Program Manager

Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Nashville, TN

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology division is a multidisciplinary research team comprised of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of those with neurodegenerative disorders and their families. This division focuses on diagnosis, treatment and scientific study of neurodegeneration, with a focus on cognitive, movement, and behavioral disorders. Our team integrates clinical neurology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, neuroimaging, and translational research to advance clinical care and treatment options for our patients and their families. The Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology division is seeking a highly motivated Program Manager to join the team. The Program Manager will be responsible for the Darby Lab Frontotemporal Dementia program of research. The Darby Lab uses a combination of structural MRI, functional connectivity MRI, and behavioral testing to understand complex neurological disorders involving cognitive impairment, psychosis, and/or abnormal social behavior. The applicant will be primarily responsible for managing clinical research studies in patients with frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), as well as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson disease. The Darby Lab displays a wide range of research studies from longitudinal natural history studies, studies on social decision-making, and clinical trials that range from phase 1-3, including gene therapy. The Program Manager will work closely with coordinators, investigators, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and other team members to support the execution of pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials, foundation funded observational studies, and NIH funded research. The division is committed to training the next generation of clinicians, scientists, and research professionals. The division provides extensive education and professional development opportunities for research staff, neurology residents and fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and students exploring careers in neuroscience, medicine, neuropsychology, nursing, and more. Team members participate in a variety of experiences including weekly meetings, seminars, protocol trainings, journal clubs, observe clinical evaluations, non-invasive procedures, neuroimaging, and cognitive assessments, and have opportunities to obtain hands-on experience and training in good clinical practice (GCP), human subjects protections, regulatory processes, biospecimen handling, cognitive testing, clinical data collection, and others. Additionally, there are mentorship opportunities from faculty, senior research managers, and other staff. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in neurology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, or medicine who want hands-on clinical research program management experience in a collaborative academic environment. We are seeking a highly motivated, self-directed individual with skills in organization, project management, problem solving, effective communication, and people management. Strong interpersonal skills in empathy and comfort working with individuals with cognitive and movement symptoms is required. This is a fully in-person job with potential occasional evening or weekend hours. Ideally, the candidate would have 3-5 years of clinical research coordinating experience, including clinical trial experience, and foundational skills to effectively and independently manage the people and projects within a large research portfolio.

Requirements

• Skills in organization, project management, problem solving, effective communication, and people management
• Strong interpersonal skills in empathy and comfort working with individuals with cognitive and movement symptoms is required
• 3-5 years of clinical research coordinating experience, including clinical trial experience, and foundational skills to effectively and independently manage the people and projects within a large research portfolio
• Bachelor's

Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation, coordination and execution of research studies for the program
• Complete and oversee study start up activities including, but not limited to, completion of feasibility surveys, submission of all VUMC applications, coordinating quote development for budgeting, submission of billing grid, sending relevant documents to sponsors (1572s, DoA logs, signed CVs, etc.), and attending site selection and activation meetings
• Mentor, guide, and provide training and guidance for individuals supporting the program (e.g., research coordinators, undergraduate students)
• Develop and integrate program plans, timelines, and resource allocations to ensure study milestones and recruitment goals are met
• Promote growth and expansion of the program
• Serve as the primary contact for cross-functional teams related to community patient engagement, research operations, regulatory affairs, and sponsors
• Ensure programs are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations and standard operating procedures
• Oversee and submit IRB applications, amendments, continuing reviews, adverse events, protocol deviations, and study closures
• Plan, schedule, prepare agendas for, and lead program-level and study-level meetings (including consensus meetings, journal clubs, lab meetings, vendor meetings, sponsor meetings, etc.)
• Act as liaison between study teams including the IRB, investigational drug service, clinical research center, sponsor teams, genetic counseling, and others
• Drive continuous improvement related to program governance, meeting effectiveness, workflows, and compliance processes
• Ensure alignment of program objectives with organizational strategy
• Oversee and coordinate internal study monitoring and quality assurance activities, including developing and executing monitoring plans and follow-up actions
• Work with sponsor monitors and ensure compliance with monitoring, review monitoring reports, and ensure findings, deviations, and corrective and preventative actions are tracked
• Provide budgetary management to the program

Benefits

• Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.
• EOE/Vets/Disabled.
• High-achieving employees stay at VUMC for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees