AI & Bio Research Operations Lead

RAND; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND CAST is seeking an Operations Manager to support the CAST Center's people operations and manage the CAST Operations team. This high-ownership role blends hands-on execution with people leadership and project management to enable research teams to perform at their best.

You will connect across RAND to shape the employee experience, manage deployments, and drive improvements in operations; the position is full-time and hybrid with a 3-year term and renewal options.

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams of at least 2-3 people.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple time-sensitive processes.
• Experience navigating complex institutional structures and cross-functional partnerships.
• Exceptionally clear and diplomatic communicator who maintains professionalism in all workplace interactions.
• Ability to maintain composure and sound judgment under competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage center people support processes for new hires and exits with a high-quality experience.
• Manage fellows, IPAs, and other deployments.
• Lead project management for internal team and RAND reviews.
• Provide high-level PM on cross-center initiatives.
• Oversee the management of at least one satellite office.
• Lead junior operations staff; mentorship and daily guidance.
• Identify and implement process improvements.
• Partner on sensitive matters with discretion.
• Support finance, procurement, events, communications, and coordination.
• Build relationships across teams and partners.
• Take on evolving responsibilities.

Skills

Team management

Organizational skills

Cross-functional partnerships

Communication

Working under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

PMP certification substitute

Job description

RAND CAST is seeking an Operations Manager to support the CAST Center's people operations and manage the CAST Operations team. This high-ownership role blends hands-on execution with people leadership and project management to enable research teams to perform at their best.

You will connect across RAND to shape the employee experience, manage deployments, and drive improvements in operations; the position is full-time and hybrid with a 3-year term and renewal options.