What is a Project Manager at Research Foundation of CUNY?

A Project Manager (often titled Program Coordinator) at the Research Foundation of CUNY (RF CUNY) serves as the operational backbone for diverse research, education, and public service initiatives. You are responsible for bridging the gap between academic vision and administrative execution, ensuring that grant-funded projects meet their objectives while staying compliant with complex regulatory frameworks. This role is critical because Research Foundation of CUNY manages hundreds of millions of dollars in external funding, and your oversight directly impacts the success of the university's scientific and social contributions.

In this position, you will navigate a high-stakes environment where you manage budgets, coordinate with Principal Investigators (PIs), and oversee project lifecycles. Whether you are supporting a cutting-edge laboratory research project or a community-based educational program, your work ensures that the City University of New York (CUNY) continues to thrive as a premier urban research institution. You will face the unique challenge of balancing the flexibility required for creative research with the rigid requirements of federal, state, and private sponsors.

The role is ideal for individuals who find satisfaction in creating order out of complexity and who enjoy working at the intersection of higher education and public service. You will have the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of specific projects while developing a deep expertise in grant administration, stakeholder management, and operational efficiency. Success in this role means the research team can focus on their expertise while you handle the logistical and financial complexities that keep the project moving forward.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral questions and scenario-based inquiries. The goal is to see how you have handled real-world administrative challenges in the past.

Behavioral & Leadership

• Tell us about a time you had to lead a project with very little oversight.
• Describe a situation where you had to give difficult feedback to a colleague or subordinate.
• How do you handle a situation where you are given a task with an unrealistic deadline?
• Give an example of a time you successfully managed a conflict within your team.
• Why are you interested in working for the Research Foundation of CUNY specifically?

Problem-Solving & Case Studies

• If a project is nearing its end and there are unspent funds, what steps do you take?
• Describe a time you had to learn a new complex system or regulation quickly.
• How do you prioritize your tasks when you have multiple Principal Investigators making demands at the same time?
• Walk us through a time you identified a risk to a project's success and mitigated it.
• How do you ensure accuracy when managing large sets of financial data?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at Research Foundation of CUNY requires a dual focus on your administrative rigor and your ability to collaborate with diverse academic stakeholders. You should approach your preparation by reflecting on your experience with lifecycle management and your ability to thrive in a panel-based evaluation setting.

Grant and Project Lifecycle Knowledge – You must demonstrate a clear understanding of how projects move from inception to closeout. Interviewers evaluate your familiarity with budget monitoring, procurement, and reporting requirements. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance without hindering project progress.

Stakeholder Management & Diplomacy – At Research Foundation of CUNY, you will work with faculty, administrative staff, and external funders. Interviewers look for your ability to manage "up" to Principal Investigators and navigate the bureaucratic landscape of a large university system. Highlighting your communication style in high-pressure situations is essential.

Administrative Precision – This role demands high attention to detail. You will be evaluated on your ability to produce accurate documentation and manage complex schedules. Be prepared to provide examples of your organizational systems and how you handle competing priorities under tight deadlines.

Problem-Solving in Ambiguity – Grant-funded environments are often subject to sudden shifts in funding or policy. Interviewers want to see how you adapt to change and find creative solutions when faced with administrative roadblocks. Demonstrate your ability to remain calm and focused when project parameters shift.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Research Foundation of CUNY is designed to be thorough and collaborative, reflecting the "search committee" culture common in academic environments. You can expect a structured progression that typically begins with an initial screening, followed by intensive panel interviews. Because many roles are tied to specific grant-funded projects, the team members you meet will often be the direct stakeholders or researchers you will support daily.

The pace of the interview stages can be relatively quick, but candidates should be aware that the post-interview administrative process—including background checks and paperwork—can take several weeks. The organization places a heavy emphasis on standardized questioning, meaning you may find that interviewers stick to a pre-determined list of questions to ensure fairness across all candidates. This makes it vital to provide comprehensive, structured answers that cover all aspects of the prompt.

This timeline illustrates the typical path from the initial outreach to the final offer. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, focusing heavily on the panel interview stage, which is the most critical hurdle in the process. Note that the "Work Sample" stage may occur either before or after the primary panel interview depending on the specific project requirements.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Grant and Program Coordination

This is the core of the Project Manager role. You are expected to demonstrate that you can handle the technicalities of project administration, specifically within a research or non-profit context. Strong performance involves showing that you understand the nuances of funding cycles and compliance.

Be ready to go over:

• Budget Monitoring – How you track expenditures against grant allocations and prevent overspending.
• Reporting Requirements – Your experience preparing progress reports for federal or private sponsors.
• Compliance and Ethics – Understanding the regulatory environment (e.g., IRB, HIPAA) that governs research projects.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you discovered a budget discrepancy in a project. How did you resolve it?"
• "How do you ensure that all project activities remain in compliance with the funder's specific guidelines?"

Stakeholder Collaboration & Panel Dynamics

Because you will work with academic professionals who may have varying levels of administrative expertise, your ability to influence and guide them is paramount. In the interview, this is often tested through your interaction with the panel itself.

Be ready to go over:

• Managing Principal Investigators – Strategies for keeping busy researchers on track with administrative deadlines.
• Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements between project staff or administrative departments.
• Communication Style – How you translate complex administrative rules into actionable steps for your team.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "A Principal Investigator wants to move forward with a purchase that isn't in the budget. How do you handle that conversation?"
• "Tell us about a time you had to coordinate a project across multiple departments with competing interests."