Role of the Project Management Office in University Research Centres

University Research Centres (URCs) have become a primary organisational structure in universities for bringing together critical mass of multidisciplinary research interests that can compete large, funded projects and create breakthrough results. Some the more successful URCs are now developing specialised project management offices (PMOs) coordinate key activities, from proposal development to execution, ensure results disseminated. A challenge is define what roles, functions, competencies such PMO should have. This identifies number attributes PMOs meet unique challenges URCs. paper presents an initial conceptualisation roles functions developed literature review later tested via detailed survey among 370 URC participants involved collaborative R&D worldwide. The study suggests there three maturity stages: ‘basic’, ‘intermediate’, ‘advanced’. resulting highlights six ‘basic’ stage, additional ten ‘intermediate’ further ‘advanced’ PMO. presented provides guidance decision support when selecting role play achieving tangible intangible benefits. Although lengthy list none these be considered isolation. Most interact with each other affect PMOs’ impact within various ways. contributes transformative evolutionary nature PMOs, illustrates receptive even demanding need effective improve operation major programs greater societal by