Program Manager for Louisiana RESTORE Act Center of Excellence en The Water Institute

The Water Institute seeks an experienced Program Manager to oversee projects within the Louisiana RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (LA-COE) and other high-profile initiatives advancing Gulf Coast restoration and resilience. This position is responsible for managing competitive research grants, complex programs, and projects that support Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan and other restoration priorities. The role combines strategic planning, operational management, partnership development, and research oversight, ensuring projects meet objectives, adhere to federal compliance, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Grant & Program Management: Administer the LA-COE competitive research grants program, including issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating proposals, selecting grant recipients, issuing subawards, and monitoring research progress.
• Project Oversight: Lead high-profile or complex projects to ensure they meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations. Develop and manage work breakdown structures, coordinate tasks across project teams, and identify efficiencies or synergies among linked projects.
• Strategic Planning & Policy Development: Provide guidance on the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational plans to ensure program growth, sustainability, and compliance with federal regulations.
• Research Coordination & Data Management: Ensure applied research aligns with state restoration priorities, such as Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. Establish and monitor adherence to data management standards and produce reports tracking progress and success metrics.
• Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain collaborations with research institutions, government agencies, non-profits, and other stakeholders to advance restoration objectives. Foster team communication and collaborative decision-making.
• Compliance & Financial Oversight: Ensure compliance with federal requirements, grant policies, and institutional procedures. Monitor project budgets, invoices, and reporting; identify cost variances and escalate as needed.
• Quality Assurance & Client Relations: Conduct quality control to ensure deliverables meet client and stakeholder expectations. Regularly solicit feedback, monitor satisfaction, and adapt plans as necessary to achieve full acceptance of deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, natural sciences, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in program or project management, including grants or government contracts.
• Strong knowledge of Gulf Coast restoration, coastal resilience, and the local stakeholder landscape.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to manage multiple, complex projects and teams.
• Experience with contracts, subawards, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in social sciences, natural sciences, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years managing large, complex projects or programs, including government grants/contracts.
• Knowledge of the RESTORE Act, federal acquisition regulations, and federal grant reporting requirements.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• Proven success in developing partnerships and fostering collaboration among research institutions, agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, flexible, energetic, and forward-thinking, with a collaborative and team-oriented approach.

We are headquartered in Baton Rouge and the position will be located in Louisiana at our main office in Baton Rouge. This position may be hired into the Project Management Office or the Coastal Ecology Department depending on the successful candidate’s skills and education.

The Water Institute is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

The hiring pay for the position starts at $105,000 and a final determination is based on the skills, education, and/or experience of the successful candidate. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current staff as part of any final offer. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time exempt positions. 

Unique Benefits of a Water Institute Career

• Growth opportunity: We are always learning and developing new research methodologies and working with partners to solve problems. You will have the opportunity to engage in growing and leading research with ample opportunities to take ownership and grow.
• Flexibility: We understand that our team members have different needs and do our best to work with their schedules while getting the job done.  
• Inclusive environment: We are committed to building an inclusive environment where all teammates feel comfortable and supported.
• Fun! We love to keep things fun, both within our work and at company-wide events.
• Work life balance: We are respectful of people’s boundaries and support that through Institute values as well as our Flexible Leave Policy so that our team has time to recharge and do their best work within the mission of the organization.
• The Water Institute Values: Scientific Integrity, Excellence, Transdisciplinary Collaboration, Accountability, Diversity, Work/Life Balance, Respect, Impact