Senior Research Manager

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board•Portland, OR

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Manager (SRM) manages day-to-day research coordination for the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) program, which addresses overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain, and is housed within the Northwest Regional Research Center (NWRRC). The SRM is responsible for project tracking, award implementation, Tribal research support, training and event coordination, Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, data-quality support, grant reporting, and related research administration. The SRM serves as a central liaison among Principal Investigators (PIs), project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funders to support timely, compliant, culturally responsive, and successful project outcomes. Phase I of N CREW is funded through 2027. Phase II is projected following Phase I and NPAIHB will apply for Phase II funding. The N CREW Program is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, which is jointly managed by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The SRM must have advanced knowledge of research project and grant administration, protection of human subjects in research, Tribal research engagement, and data-governance principles. This position requires strong skills in project management, technical writing, research coordination, stakeholder communication, and independent problem-solving, including the ability to organize complex award activities and produce accurate, polished work under deadline. The SRM coordinates day-to-day activities of the N CREW Team within the NWRRC, which supports community-engaged research addressing overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain. The team includes approximately four (4) staff, investigators, and affiliated partners. The SRM reports to the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center. This scope of work is housed within the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center Division. This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon and is expected to work on-site in accordance with applicable workplace and telework policies, including attendance at designated in-person meetings and activities. Local travel and overnight travel outside of the area are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Behavioral Health, Social Sciences, Research Administration or a closely related field
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public health research, research administration, research project management, or a closely related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position
At least three (3) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics
At least two (2) years of experience managing or coordinating grant-funded programs
Demonstrated experience tracking research or project budgets
Demonstrated experience preparing written reports, grant reports, or other technical products
Advanced knowledge of research project management, grant administration, and federal award requirements, including requirements applicable to NIH-funded research
Advanced knowledge of Tribal Data Sovereignty, research confidentiality, data governance, and culturally responsive research practices
Working knowledge of human-subjects protections, Institutional Review Board processes, and Tribal research review requirements
Familiarity with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and other relevant legislation
Advanced proficiency with common workplace software programs (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint, as well as Adobe Acrobat)
Intermediate proficiency with project-management and grant-tracking platforms, including ClickUp or an equivalent system
Strong technical writing skills, including a strong command of spelling, grammar, and proofreading, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline
Strong research and analysis skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to work effectively across cultural contexts
Ability to exercise discretion, tact, and judgment
Ability to work effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals
Ability to facilitate participation and partnership across N CREW activities
Ability to make professional oral presentations in national, regional, community, and Tribal settings
Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
Ability to exercise initiative and make independent decisions and recommendations
Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
External applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period during which time their employment can be terminated at will. For the purpose of evaluating job performance, internal applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period when job duties change significantly.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Public Health, Behavioral Health, Social Sciences, Research Administration or a closely related field
Certified in Public Health (CPH) or equivalent professional certification
At least five (5) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics
Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
Experience planning, organizing, implementing, and tracking NIH awards
Experience coordinating IRB submissions, Tribal research review, and/or community-engaged research

Responsibilities

Advances NPAIHB’s N CREW research activities in alignment with priorities established by member Tribes, the Strategic Plan, and applicable Tribal, federal, state, organizational, and/or funding priorities
Acts as a central liaison for N CREW research activities among PIs, project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funding agencies to promote coordinated, timely, culturally responsive, and effective work
Leads proactive planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts to identify needs, address barriers, and advance desired outcomes
Monitors emerging needs, trends, risks, opportunities, and external developments affecting the N CREW program and communicates material information to appropriate staff and leadership
Manages day-to-day N CREW award implementation in accordance with the Notice of Award, approved work plans, timelines, budgets, research protocols, organizational policies, and applicable requirements
Leads collaboration and compliance among projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet applicable goals, requirements, and NPAIHB Strategic Plan objectives and priorities
Establishes and maintains internal grant and project tracking systems to monitor timelines, deliverables, Tribal requests, training and technical-assistance requests, interested Tribes, approvals, and required follow-up, including use of ClickUp or other project management software system
Applies proactive project-management practices to organize complex work, manage competing priorities, and meet project goals, deliverables, reporting deadlines, and fiscal requirements
Coordinates and participates in NPAIHB and national N CREW meetings, meetings with NIH, and other project discussions to organize activities, clarify responsibilities, resolve barriers, and maintain shared accountability
Coordinates cross-functional work, including dependencies, approvals, contributions, deadlines, and required follow-up
Tracks progress toward grant goals, objectives, milestones, budgets, and work plans, and collaborates with PIs to review evaluation findings, identify barriers, and support necessary adjustments
Coordinates and oversees Community Advisory Board meetings, including quarterly meetings, ongoing planning sessions, materials, logistics, and resulting follow-up actions
Manages and coordinates research-related trainings and events, including preparation of materials, participant communications, attendance tracking, and follow-up
Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, research protocols, organizational policies, professional standards, and other requirements governing N CREW activities
Coordinates IRB submissions, revisions, review feedback, continuing-review requirements, and other necessary actions for the Portland Area IRB and applicable Tribal IRBs or research review boards
Ensures adherence to applicable human-subjects protections and Institutional Review Board requirements for clinical research, surveillance, and/or evaluation
Conducts review of research documentation, project records, data processes, and work products for accuracy, quality, consistency, completeness, and compliance
Supports quality assurance, quality control, risk management, and continuous quality-improvement practices for the collection, tracking, management, and analysis of Tribal data that respond to the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and strengthen the quality and effectiveness of the N CREW program
Coordinates the identification, assessment, communication, and resolution of compliance risks, quality concerns, process gaps, and necessary corrective actions
Maintains appropriate data systems, protocols, documentation, confidentiality protections, and data-governance practices that uphold Tribal data sovereignty
Coordinates and supports research, data collection, evaluation, and other data-informed activities related to N CREW
Implements data-collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and quality-control processes in collaboration with PIs and other study-team members
Supports analysis and interpretation of findings and uses results to guide project implementation, service improvement, decision-making, and the development of Tribally based best practices
Prepares substantive reports, briefs, presentations, training materials, and other products that communicate research, evaluation, or project findings
Supports presentation and dissemination of project information and findings in Tribal, community, regional, and national settings
Strengthens relationships with NPAIHB member Tribes, Tribal health programs, the Indian Health Service, government agencies, funders, community partners, consultants, and other stakeholders
Represents the NPAIHB and its N CREW Project at meetings, conferences, events, committees, and workgroups
Facilitates stakeholder engagement activities to gather input, promote participation, strengthen collaboration, and build collective understanding
Implements capacity-building strategies based on the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and other applicable stakeholders
Provides training, instruction, educational facilitation, mentoring, presentations, resource sharing, and related learning or capacity-building activities for the NWRCC and Tribal Learner cohorts, including unique Tribal provider education within formal systems and Tribal training structures, as appropriate
Leads technical assistance and consultation to member Tribes, and/or the N CREW network for the NWRRC
Supports communication and collaboration across NPAIHB to reduce information silos and engage multidisciplinary teams in providing training and technical assistance that advances culturally appropriate prevention, treatment, and other Tribal health strategies
Supports PIs and other project leaders in preparing grant reports, continuation materials, future grant applications, and related funding documents
Coordinates contributions, documentation, approvals, timelines, and required follow-up for funding-agency submissions
Supports tracking of research budgets, expenditures, fiscal requirements, and related documentation in coordination with PIs and appropriate fiscal and grants staff
Manages assigned budgets in collaboration with Finance staff
Supports review of financial information and identifies actual or anticipated variances, risks, and necessary actions
Assists with monitoring expenditures and financial information to identify variances, maintain alignment with approved budgets, and comply with applicable organizational and funding requirements
Maintains complete, accurate, and well-organized N CREW files and supporting records in compliance with NPAIHB and applicable external requirements, including securely archiving records as appropriate
Maintains calendars, project-management systems, tracking spreadsheets, databases, and other tools with current information regarding activities, deliverables, deadlines, requirements, approvals, and required follow-up
Tracks monthly activity reports to ensure grant activities are documented and available for semiannual reporting and recurring meetings with NIH
Provides timely updates regarding assigned activities, deadlines, risks, barriers, and required actions to relevant staff and leadership
Coordinates and prepares internal, project, funding agency, and other reports and materials as needed
Documents significant activities, decisions, approvals, communications, and follow-up actions as required
Submits an electronic Monthly Activity Report (eMAR) to the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center at the end of each month and completes other assigned administrative reporting activities as needed
Supports special research, evaluation, or related projects as assigned
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, PIs, and/or Executive Director or designee