Project Planner II, Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy

Duke Careers•Durham, NC

8d•$77,898 - $124,598

About The Position

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries. Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke. Be You. At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Project Planner II, you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team committed to strengthening the lives of children and families. You will contribute directly to the mission of the Center for Child & Family Policy, which is dedicated to improving the well‑being of children and families through research, education, and engagement. The Center studies factors that influence child outcomes, develops and tests promising interventions, and advances evidence‑based practices and policies that unlock opportunity for all children and their families. In this role, you become part of a community that values curiosity, compassion, innovation, and the belief that research can shape better futures. Be Bold. As the Project Planner II, you will lead and coordinate key research and administrative activities for complex evaluation and implementation projects within the Center for Child & Family Policy. You will oversee day‑to‑day operations, including supervision of data technicians, management of participant contact processes, tracking of survey completion rates, and conducting qualitative interviews. You will support essential financial and administrative tasks such as purchasing, tracking participant payments, and maintaining accurate accounting processes. You will also serve as a critical liaison between research staff and project leadership to ensure timelines are met, protocols are adhered to, and project goals are successfully executed. Your work will contribute to the development of procedures manuals, technical reports, and the ongoing collection of administrative data — helping to ensure that research insights translate into meaningful, real‑world impact for children and families.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Four years of progressive project management experience in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
Experience with research or community‑based evaluation, including data collection, management, and analysis.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
Independent judgment and decision‑making strengths.
Excellent time‑management, organizational, and prioritization abilities.
Database development and data management experience.
Strong written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and projects.

Nice To Haves

Project Management coursework or certification preferred.
Master’s degree in social sciences or a related field preferred.
Experience in medical education/publishing, clinical research, or medical product development is desirable.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with research staff and community partners to plan and implement research and evaluation activities.
Coordinate across multiple sites and support stakeholder relationship management.
Manage, review, and clean project data; identify issues and implement corrective actions.
Oversee database development and usage (e.g., RedCap).
Hire, train, and supervise data technicians and student staff.
Train community-based partners to ensure alignment with research protocols.
Draft research protocols, codebooks, and measurement tools.
Collaborate on analysis plans, interpret data, and prepare reports and presentations.
Prepare and manage IRB submissions and amendments.
Support budget management, contracting, and scope revisions.
Conduct literature reviews and contribute to manuscripts for publication.
Assist in identifying funding opportunities and preparing proposals.
Support additional tasks aligned with the mission of the Center for Child & Family Policy.