Associate Project Leader

The Emmes Company, LLC; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Emmes Group in Rockville, MD seeks an Associate Project Leader to drive government research projects, coordinating across Clinical Ops, Biostatistics, and other departments. You will shape project plans, timelines, and budgets while ensuring compliance and quality.

In this role you will mentor staff, manage deliverables, and serve as the client contact, advancing strategic goals and fostering collaboration with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a scientific field; required or with preference for advanced degrees.
• Experience in project management within a research environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities; strong problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day execution of government research projects with cross‑functional collaboration.
• Set priorities, maintain timelines, and ensure quality processes are followed.
• Act as primary client/stakeholder contact and address ongoing client needs.
• Develop and approve project plans, budgets, and statements of work as needed.
• Mentor staff and promote integrity, collaboration, and innovation across teams.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Client coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a Scientific field

Master's Degree in a Scientific field

PhD in a Scientific field

Job description

Associate Project Leader Be Part of One Team, One Purpose. At Emmes Group, we're shaping the future of clinical research-where human intelligence meets cutting-edge technology to drive meaningful advancements in healthcare. With over 47 years of scientific excellence, we've led groundbreaking research in cell and gene therapy, vaccines, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, rare diseases, and neuroscience. Through our two business units-Emmes, a full-service CRO, and Veridix AI, our technology, data, and analytical solutions -we are modernizing clinical trials and accelerating the development of life-changing therapies. We believe that every clinical breakthrough starts with people-people who are passionate, purpose-driven, and ready to make an impact. At Emmes Group, we bring People, Science, and Technology together to collaborate with our customers and deliver global health impact. Our culture is built on integrity, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring that every challenge is met with perseverance and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for day-to-day execution of government research projects through collaboration with assigned projects' Emmes' project PI/Coordinating Center leader(s) and staff from other departments, including but not limited to Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Data Systems, Program Management, IT, Web Development, Finance, Contracts, Regulatory and Pharmacovigilance.
• Sets priorities for the project team, ensures quality processes are followed, and collaboratively establishes and maintains deliverable timelines.
• May provide performance related feedback to department managers for project staff.
• Serves as the client's, investigators' and other stakeholders' primary point of contact for the project and/or assigned protocols.
• Proactively addresses client's needs for ongoing studies/activities and engages with clients regarding new opportunities.
• Develops, reviews, and approves project plans, study documents, and processes/SOPs, as needed.
• Utilizes broad understanding of therapeutic, clinical trial design, and/or process expertise to influence and execute project decisions considering client needs, budget, scope, and the current state of the research field.
• With input from team members, defines solutions that meet client's needs within project-defined scope.
• Defines and approves approach or solutions to project requirements, risks and issues.
• Communicates risks and contingencies to Emmes' project PI/Coordinating Center leaders, client, and/or internal Government Delivery oversight, as appropriate.
• May contribute to developing, maintaining, and acquiring approval of budgets and statement of work documents and subsequent modifications prior to distribution to clients, as well as approvals for invoices and subagreements.
• Liaises with Emmes' project PI/Coordinating Center leaders, corporate leaders and other Emmes departments to ensure staff resources are continuously informed, trained and efficiently utilized within the project team to successfully execute the project scope.
• May provide input or participate in Corporate meetings (e.g., project reviews), central status reporting and information solicitations with Executive leaders, as applicable.
• Uses key performance metrics to successfully execute the project scope.
• Mentors project staff and supports staff development.
• Models Emmes culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and perseverance across internal and external teams .
• Aids in continuous corporate knowledge expansion by participating in relevant (internal and external) meetings/trainings to provide information learned and best practices to project teams, functional/service groups, and corporate entities as applicable.
• Promotes and implements relevant corporate initiatives as directed.
• Leads or contributes to the development of operational strategy, budget, and proposal content for new business opportunities, as assigned.
• Represents Emmes at proposal, business development meetings, conferences, or other meetings, as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Scientific field, example psychology, public health, sociology, chemistry, pharmacology. Required or
• Master's Degree Scientific field, example psychology, public health, sociology, chemistry, pharmacology. Preferred or
• PhD Scientific field, example psychology, public health, sociology, chemistry, pharmacology. Preferred
• 4-6 years Bachelor's and 6 years of empirical knowledge of the key accountabilities/duties/responsibilities for the position with a typical tenure of at least 1 year project management experience in a research environment. Required or
• 4-6 years Master's and 4 years of empirical knowledge of the key accountabilities/duties/responsibilities for the position with a typical tenure of at least 1 year project management experience in a research environment. Preferred or
• 1-3 years PhD and 1 year of empirical knowledge of the key accountabilities/duties/responsibilities for the position with a typical tenure of at least 1 year project management experience in a research environment. Preferred
• Project Delivery Track Record: Demonstratable track record of successfully delivering complex/high-priority clinical trials or clinical research projects within the agreed time, quality, and budget. Experience in federally-funded research is preferred. High
• Clinical Research Knowledge: Demonstrated working knowledge of the principles of clinical research management and operations. High
• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated strong problem-solving and analytical skills, combined with sound business and ethical judgment. High
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client, team, and scientific interactions. High
• Leadership & Teamwork: Ability to work proactively and effectively, with creative problem-solving and collaboration skills. Highly motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to mentor and support project staff.
• Project Management: Strong cross-functional project management and time management skills.
• Therapeutic Expertise (Preferred): Broad understanding of a therapeutic area, clinical trial design, and/or process expertise to influence and execute project decisions.

If you're looking for a career where your work advances global health and where scientific excellence meets real-world impact, join us and be part of something bigger. One Team, One Purpose.

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Visit our website:https://www.theemmesgroup.com/