AI/Bio Research Project Manager, Operations (Term)

rand; Washington; Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND CAST is seeking an Operations Manager to support the Center's people operations and manage the CAST Operations team. This high-ownership role sits within RAND's top-priority research center and blends hands-on operational execution with people leadership.

The role connects across the organization to enable research teams, shape the working experience, and manage projects and satellite offices in a fast-moving environment. This is a 3-year term appointment with full-time eligibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years experience; 10 years preferred.
• Bachelor's degree; PMP can substitute.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. government clearance preferred but not required.
• Experience managing teams of 2–3 people.

Responsibilities

• Manage center people support processes for hires/exits.
• Lead project management for internal teams and reviews.
• Oversee satellite office operations.
• Mentor junior operations staff and improve processes.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across RAND.

Skills

Team management

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP preferred

Job description

Job Type: Term (Fixed Term)

RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST)

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 people operations and management of the CAST Operations team. 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. This role blends hands‑on operational execution with people‑leadership and project‑management responsibilities.

If you are someone who takes pride in making complex systems feel effortless, loves building environments where people thrive, and finds deep satisfaction in high impact work, this role is designed for you.

Responsibilities

• People & Research Operations: 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

Operations Management

• Serve as team lead for junior operations staff, providing mentorship, prioritization support, and day‑to‑day guidance
• Identify and implement improvements to operational processes and systems
• Partner with the Senior Operations Leads on sensitive and confidential matters, exercising strong discretion and judgment
• Provide operations support across finance, procurement, events, communications, and cross‑functional coordination
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across research teams, central RAND functions, and external partners
• Take on additional responsibilities as the Center's needs evolve

Qualifications

• Required: Experience managing teams of at least 2-3 people.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple time-sensitive processes simultaneously.
• 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.

• Preferred: Background in AI security, national security, or biosecurity.
• Self‑directed and proactive in identifying process improvements.

Education Requirements

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

Experience

8 years minimum experience; 10 years preferred.

Security Clearance

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

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.

Location

Washington, DC (preferred); Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA. Hybrid work arrangement, combining work from home and on‑site options in these locations.

Salary Range: $102,800 - $174,400

Research Project Manager III

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