Program Manager - Digestive Diseases Research Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Program Manager manages the Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Research Center (VDDRC), an NIH-funded center advancing digestive disease research through multidisciplinary collaboration, investigator development, and shared research resources. Embedded in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the role plans, develops, and executes programs and initiatives supporting the center’s research, training, and operational objectives, working independently with occasional guidance and coordinating complex activities involving faculty, trainees, researchers, and institutional stakeholders. The position administers VDDRC activities, including NIH center grant administration, pilot project programs, training and enrichment activities, advisory board meetings, retreats, and center communications. It coordinates grant documentation, maintains membership and program records, monitors reporting requirements and deadlines, prepares progress report and renewal materials, and ensures compliance with sponsor and institutional guidelines. The Program Manager also provides executive-level administrative support to the Division Director, Dr. Richard Peek, and acts as an administrative liaison across the division. In partnership with physician recruitment and departmental leadership, the role coordinates faculty recruitment, appointments, onboarding, orientation, and FMLA-related administrative processes. The position supports multiple research and administrative priorities and stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Three years of relevant work experience.
Intermediate program management capability, including planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve program goals and objectives.
Intermediate financial process capability, including monitoring costs, expenses, and revenue in relation to budgeted amounts.
Intermediate process improvement capability.
Intermediate peer leadership capability.
Intermediate networking capability.
Intermediate quality management capability.
Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate activities for the Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Research Center (VDDRC).
Support NIH center grant administration, including coordinating grant documentation, monitoring reporting requirements and deadlines, preparing progress report and renewal materials, and ensuring compliance with sponsor and institutional guidelines.
Coordinate pilot project programs, training and enrichment activities, advisory board meetings, retreats, and center communications.
Maintain center membership and program records.
Provide executive-level administrative support to the Division Director, Dr. Richard Peek.
Serve as a key administrative liaison across the division.
Coordinate faculty recruitment, appointments, onboarding, and orientation in partnership with physician recruitment and departmental leadership.
Coordinate FMLA-related administrative processes.