SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Duke Aging Center

The Duke Aging Center is the University's multidisciplinary hub for aging research and research education. With affiliated investigators and trainees from diverse Schools, Departments, Centers, and Institutes across the institution, all aging roads at Duke lead to the Aging Center.

The Senior Research Project Manager will be responsible for the effective management of a research program or portfolio and requires a deep understanding of various interconnected aspects. It requires not only knowledge of the scientific and regulatory sides but also a comprehensive grasp of institutional and organizational dynamics, financial and grants management, HR regulations, and research administration.

Occupational Summary:

Manage high-level research projects that are of considerable size, scope, and/or complexity. Develop, coordinate, and supervise research, financial and administrative activities of multiple complex grants/programs. Supervise activities performed by subordinates in the collection, compilation, documentation, and analysis of research data.

Work Performed:

Program Management – 60%

• Lead collaborative efforts with the principal investigator(s), research staff, and/or administrative staff in developing, improving, and conducting research proposals, and project evaluation activities, accomplishing directives, and facilitating the resolution of problems.
• Independently monitoring and ensuring team compliance with deadlines as needed. Oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Lead the formulation and implementation of the short and long-range goals for the project/program; set priorities, assign responsibilities, and establish timetables. Project future needs and formulate operational strategies consistent with projections.
• Determine key indicators of program success, and set up processes for obtaining metrics. Monitor, report on, and evaluate program effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative research techniques; investigate trends, and recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.
• Lead discussions with other staff involved in data collection, data analysis, and the execution of the evaluation to ensure compliance with protocol guidelines and adherence to requirements of the project/program; identify problems and take action as appropriate; review study files to ensure accuracy and completeness of data.
• Oversee preparation efforts for a variety of narrative and analytical reports and annual progress reports; monitor adherence to established timelines and recommend corrective action as necessary.
• Analyze and interpret data in conjunction with the principal investigator (s), statisticians, and other members of the research team as appropriate; prepare presentations and written reports and analysis setting forth progress, trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions; collaborate on the preparation of manuscripts for publication, as appropriate.
• Review journals, abstracts, and/or scientific literature to keep abreast of new developments and to obtain information regarding previous studies to aid in the planning of new studies.
• Lead the collection, analysis, interpretation, and documentation of all data generated by the participating parties within the project. Compile and maintain records, reports, and documentation of project activities for use in project evaluation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with all project stakeholders. Plan and conduct meetings with collaborators to ensure compliance with established practices, implement new policies, and keep employees abreast of current changes and standards.

Research Program financial management – 25%

• Work collaboratively with the SOM Grants Team (RASR) to monitor fiscal performance tracking of studies, identifying budget concerns, program implementation issues, and developing resolutions. Advising PI’s on necessary budget adjustments to align with Duke, program, and sponsor requirements. Serve as an expert resource on program/project fund codes and maintain a working knowledge of institutional research administration processes and policies.
• Provide expert guidance to study team members to ensure participant care expenses are handled; troubleshoot, escalate, and resolve issues. Develop study budgets. Coordinate operational plans for multiple research studies.
• Develop systems and documents including process flow, training manuals, and standard operating procedures to be used unit-wide.
• Manage and coordinate the activities of a project(s) with responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods, and reporting requirements. Provide guidance as requested regarding hiring, training, promotions, and disciplinary issues for technical personnel.
• Ensure fiscal oversight of projects through the development of detailed budgets and schedules. Prepare operational and financial reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations.
• Use system reports to ensure unit, division, or department compliance with institutional requirements and other policies; assist team members with understanding these requirements and policies.

Leadership and professionalism – 15%

• Train or oversee others in the above tasks. Proactively seek opportunities to add relevant skills and/or certifications to own portfolio and disseminate information to others as needed.
• Uses advanced subject matter expertise to solve problems.
• Navigate processes and people involved in Duke clinical research, demonstrate organizational awareness, and have the interpersonal skills necessary to get work done efficiently. Demonstrates resilience and is adaptive to change.
• Communicates effectively with others, regardless of reporting relationship, to accomplish shared work objectives.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:

Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of eight years of related experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Skills:

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following skills:

• Strong skills in both communication and program management, demonstrating the ability to plan and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated flexibility and willingness to acquire new skills
• Skills evaluating program performance, summarizing findings, analyzing results to identify strengths and weaknesses and alternative solutions to problems, and forming an action plan
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources
• Working knowledge of NIH grant requirements; Programmatic and financial experience with federal grants
• Familiarity with eRA Commons/ASSIST to include progress report preparation (RPPR)

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field.

Experience

Minimum of eight years of related experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.