Research Project Manager

Job Type:

Research Project Manager

RAND Research Administrative Operations has an exciting opportunity for a Research Project Manager to support the Meselson Institute . This individual will be responsible for assisting the Director in identifying and implementing strategies to reduce risks from biological threats and emerging technologies.

Using discretion and independent judgement, the successful candidate will work with the Institute management team to oversee projects and ensure they are completed successfully, in a timely fashion, and within budget. Will also plan and designate project resources, oversee budgets, monitor progress, and keep sponsors and leadership informed the entire way.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage program and project schedules, ensuring timelines are met, and project leadership and staff are on schedule

• Predict resources needed to reach objectives and manage resources in an effective and efficient manner

• Oversee project costs to meet spending and revenue budgets, track spending rates, labor charges and subcontractor payments

• Facilitate internal team coordination, ensuring complex multi-team projects move forward smoothly

• Provide project updates on a consistent basis to program leadership about strategy, adjustments, and progress

• Measure project performance to identify areas for improvement

• Track deliverables throughout the QA/Publications process

• Collaborate with internal partners including Information Services, Human Resources, and the Office of External Affairs, cultivating and maintaining long-lasting professional relationships

• Facilitate communication between sponsors, program and project leadership, and project staff

• Navigate security, clearance, and disclosure challenges, ensuring confidential and sensitive information is safeguarded, following proper protocols in accessing and/or sharing

• Provide high-level client engagement with sponsors and external partners, regularly communicating with sponsors, program and project leadership, and team members via phone, email, and in-person

• Provide input and recommendations on how best to manage project deliverables and timelines

• End-to-end responsibility for taking care of (including delegating) tasks critical to the Institute’s mission but outside the scope of other existing roles

Qualifications

This position requires excellent analytic and problem-solving skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity. This position also requires:

·       Ability to manage multiple competing priorities 

·       Inquisitive active thinker willing and able to quickly learn new concepts; take initiative to advance assignments as far as possible with minimal direction

·       Excellent attention to detail, able to produce high-quality precision work

·       Proven ability to get things done quickly and effectively, and independently overcoming a variety of organizational and operational hurdles

·       Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities

·       Excellent verbal communication, judgment, and interpersonal skills, plus the ability to work closely with all levels of staff throughout the organization 

·       Proactive, with a sense of ownership 

Education

Minimum: Bachelor's degree or High school diploma with PMP certification

Experience

4 years minimum experience; 6 years preferred

Pay Range

$71,000- $105,400

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Location

Washington, D.C., San Francisco Bay Area 

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet