Research Project Management

Penn State University•Tallahassee, FL

6d•$91,488 - $137,280•Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides project, operational, and administrative leadership for the Department of Medicine's clinical and translational research enterprise. This role develops and coordinates a shared clinical research support model that expands investigators' ability to initiate, activate, and sustain clinical and translational research across Department divisions. The position is designed to create a Department-level infrastructure to support study start-up, IRB and regulatory navigation, standardized workflows, coordinator utilization oversight, investigator intake, and connection to institutional research resources. The Manager of Research Project Management provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a team of research professionals supporting complex research programs, centers, and initiatives; oversees the planning, delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of research project management services while ensuring projects are executed with scientific rigor, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of financial and organizational resources; partners with Principal Investigators, faculty, research leadership, sponsors, and institutional stakeholders to establish strategic priorities, optimize project management practices, and advance the University's research mission; leads organizational planning, workforce development, process improvement, and resource allocation to strengthen research capabilities and achieve long-term research objectives. This profile is intended for managers responsible for leading research project management functions supporting multiple research programs, departments, institutes, or centers. Positions assigned to this profile are accountable for personnel leadership, operational management, strategic planning, and the overall effectiveness of research project management services.

Requirements

Master's Degree
8+ years of relevant experience
3+ years of supervisory experience
Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Research Project Managers and related staff; oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and professional development
Establish performance expectations, monitor workload distribution, evaluate operational effectiveness, and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence
Direct the delivery of research project management services across multiple research programs, centers, institutes, or portfolios to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope and budget, and in accordance with sponsor and institutional requirements
Develop, implement, and continuously improve standardized project management methodologies, governance frameworks, operating procedures, workflows, tools, templates, and reporting practices to enhance consistency, efficiency, and research outcomes
Oversee research project infrastructure, resource planning, capacity management, and staff assignments to effectively balance competing priorities and organizational objectives
Evaluate research methodologies, project execution strategies, data management plans, operational processes, and project performance metrics; recommend improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, scientific integrity, and organizational effectiveness
Serve as the primary liaison with Principal Investigators, faculty, leadership, sponsors, advisory boards, regulatory agencies, and external collaborators; facilitate multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research initiatives and strategic partnerships
Direct governance activities, monitor project portfolios, evaluate risks, resolve escalated operational issues, and ensure accountability for project milestones, deliverables, and sponsor commitments
Provide leadership and oversight to ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and University regulations, policies, and ethical standards governing research, including human subjects, animal care, biosafety, export controls, data security, responsible conduct of research, and other applicable requirements
Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of project reporting processes; ensure accurate operational, financial, compliance, and performance reporting for investigators, sponsors, and institutional leadership
Develop and administer departmental and project management operating budgets; oversee financial planning, resource allocation, expenditures, staffing forecasts, and financial reporting; advise leadership regarding funding strategies and resource utilization
Collaborate with research accounting, sponsored programs, finance, payroll, compliance, and administrative partners to ensure effective financial and operational management of research activities
Lead strategic initiatives and special projects that improve research operations, expand organizational capabilities, strengthen project management practices, and enhance institutional research competitiveness
Partner with research leadership to develop strategic plans, establish long-term organizational priorities, identify opportunities for program growth, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and support the expansion of the University's research portfolio
Monitor emerging trends, technologies, regulations, and best practices in research administration and project management; implement innovative approaches that improve organizational performance and research effectiveness
Represent the research organization on institutional committees, governance groups, and cross-functional initiatives related to research operations, project management, and strategic planning