MPEC Research Operations Manager

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Drawing on extensive professional experience and a broad understanding of organizational development, the Research Operations Manager leads development and implementation of strategy to advance the mission of the Medical Practice Evaluation Center (MPEC), an internationally recognized clinical and modeling research group composed of 16 faculty members and approximately 60 staff, supported by an annual grant portfolio of ~$18 million. Primary responsibilities include strategic planning and implementation for organizational design and operations; recruitment, supervision, and mentorship of operations and research staff; communications and fundraising; and operational improvements including space, equipment, and materials. Reporting directly to the MPEC Director(s) and working collaboratively with the Research Finance Manager, the Research Operations Manager leads development and execution of a broad, forward-facing strategic plan for MPEC that will ensure the sustainability of outstanding performance in support of MPEC’s research and training mission.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Required
Minimum of 5 years of research administration experience in an academic or non-profit research environment
Experience in strategic development and implementation
Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Proficiency in office software and administrative technologies.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
Experience in managing and mentoring a team.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Management, Business, or related field preferred
Expertise in clinical research oversight and procedures preferred
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar credential preferred
Experience with foundation and philanthropic funding preferred
Experience with communications and development activities preferred

Responsibilities

Develops and executes an engagement strategy to attract new funding sources, with emphasis on philanthropic and foundation partners
Implements the strategic plan through coordinated outreach, engagement, and communications initiatives
Leads marketing and public relations efforts to promote MPEC research, training opportunities, and outcomes
Oversees dissemination of research findings and training offerings to internal and external audiences.
Strengthens visibility and positioning of MPEC locally, nationally, and globally
Builds and sustains collaborative relationships across MPEC pillars, MGB DOM Divisions, other MGB Departments, and external institutions
Identifies strategic priorities and develops a comprehensive strategic plan that increases synergy between MPEC pillars
Collaborates with the Research Finance Manager to expand and sustain federal, foundation, and philanthropic support
Develops and implements a comprehensive strategy for MPEC operational growth
Provides strategic oversight and direction for recruiting, training, mentorship, and professional development for research staff, with operational execution led by employees’ direct supervisor.
Develops and oversees an MPEC communications strategy
With MPEC leadership and faculty, develop a plan to enhance and actively maintain communication of scientific outputs to both public and scientific partners
Work with MPEC staff and faculty acting to promote and disseminate research findings, methods, and training opportunities to highlight and elevate the achievements of the group
Working with MPEC leadership, the Research Finance Manager, and faculty, leverage a range of innovative platforms such as social media and online tools to engage partners, potential collaborators and funders, and the public at large in the outputs, projects, and directions of MPEC
Applies a robust understanding of the processes involved in the overall research efforts. This includes clinical research, transactional research, implementation science, health services/outcomes research, economic analysis, and global health, both domestic and international, to address the needs of the individual researchers and the research staff within MPEC
Builds and maintains operational infrastructure for community-engaged partnerships including coordination and institutional administrative processes to support MPEC investigators
Develops resources and guidance to strengthen community partner administrative capacity (e.g., reporting expectations, research administration workflows) and reduce barriers to participation
Assists in establishing Center-wide best practices for community-engaged and multisite partnerships
Creates, improves, and sustains best practices to drive continuous research improvement efforts including deploying needs assessments to identify MPEC priorities and conducting exit interviews
With MPEC Director(s), leads monthly Center-wide meetings
Attends and participates in monthly MPEC faculty and all-MPEC-wide meetings
Meets weekly with the MPEC Director(s) and the Research Finance Manager
Serves as a source of expertise for human resource issues
Remains up to date on personnel-related issues such as benefits, parental leave, FMLA, UKG, Workday, labor standards, etc., and collaborate in the development and implementations MPEC policies to ensure compliance and wellbeing of staff
Partners with the MGB HR Business Partner for Reductions in Force (full or partial) and Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) if needed
Engages personnel (alone or with PI/supervisor) and provides necessary resources and support in: RIF/out-counseling conversations, PIP counseling
Ensures annual compliance for supervisory organization staff
Confirms annual staff training requirements are met (HealthStream, Advarra, etc.)
Directs or completes all supervisory organization staff performance reviews
Collects and organizes input, prepare draft review
Ensures timely submission to HR by processing Workday evaluation tasks
Provides coaching on annual goal development
Submits pay changes (merit, adjustment, promotion)
Completes Workday task approvals for supervisory organization
Supervises the Staff Manager, and through this role, oversees recruiting, staffing, performance management, and professional development for all MPEC staff.
Evaluates staffing needs and, with faculty and MPEC leadership, sets recruiting priorities and timelines to ensure appropriate staffing levels for both faculty/professional roles and staff positions, with recruiting operations executed by the Staff Manager
Establishes frameworks and expectations for staff professional and retention strategies to ensure optimal employee engagement and productivity, implemented in partnership with the Staff Manager
Develops and approves Center-wide HR policies and SOPs to support an optimized workplace (workplace attendance, authorship, etc.)
Supervises the Research Office Manager:
Maintains research equipment inventory for MPEC and facilitates interactions with IS Help Desk to procure service or troubleshooting for computing equipment
Leads procurement and reimbursements activities, ensuring fiscally prudent use of research funding, and troubleshooting procurement of specialty items for research needs
Coordinates activities with research trainees, including scheduling and onboarding, appointments on institutional training grants, billing agreements with partner institutions, and other logistical considerations
Oversees research space inventory, monitors research space density, completes routine space asset certifications, assigns space/seats, forecasts and strategizes about future space needs, and works with organizational leadership to advocate for and identify appropriate space for Center efforts
Partners with DOM Division administrators to coordinate MPEC, interdivisional, and inter-Departmental seating adjustments
Oversees identification and fulfillment of technology and tech support needs