Program Manager, Climate & Sustainability Engineering

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You.

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is seeking a highly organized, strategic, and collaborative Program Manager to support a dynamic portfolio of interdisciplinary academic programs and research centers focused on climate, risk, and resilience.
In this role, you will work at the intersection of academic program management, research coordination, and external engagement. You’ll partner closely with program directors, faculty, students, and industry stakeholders while serving as a central integrator across multiple programs and centers, including:
Master of Engineering in Climate and Sustainability Engineering
Master of Engineering in Risk Engineering
Center for Innovation in Risk, Catastrophes, and Decisions (CIRCAD)
Center on Risk
RESILE (resilience-focused research and engagement initiative)
You will play a critical role in strengthening connections across programs, improving systems, and enabling long-term growth. Your work will directly contribute to advancing interdisciplinary education and research at Duke while supporting high-impact programming, partnerships, and student success.
On a daily basis, you will coordinate across multiple stakeholders, manage program operations, track outcomes and performance metrics, support academic and research initiatives, and drive strategic improvements across workflows and systems.
Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree is generally required. Requires 2 years of experience in program management, academic administration, or multi-stakeholder initiatives. OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across complex programs or portfolios
Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:

Ability to translate complex technical or research topics into accessible content
Experience with stakeholder engagement, industry partnerships, or external collaborations
Experience with event planning, communications, and program coordination
Familiarity with climate, risk, resilience, or related technical fields
Experience working in academic, interdisciplinary, or research-driven environments
Experience with data systems, CRM platforms, dashboards, or program tracking tools
Master’s degree preferred
Other Requirements:

Ability to work collaboratively across departments, schools, and external partners
Strong attention to detail and systems-thinking capabilities
Comfortable operating in a growing and evolving program environment
May include occasional travel and evening/weekend events
This position requires that you work on-site for the first 90 days, then you will be eligible for a hybrid schedule.
Position Description:

Coordinate activities across multiple academic programs and research centers to ensure alignment of goals, timelines, and deliverables while serving as a liaison across departments, schools, and partner institutions
Support program directors in strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement, including identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements across workflows, communications, and program operations
Develop, maintain, and manage integrated systems (e.g., CRM tools, program databases, dashboards) to track students, partners, projects, key performance indicators (KPIs), milestones, and outcomes to inform decision‑making
Manage day-to-day academic program operations including student tracking (progress, requirements, graduation readiness), course coordination, scheduling, admissions support, recruitment activities, onboarding, and student engagement initiatives
Coordinate and execute program events such as orientations, seminars, residencies, graduation activities, workshops, and cross‑program convenings
Oversee program budgets, financial processes, expense reconciliation, and assist with financial planning and forecasting
Support research center and grant administration activities including coordination of CIRCAD, RESILE, and related initiatives; scheduling leadership meetings and advisory boards; tracking deliverables and reporting requirements; and assisting with proposal development, reporting, and renewal processes
Coordinate across research teams and partner institutions while supporting subaward processes and sponsor requirements (e.g., NSF IUCRC structures)
Manage and strengthen industry partnerships and external engagement efforts, including coordinating advisory board meetings, tracking partner interactions, cultivating new partnerships, and facilitating internships, capstone projects, and experiential learning opportunities
Support governance processes by preparing materials for leadership teams and advisory boards, tracking decisions and action items, and helping advance strategic initiatives across programs
Develop and manage communications across programs, including newsletters, reports, websites, social media, and stakeholder updates, translating technical research into accessible messaging
Plan and execute conferences, workshops, short courses, and student engagement programming while supporting new initiatives such as executive education offerings and strategic partnerships
Choose Duke.

Join the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University and play a central role in advancing innovative, interdisciplinary programs that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in climate, risk, and resilience. You will collaborate with leading faculty, researchers, and industry partners while helping shape programs that prepare the next generation of engineers and decision-makers.
Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting‑edge research, collaborative culture, and commitment to excellence and discovery. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke offers a vibrant community paired with meaningful opportunities to drive impact across academia and industry.
Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $86,700.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family‑friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑ related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).

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