Project Director_Dine E2G Adv Man & Job Creation Init.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Project Director provides strategic leadership, operational execution, and administrative oversight for the Diné E2G (Education to Growth) Advanced Manufacturing Training & Job Creation Initiative. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA), this cross-disciplinary initiative unites NTU's Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), the Business Department, the Land-Grant Extension program, Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development (NNDED), federal partners (SBA, national laboratories), and private-sector industry to build a Tribally led distributed advanced manufacturing ecosystem across the Navajo Nation and Four Corners region.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), the Project Director manages grant operations, coordinates technical and business curricula across main and satellite sites (Crownpoint, Church Rock, Chinle, Zuni, Teec Nos Pos and Kirtland), oversees the Diné Apprenticeship Corps and E2G Capstone Program, facilitates business incubation and technical assistance, ensures federal compliance, and leads regional stakeholder engagement.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Administration, Grant Management & Reporting:

• Direct and manage day-to-day operations, milestones, and deliverables outlined in the SBA ONAA-7j grant work plan.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison with SBA program officers, NTU project leadership, university administration, and external project partners.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Project Assistant and designated student project assistants.
• Coordinate data collection, participant intake/surveys, and milestone tracking (e.g., jobs created/retained, federal bids submitted, capital secured) to prepare and submit federal performance and quarterly progress reports in full compliance with SBA and NTU standards.
• Facilitate regular meetings and reporting with the NNDAM/CAM Advisory Board.

Cross-Disciplinary Program & Curriculum Coordination:

• Coordinate joint workforce initiatives between CAM and the Business Department, integrating technical additive manufacturing training with business management, accounting systems (with Harshwal LLC), and soft-skills development.
• Oversee the development of E2G Capstone Program that would ultimately connect multidisciplinary student teams with regional entrepreneurs, small businesses (including 8(a) and HUBZone firms), and national laboratories to solve real-world manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
• Facilitate training schedules and technical assistance delivery across CAM, the Navajo Tech Innovation Center (NTIC) in Church Rock, and emerging satellite training labs in Chinle, Zuni, and Gallup.
• Support initiatives in cybersecurity compliance readiness and micro-credentials to assist E2G firms in qualifying for federal contracting opportunities.

Workforce, Industry & Regional Ecosystem Development:

• Lead the development and implementation of components of a Diné Apprenticeship Corps, managing participant recruitment, onboarding, supportive services, and placement into experiential learning and apprenticeships.
• Develop and manage relationships with potential partners, including federal agencies (e.g., SBA regional and state offices), industry/private sector, training providers and institutions of higher education, and relevant Navajo Nation, state and local governmental agencies.
• Execute regional manufacturing resource mapping initiatives to identify supplier networks, training needs, and supply chain opportunities in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.
• Scale and maintain mentor-protégé partnerships with regional industry partners (e.g., Ridgeline Manufacturing & Engineering, Iina LLC) and small business startups across McKinley, San Juan, Apache, and Navajo counties.
• Direct community outreach across Navajo Chapter houses and regional tribal communities to engage workers and entrepreneurs in upskilling, reskilling, and enterprise development.

Fiscal & Operational Compliance:

• Monitor grant expenditures, subcontracts, procurement, and travel in strict accordance with NTU procurement policies, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and SBA grant terms.
• Work collaboratively with the NTU Business Office and Sponsored Programs to review financial ledgers, track direct costs, and support internal and federal audits.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure communication among personnel regarding departmental activities.
• Oversees the supervision of staff, including work allocation, scheduling, training, and problem resolution.
• Increases staff and faculty effectiveness by recruiting, hiring, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, evaluation and disciplining, and terminating personnel appropriately; communicates values, strategies, and objectives.
• Obtains, develops and maintains necessary personnel, training, and equipment to achieve financial, operational, and compliance expectations.
• Preparing and maintaining departmental budgets and oversee compliance throughout fiscal year; time keeping and approval.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Technology Management, Engineering, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field (Master's degree preferred).

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in program management, sponsored project administration, workforce development, or technical/business project coordination.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting federally funded grants or contracts (SBA, NSF, NNSA, USDA, NASA, or similar).
• Must possess a valid state-issued driver's license.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check in accordance with Navajo Technical University policy.
• Proven track record in budget oversight, federal milestone tracking, and stakeholder coordination.

The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions, or transfers of individuals into this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing concepts, business incubation, or small business development ecosystems.
• Proficiency in project management tools, spreadsheet analysis, and data reporting platforms.
• Familiarity with federal grant compliance (2 CFR 200 / OMB Uniform Guidance).
• Strong interpersonal, written, and presentation skills with experience delivering briefings to tribal leaders, academic administrators, federal officers, and industry executives.
• Understanding of, and deep commitment to, the Diné Philosophy of Education, tribal data sovereignty, and the socio-economic landscape of the Navajo Nation and Four Corners Native communities.
• Willingness to travel throughout the Navajo Nation, the Southwest region, and nationally as required for project operations and federal sponsor meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand and walk for prolonged periods.
• Use hands for dexterity of motion, repetitive movement of both hands.
• Have normal auditory, visual acuity, and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull upwards of 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is typically performed within an office setting.
• Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.
• Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.
• Travel may be required.