Senior Project Analyst

Job No: 503134

Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)

Location: Dayton, OH

Category: Research Institute Staff

Department: Sustainment Bus Support Ser

Pay Grade: P3 - Exempt

Advertised: October 13, 2025

Applications close: October 24, 2025

Position Summary:

Be the Brain Behind Breakthroughs at the University of Dayton Research Institute

Are you ready to turn insight into innovation? The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) is seeking a dynamic, detail-driven Senior Project Analyst to help power cutting-edge research and strategic excellence. Join a nationally recognized institution where your analytical expertise fuels discovery, collaboration, and community impact.

This position will support a broad array of programs for sustainment activities. The position will require an understanding of program management principals and processes. The successful candidate will provide budget, some project management, timing and technical support for multiple programs. This position will serve as a support role for senior program managers and engineers. The majority of work will support government customers with some industry partners as well.

• Lead financial forecasting, variance analysis, and budget planning across technical and operational departments
• Evaluate contract terms, procurement strategies, and cost structures to optimize financial outcomes
• Develop executive reporting packages and dashboards for senior leadership
• Monitor cost centers for compliance and ensure accurate allocation of expenditures
• Collaborate with stakeholders to streamline data workflows and enhance reporting accuracy
• Support inventory and asset management initiatives, including digital system implementation and audit coordination
• Other efforts include but are not limited to managing internal budgets, assisting with internal Cost Centers, presenting to clients, and participating in various team support activities.

This role will be working in a highly agile environment and therefore, being a team player and having flexibility, adaptability, and attention to detail are keys to success.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in financial or project analysis, preferably in a government or research setting
• Ability to interpret financial/cost data
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to lead financial forecasting, variance analysis, and budget planning across technical and operational departments
• Ability to develop executive reporting packages and dashboards for senior leadership
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective interpersonal communication and presentation skills with coworkers and clients at all levels
• Self-motivation with ability to work with minimal supervision
• Successful collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work on U.S. government contract
• Due to requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. Citizen

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• 2+ years' experience in program management or program support role
• Demonstrated experience working with customers at various levels
• Demonstrated knowledge of various government contract types
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills to effectively manage various project activities ensuring accurate task completion

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.