AI/Bio Research Project Manager, Operations

RAND Corporation; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time-off

Job summary

RAND Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager for its CAST center to support operations, enable research teams, and shape the working experience. This high-ownership role requires coordinating across functions and delivering timely, impactful results within a fast-paced environment.

The role emphasizes collaboration with leadership and diverse stakeholders, managing multiple priorities, and ensuring reliable, scalable operations in a leading AI/biotech policy context.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years of experience in project management or operations.
• Experience in procurement management, finance support, and events management.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills; able to multitask and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations leadership on center-wide initiatives.
• Develop, refine and execute center-wide processes.
• Own and manage time-sensitive processes across procurement, systems, finance and events.
• Support the ops team to deliver top priorities within tight timelines.

Skills

Project management

Operations

Procurement management

Finance support

Events management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

PMP Certification acceptable substitute

Job description

Job Type

Term (Fixed Term)

About RAND

RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution founded in 1948 to advise the U.S. government on matters of national security. For over 75 years, RAND has been a trusted source of objective, rigorous analysis for policymakers across administrations and agencies.

About CAST

CAST is an 80+ person center at the forefront of transformative AI and biotechnology policy and their implications for global competition and security. Our teams work on verification frameworks for international agreements on AI, creating AI data centers that are secure, unlocking energy for AI production, developing models for public-private partnerships between frontier labs and government, and conducting AIxBio evaluations and mitigations, among other initiatives.

Position Description

RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) is seeking an Operations Manager to support the Center's operations. This is a high-ownership role on a fast-moving team supporting one of RAND's highest-priority research centers.

In this position, you will play a vital connective role across the organization. You'll be an integral part of our operations team, enable our research teams to do their best work, and shape the experience of working at RAND CAST.

Responsibilities

• Close partnership with operations leadership on center-wide operations initiatives
• The development, refinement and execution of center-wide processes
• Ongoing ownership and management of time-sensitive processes across functional areas, including the management of procurement, systems and office operations, finance, and events
• Handling of diverse tasks directly supporting the ops team delivering on top priorities for the center within tight timelines

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years of experience in project management or operations.(A Master's degree in business administration, public policy, political science, or similar discipline may count for 2 years of experience)
• Experience in project management or operations in areas such as procurement management, finance support, and events management.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize independently, and perform under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player who demonstrates tact, courtesy, and professionalism at all levels of an organization.
• Operational management capabilities and strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with large and diverse teams including both junior and senior members.
• Exceptional reliability and attention to detail in demanding environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver solutions quickly and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational structures.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience supporting organizations during rapid growth
• Experience in government, think tanks, or industry-leading organizations
• Experience with research on AI, biology, or information security

Education Requirements

Minimum requirement of a Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred. A Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification can substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

4 years minimum experience.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred but not required.

Location

Washington, DC (preferred); Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA RAND offices. Opporunity for hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on-site options in these locations.

Term

This position is a 3-year term appointment with a possibility of renewal, alongside options for longer term employment. We are seeking full-time candidates.

Salary Range

ResearchProject Manager I $75,700-$124,600

Research Project Manager II $88,000-$145,200

ResearchProject ManagerIII $102,800 - $174,40

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer