Clinical Research Manager

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous paid time off

Health/dental/vision/life insurance

Tax-advantaged savings accounts

WRS pension

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Clinical Research Manager for the School Mental Health Collaborative. The CRM will lead clinical research within SMHC, supervise staff, and manage budgets while ensuring IRB/FERPA compliance and high-quality program execution.

The role is primarily onsite at 1025 West Johnson Street, Madison, with limited remote work potential and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience coordinating clinical research trials involving human subjects.
• Experience supervising staff and providing professional development.
• Ability to compose and submit grant proposals and protocols.
• Knowledge of IRB standards and data privacy (HIPAA or FERPA).
• Experience developing and monitoring program budgets, including reviewing expenditures.
• Strong written and verbal communication for audits and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Direct the planning and implementation of clinical research protocols in K-12 settings.
• Identify and solicit internal and external research opportunities to grow SMHC’s impact.
• Develop and maintain internal policies and procedures for regulatory compliance.
• Prepare grant proposals and research protocols aligned with SMHC’s mission.
• Provide supervision for clinical research staff (≥2.0 FTE).
• Manage program budgets and monitor expenditures to support research goals.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and operational guidelines.
• Compile audits and ensure data documentation compliance.
• Analyze portfolios and advise leadership on program enhancements.
• Oversee staff performance, hiring, and disciplinary actions.

Skills

Clinical research management

Supervisory leadership

Grant proposals

IRB/FERPA knowledge

Budget management

Written and verbal communication

Education

Master's degree

Doctoral degree preferred

Education/psychology/social sciences emphasis

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Clinical Research Manager

Job Summary:

The School Mental Health Collaborative (SMHC), a research center within the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Education, is seeking a Clinical Research Manager. SMHC focuses on conducting research to inform policy and practice related to the promotion of social-emotional and behavioral success of children and families in school and community settings. The CRM works with faculty and staff to plan, develop, and direct clinical research within SMHC working under PI (Principal Investigator) supervision. Additionally, the CRM solicits clinical research opportunities, develops policies and procedures, and supervises clinical research staff.

This position is primarily onsite and requires a regular in-person presence at 1025 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI. Limited remote work flexibility may be available; however, the specific onsite/remote schedule will be determined during the interview process and based on operational requirements.

Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are carried out under the direction and supervision of a point of contact study investigator (e.g., Principal Investigator).

• Research Program Direction: Direct the planning and implementation of clinical research protocols within K-12 settings, ensuring high-quality execution of programs focused on student social-emotional and behavioral success.

• Strategic Growth & Advocacy: Identify and solicit new internal and external research opportunities to expand SMHC’s impact on policy and practice; promote center capabilities and recommend strategic program enhancements to leadership.

• Policy & Compliance Management: Develop and maintain internal policies and procedures to ensure all research activities and data documentation comply with University standards and federal regulations (e.g., IRB and FERPA).

• Collaborative Proposal Development: Compose, assemble, and submit grant proposals and research protocols that align with SMHC’s mission and secure sustainable funding.

• Supervisory Leadership: Provide comprehensive supervision for clinical research staff (minimum 2.0 FTE), including hiring, performance management, and professional development, to foster a highly effective and mission-driven team.

• Financial & Operational Oversight: Manage the overall functioning and fiscal health of clinical research programs by developing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring resources are optimized to meet research goals.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, and maintains clinical research policies, standard operating procedures, and operational guidelines

• Compiles audits and documents research data to ensure necessary compliance with institutional policies and procedures

• Analyzes research portfolios and accounts, solicits internal and external research opportunities, promotes unit capabilities, and makes recommendations to leadership for strategic program enhancements

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Composes, assembles, and submits grant proposals and protocols according to applicable rules and regulations

• Plans staff implementation of protocols and on-going quality review of one or multiple, basic or moderately complex clinical research trials or programs

• Develops and monitors the program budget; and reviews and approves expenditures

Department:

School of Education / Wisconsin Center for Education Research / School Mental Health Collaborative

Compensation:

Minimum: $95,000.00

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in the coordination and management of clinical research trials or programs involving human subjects.

• Experience exercising supervisory authority, including hiring, performance management, and professional development of staff.

• Proven ability to compose, assemble, and submit grant proposals and research protocols in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

• Knowledge of institutional policies and procedures related to clinical research, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards and data privacy (e.g., HIPAA or FERPA).

• Experience developing and monitoring program budgets, including reviewing and approving expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research data into clear documentation for audits and strategic recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing research within school and community settings or focused on student social-emotional and behavioral health.

• Experience working with families and youth within a community or medical context focused on mental and behavioral health.

• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team (e.g., faculty, project staff, and school administrators) to implement complex research protocols.

• Proficiency in high-level data auditing and the use of research management software to ensure data integrity and compliance.

• Familiarity with the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s administrative systems or similar large-scale research university environments.

Education:

Master's degree required, doctoral degree preferred

Preferred degree in education, psychology, social services, or a -related field such as Education, School Psychology, and Social Work.

Contact Information:

Becky Ohan

HR Manager

[e-mail]

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

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Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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