Program Development Director
ProgramDevelopmentDirector-NationalCooperativeHighwayResearchProgram
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“Program Development Director - National Cooperative Highway Research Program at Program Development Director. Skills: Program Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Portfolio Management, Oversight Committee Support. Support program oversight committee in identifying research needs. Prepare analyses for committee deliberations”
Industry & Context.
problem-solving skills; Ability to solve complex problems involving significant variety; Identify and resolve project-level issues independently
Ability to be visible on camera for meetings when remote, Ability to lift/carry laptop and other mobile devices, Ability to commute to work, Ability to travel between National Academies’ facilities and offsite sponsor/partner locations, Ability to work in different time zones, Ability to perform work responsibilities onsite, where required, Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Knowledge of cooperative or committee-driven research programs, familiarity with transportation research sponsors and policy environments, Understanding of the National Academies’ mission, structure, and culture, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, Ability to negotiate funding, manage high-risk or complex research initiatives, Ability to train, develop, and support staff, Ability to operate with substantial independence, sound judgment, and discretion, Ability to solve complex problems, Ability to work effectively in team-based settings, build and sustain collaborative relationships, Ability to perform effectively in complex, high-impact environments, Ten years of related professional experience, Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy, Significant experience managing applied research projects or programs, Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff
Nice to Have
Senior title preferred
What You'll Do.
Support program oversight committee in identifying research needs
Prepare analyses for committee deliberations
Integrate committee guidance and stakeholder input
Communicate committee decisions internally
Lead planning of oversight committee meetings
Develop executive-quality briefing materials
Document committee decisions and track action items
Engage with stakeholders to identify research needs
Conduct environmental scanning of transportation developments
Synthesize stakeholder input for program direction
Serve as liaison with TRB standing committees
Coordinate with other National Academies divisions
Maintain awareness of related work across CRPs
Manage assigned portfolio of research projects
Manage complex or high-profile research projects
Oversee contractor performance
Identify and resolve project-level issues
Ensure adherence to TRB policies
contracting functions
Support consensus-driven committee processes
decision-focused written materials
Communicate clearly with committee members
Influence outcomes through expertise and analysis
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Work closely with Director and Deputy Director; Serve as primary staff partner to program oversight committee; Engage extensively with senior volunteers, sponsors, and stakeholders; Build and sustain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups; Coordinate with other National Academies divisions and offices; Interact in-person with multiple people and large groups
Communication Scope
written communication skills; verbal communication skills; interpersonal communication skills; effectively engage and influence stakeholders; Communicate clearly and confidently; Influence outcomes through expertise, analysis, and collaboration
Process & Methodology
Manage complex portfolios, Manage competing priorities, Manage high-risk or complex research initiatives, Manage applied research projects or programs, Manage selected complex or high-profile research projects, Oversee contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and deliverables
Full Job Description
## **Job Description Summary:** ** NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION ** The Program Manager provides senior-level, non-supervisory leadership for the development, coordination, and delivery of applied transportation research programs within the Cooperative Transportation Research Programs (CRP), including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), Behavioral Traffic Safety (BTSCRP). Reporting to the Director and working closely with both the Director and Deputy Director, the Program Manager serves as a primary staff partner to the program oversight committee. The position ensures that oversight committee priorities, decisions, and guidance—together with external stakeholder input—are effectively translated into internal program delivery activities and coherent research portfolios. The role exercises substantial independent judgment, manages a portfolio of complex and high-visibility research projects, and engages extensively with senior volunteers, sponsors, and stakeholders across the transportation community. The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, provides leadership in transportation innovation through objective, evidence-based research and convenes experts from government, industry, and academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the CRP are applied research programs—including NCHRP, ACRP, TCRP, and BTSCRP, and others—that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder-driven research and collaboration. ## **Job Description:** _**Responsibilities**_ **Oversight Committee & Program Development** * Work in close cooperation with the Director and Deputy Director to support the program oversight committee in identifying, refining, and prioritizing research needs. * Prepare analyses, op
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