Employer: University of Illinois – Chicago
Hiring Department: Office of Population Health Sciences
Job Title: Visiting Research Project Manager
Additional Information: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/8421?c=uic
Position Summary: The Research Project Manager is primarily responsible for the oversight and execution of goals, tasks, and milestones for all components of research studies at Population Health Sciences housed at the UIC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs. The position will oversee timelines and deliverables for aspects of research and can include oversight on: Admin, Clinical, Community, Data Management, and Analysis cores, as well as deliverables for subcontracted sites. They work with identified committees, communicate with the prime sponsors/organizations, ensure appropriate and timely reporting as well as adjustment of protocols and procedures as required; appropriate sequencing and timing of tasks, complex coordination of diverse teams, resource management, and effective problem solving for a timely completion of projects.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Research & Protocol Compliance
- Organize and project manage multiple research studies, projects, and trials, across internal and external teams from start-up to close-out as assigned.
- Lead the research project life cycle from activation through close-out, leading team efforts to complete all activities and comply with regulations to ensure that project goals are met.
- Identify, track, and analyze barriers in current processes and monitor progress against milestones and project plans. As an important part of the research team, contribute to completion of goals and tasks as outlined in the project plan by actively assuming responsibility for components of the research necessary for its timely completion.
- Provide ongoing assistance to the principal investigator and other team members in prioritizing study related tasks. Delegate and prioritize and assist others with prioritizing study tasks.
- Utilize research expertise and problem-solving skills to contribute to the conduct of the study and completion of research goals.
- Lead efforts to monitor and report progress and outcomes for the project to principal investigator and other study team members.
- Assess protocols to develop research project plans to manage project activities.
- Update and revise plans as required to meet the goals of the project.
- Stay up to date on new training methods and techniques.
- Partner with internal work stream members to facilitate, coordinate, and help deliver necessary training.
- Market available training to employees and provide necessary information about sessions.
- Plan, curate, and facilitate virtual and in-person training for team members as needed.
- Help define metrics for measuring research operational success and create appropriate reports on study status and progress towards goals.
- Research and review sponsor requirements at the proposal stage and ensure compliance prior to application submission.
Communication
- Lead study team efforts for communication of information and opportunities for discussion and problem-solving by coordinating regular study team meeting and other meetings as needed. (e.g. coordinator calls, executive committee calls, steering committees).
- Engage stakeholders, including research collaborators, other study team members, consortium members and participants to collect and communicate research requirements, and set expectations for research-related work for team.
- First point of contact for sites about changes to the study, upcoming events, feedback opportunities, etc.
- Act as the conduit between study sites and the study team by identifying challenges and questions sites might have and communicating them to the appropriate team member as well as sharing information with sites.
- Facilitate and attend meetings with appropriate parties.
Management and Administration
- Review, approve and manage changes in project scope, schedule, and cost and ensure the operationalization of changes.
- Identify needed resources.
- Resolve or escalate issues in a timely manner.
- Be responsible for implementing operational strategies and tactics developed by the Senior Project Manager.
- Appropriate sequencing and timing of tasks, complex coordination of diverse teams, resource management, and effective problem solving to ensure timely.
- Assist with research site operations, including training and scheduling.
- Collaborate with members of the research organization to ensure operational success of the study.
- Create project coordinator processes and workflows that can be implemented across the BCC to ensure consistency amongst studies.
Other:
- Develop and maintain project specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (coordinator, call center).
- Submit and maintain regulatory documents.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
- A minimum of five years of professional level research experience, OR equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
- Demonstrated proficiency in project management, including planning, execution, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
- Skilled in identifying opportunities to improve efficiency of research operations and subsequently execute improvements.
- Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.
- High personal work standards and sense of urgency about results.
- Ability to adapt to changing conditions and effectively lead a team through change
- Problem-solving ability, including the ability to analyze complex situations, identify resources, and imagine alternatives.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others and build relationships across multiple stakeholder groups and various levels of the organization.
