Executive Research Manager

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

About The Position

The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation ( IRMII ) is seeking an Executive Research Manager to play a key role in supporting research collaborations with industry, manage graduate research projects, and design and oversee undergraduate research/experiential programs. This position requires a highly organized, proactive individual who drives strategy and owns outcomes across IRMII’s research and educational initiatives ensuring that they are successful, impactful, and aligned with real-world applications.

Requirements

Proven ability to lead complex projects and manage multiple stakeholders with demonstrated success in driving outcomes.
Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills with evidence of strategic thinking and program design.
Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and industry partners while maintaining ownership of deliverables and outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree, particularly in fields related to risk management, business, health, engineering, data science, finance, or related fields.
Demonstrated success coordinating research projects or building industry partnerships strongly desired.
Interest in risk management, insurance, and applied research a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage IRMII’s research partnerships portfolio with portfolio industry, determining selection criteria, designing collaboration frameworks, and establishing deliverable timelines and quality standards.
Direct all aspects of industry engagement including identifying partners and mentors for projects, owning communication strategy, and ensuring accountability for deliverables.
Design and execute IRMII’s research dissemination strategy across all audiences, including academic partners, industry partners, and students through reports, papers, website content, and LinkedIn presence.
Develop industry input mechanisms that inform research projects direction and create opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students to gain practical industry exposure.
Lead planning and execution of IRMII signature events, including the Research Summit, Career Fair, and various events with industry partners, with full ownership of outcomes and attendee experience.
Manage faculty and research teams with ongoing IRMII projects, providing direction on research project design, analysis support, and project execution.
Own project documentation systems, reporting processes, and stakeholder communications protocols
Lead the IRMII undergraduate student researchers program as the primary architect of student experience and professional development.
Design, develop and direct comprehensive programs that enhance student learning and professional development for undergraduates (and graduate students), including guest lectures, mentoring opportunities, career panels, workshops, and experiential programs (e.g., internships, global fellows).
Manage IRMII’s engagement across the broader educational network, leading grant programs, scholarship programs, student case competitions, and any other networks that support student development and engagement.
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other UNC departments and external organizations to expand undergraduate research opportunities for and institutional reach.
Direct all aspects of student career preparation including resume development, interview preparation, career advising, and internship matching
Own student metrics tracking and outcomes assessment, using data to drive continuous program improvement.
Lead the creation of industry-ready research materials including one-pagers, proposals, and presentations that showcase IRMII’s research impact.
Develop and execute strategies for research proposal development and industry collaboration opportunities.
Design streamlined approaches to data sharing and research collaboration that balance academic rigor with industry needs.
Identify and pursue opportunities for research dissemination including conferences, case competitions, thought leadership pieces, and inter-university collaborations.
Own the assessment framework for research progress, student outcomes, and program impact.
Determine appropriate follow-up actions and interventions based on data analysis.
Direct program improvements and strategic initiatives using evidence-based decision making.
Lead grant reporting and documentation that demonstrates IRMII’s impact and value to stakeholders.