AI & Bio Research Operations Lead (Hybrid)

RAND Corporation; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Sabbatical pay

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

RAND Corporation's CAST is seeking an Operations Manager to support the CAST Operations team and center-wide people operations in a fast-moving environment. This full-time role blends hands-on process execution with leadership and project management, coordinating hires, fellowships, and cross-center initiatives to enable our research teams to work at their best.

The position offers hybrid work across multiple U.S.

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams of 2–3 people.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience navigating complex institutional structures and cross-functional partnerships.
• Clear and diplomatic communicator who maintains professionalism.
• Ability to maintain composure under competing deadlines.
• Background in AI security, national security, or biosecurity is preferred.
• Self-directed and proactive in identifying process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage Center people support processes ensuring all new hires and exiting team members have a seamless, high-quality experience.
• Manage team members on fellowships, IPAs, and other deployments.
• Lead project management for internal team and RAND performance review cycles.
• Provide exceptional high-level project management on cross-center initiatives.
• Oversee the management of at least one satellite office.
• Serve as team lead for junior operations staff, providing mentorship and day-to-day guidance.
• Identify and implement improvements to operational processes and systems.
• Partner with the Senior Operations Leads on sensitive matters with discretion and judgment.
• Provide operations support across finance, procurement, events, communications, and cross-functional coordination.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across research teams and RAND functions.
• Take on additional responsibilities as the Center's needs evolve.

Skills

Team management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Discretion & judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP Certification

Job description

RAND Corporation's CAST is seeking an Operations Manager to support the CAST Operations team and center-wide people operations in a fast-moving environment. This full-time role blends hands-on process execution with leadership and project management, coordinating hires, fellowships, and cross-center initiatives to enable our research teams to work at their best.

The position offers hybrid work across multiple U.S.