Research Project Manager - Comprehensive Integrated Research Operations (CIRO)

Department:

Comprehensive Integrated Research Operations (CIRO)

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Administration

Position Title:

Research Project Manager - Comprehensive Integrated Research Operations (CIRO)

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

The Comprehensive Integrated Research Operations (CIRO) is a centralized unit that provides services to support the Institution’s research enterprise.

The Research Project Manager supports and manages complex research portfolios in collaboration within institutional structures, faculty, and sponsors. This position will manage and coordinate all extramural development, major program projects, or set of programs established to address a key area of specialized focus. This position provides a full range of administrative support for the research enterprise in the Institution. However, the position’s primary goal will be to ensure adequate support to faculty, including overseeing the management of extramural funds while providing various services and technical support to the department.

Job Description:

Job Duties

• Lead and manage complex research portfolios in collaboration with institutional leadership, faculty, and external sponsors, ensuring alignment with departmental research goals and institutional priorities.

• Support the planning, development, and execution of major program projects and specialized research initiatives, in collaboration with faculty, including coordination across multiple sites and disciplines.

• Provide high-level administrative, operational, and fiscal oversight for extramural and intramural research funds, ensuring optimal resource allocation.

• Drive strategic growth by supporting the development of competitive research proposals and fostering collaborations to expand the research enterprise.

• Serve as the primary liaison among sponsors, multi-site collaborators, principal investigators, contract research organizations, community partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure clear communication and coordinated efforts.

• Support the internal implementation of general principles of GAAP standards and CIRO standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensuring financial compliance and consistency with contracts and agreements over the life of the project, following institutional and sponsor guidelines.

• Conduct regular portfolio reviews with project leaders to monitor financial projections, proposal activity, milestone completion, and achievement of research objectives.

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend improvements to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and ensure effective workflows with adherence to quality standards.

• Mentor, train, and supervise staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring adherence to best practices and institutional standards.

• Partner with the Director to establish and refine standard operating procedures, workflow processes, and process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree. Education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. 

Work Experience:

• 5 years of related work experience, including business administration, research administration (e.g., managing extramural funding, coordinating large research projects, liaising with sponsors), project management and grant management.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Health or a degree in Research Administration.

Certifications/Licenses: At least one of the following:

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

• Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)

• Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)

Work Experience:

• 5 years in a large clinical unit within academia or research administration.

Skills

• Strategic Planning

• Budget Development

• Organization

• Attention to detail

• Communication

• Interpersonal skills

Required Documents