requirements, subaward status, and compliance expectations into accessible updates for Research Collaboratives to support timely execution and shared accountability.

Research Translation & Communications Infrastructure

Lead the design and maintenance of shared communication and translation infrastructure that enables Research Collaboratives to communicate progress and findings to internal and external audiences.

• Direct the development and use of standardized templates and structures (e.g., slide decks, progress reports, briefs) to support consistent and high-quality communication across Research Collaboratives.

• Translate research activities and emerging findings into accessible, audience-specific materials for funders, policy partners, and intermediary organizations.

• Support Research Collaboratives in preparing updates and products for convenings, reporting cycles, and external dissemination.

• Oversee the production and quality of recurring translation products, including progress reports, brochures, and external-facing updates.

This area of responsibility requires comfort facilitating ambiguity, navigating differing priorities, and supporting collaboration across institutional and sector boundaries. Support the effective functioning and relational health of the RP3 Research Collaborative network, as well as the health and impact of the LONESTARP3 network broadly.

• Lead, design, and facilitate structured, cross-collaborative convenings that integrate research progress, operational updates, and shared learning.

• Establish and direct meeting protocols that promote reflection, knowledge exchange, and problem-solving across Research Collaboratives.

• Identify, synthesize, and elevate cross-cutting issues, risks, and opportunities emerging from collaborative discussions and elevate them to RP3 leadership.

• Support relationship-building and trust across diverse research, practice, and policy partners through consistent engagement and responsive follow-up.

• Develop tools, instruments and measure for collecting feedback on the quality, value, and impact of Collaborative activities.

Lead and guide analytic and planning activities to inform the development of future RP3 research priorities and Research Collaborative cohorts.

• Direct and refine landscape analyses to synthesize existing research, identify gaps, and surface emerging priorities.

• Prepare internal analyses, summaries, and presentations to support strategic decision-making related to RP3's research agenda.

• Contribute to framing research agenda for future Research Collaborative cohorts in alignment with RP3 priorities and funder interests.

Represent RP3 in professional and field-based settings to support visibility, learning, and partnership development.

• Participate in RP3 convenings and external events as a representative of the initiative.

• Contribute to presentations, panels, or discussions that highlight RP3 research activities and approaches.

• Support relationship-building with external partners, intermediaries, and peer organizations in the education research and policy field.

Master's degree in education, economics, or similar field, with 5 years of work experience. Experience in quantitative research methods using state longitudinal data bases. Experience coordinating or administering a program focused on improving student outcomes. Experience communicating best practice and evidence to policy advocates or policy makers. Demonstrated writing, research, and project management skills. Strong communication skills, as well as an understanding of the higher education research community. Ability to self-start, learn quickly, meet deadlines, and follow through on tasks.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Doctoral Degree in education, economics, or similar field, with 7 years of work experience. Experience in postsecondary pathways, in either research, program, or policy roles. Experience with Qualtrics for collecting data and generating reports. Experience with the Texas Education Research Center for accessing data and conducting analyses.

$90,000+ depending on qualifications

Typical office environment

Use of manual dexterity

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.