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GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

Under the general direction of the Program Manager of the Work Without Limits Administrative Employment Network (AEN Program Manager)  or designee, the Project Associate, AEN is responsible for supporting enterprise-wide projects. The Project Associate, AEN will assist the AEN Program Manager in leading and documenting project activities, and may lead sub-components of a project, specifically the Ticket to Work Administrative Employment Network  under UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits program.  The Project Associate is also responsible for planning and coordinating project related activities of small and medium size projects that will vary in scope including the management of resources in a matrix environment. The Project Associate will develop and implement projects while adhering to UMMS’s Project Management guidelines. The Project Associate will provide expert technical assistance to Work Without Limits staff and customers on the US Social Security Administration (SSA) Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency program as well as SSA’s disability benefit and work incentive programs.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads medium and small projects in collaboration with the Director or designee
• Performs data analysis, market research, and other tasks in support of the initial feasibility study prior to the formalization of a project and presents findings to senior leadership
• Assists in the development of new project plans. Responsible for developing project schedule and budget for approval. Ensures that project execution is timely, successful, and meets expectations
• Prepares material for project meetings, regulatory agency submissions, and coordinate arrangements applicable to assigned projects, such as interview arrangements, site visits, etc.
• Participates in oral and written reporting and presentation of all project findings; participates in project status meetings and preparation of final project deliverables
• Convenes and directs project teams to effectively address project requirements according to objectives, schedule and budget and implement work plans. Coordinates follow-up activities as necessary to ensure that schedules, budgets, and other project expectations and timelines are completed as required
• Drafts project statements in collaboration with project team members on data collection, project work plans, meetings, decisions, work change orders, project deliverables, progress reports, schedules, cost tracking reports, and other pertinent reports
• Facilitates communication of the project’s status, budget, costs, issues, and related information to the project’s team leaders, project sponsor, steering committee, affected business unit(s), and team members as appropriate
• Assists the project’s sponsor in refining the project scope and objectives, including any constraints
• Organizes and prepares for all facets of project team meetings.
• Provides direction to junior research staff, student interns, and temporary project support staff as necessary
• Manage special projects, project and/or vendor evaluations, feasibility studies and other activities related to business development within defined time lines as assigned
• Assist the Director or designee in the development of contracts related to the project success
• Participate in the Continuous Quality Improvement program
• Performs other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management, Business Administration, or equivalent
• 4 years of demonstrated experience in project management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with staff, clients, and vendor staff
• Ability to lead and direct a matrix project team, as well as the ability to lead and direct effective meetings and work sessions
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to travel to off-site locations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently or previously certified as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) or Community Partner Work Incentive Coordinator (CPWIC) by SSA; expert knowledge of SSA’s disability benefit and work incentive programs
• In-depth knowledge of, and hands-on experience with SSA’s Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency program
• Knowledge of, and prior experience with public benefit programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, TANF, and subsidized housing.