AI/Bio Research Project Manager, Operations (Term)

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

Job summary

RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology (CAST) seeks an Operations Manager to spearhead people operations and CAST Operations team management. The role blends hands-on execution with people leadership and project management, supporting one of RAND's priority research centers.

You will connect across the organization, enable researchers, and help craft an environment where teams thrive. Hybrid work in multiple locations is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams of at least 2-3 people.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple time-sensitive processes.
• Experience navigating complex institutional structures and cross-functional partnerships.
• Clear, diplomatic communicator with professionalism under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage Center people support processes for new hires and exits.
• Oversee deployments of fellows and IPAs.
• Lead project management for internal teams and RAND performance reviews.
• Provide high-level project management on cross-center initiatives.
• Oversee at least one satellite office and related operations.

Skills

Team management

Project coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Diplomatic communication

Discretion under deadlines

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

PMP Certification may substitute

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'sdegree preferred. A Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification can substitute for aBachelor’sdegree.

Experience

8 years minimum experience; 10 years preferred.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain andmaintainaU.S. governmentclearance is preferred but notrequired.

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;orBoston, 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

$102,800 - $174,400 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

RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.