Clinical Research Program Manager

CHDI Management; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CHDI Management, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey, is seeking a Clinical Research Program Manager (CPM) to lead vendor management and study execution in a hybrid environment with occasional travel.

You will coordinate with study teams, directors, and partner organizations to ensure timelines and budgets are met. The role requires a life sciences or related degree, extensive clinical research project management experience, GCP/ICH knowledge, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, project management/business, or related field
• Experience in pharmaceutical industry/biotech/CRO/academic experience in clinical research project/trial management including budgeting, contracting and study execution
• Demonstrated experience in managing vendors and eTMF systems, including RFP processes and contract negotiations
• Knowledge of, and experience applying GCP and ICH Guidelines, including detailed knowledge of clinical document management
• Proactive, creative problem-solving skills and be open to innovative solutions
• High attention to detail and care about the quality of their work
• Proficiency and willingness to expand/improve their skills in the following Microsoft applications: Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a distributed, interdisciplinary, team-oriented environment
• Excellent communication skills (including ability to write clearly and concisely), with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external collaborators
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly detailed-oriented environment
• Willingness to travel as needed to visit study sites and attend meetings or training sessions

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end vendor management, including selection, onboarding, contract negotiation, renewals, and termination.
• Oversee CROs and service providers to ensure alignment with project objectives, quality standards, timelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets; track invoices, address variances, and identify cost-efficiency opportunities.
• Monitor vendor performance against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); lead performance reviews and corrective action plans.
• Identify and mitigate vendor-related risks and manage scope changes and escalations in collaboration with Clinical Operations, Science, Legal, and Finance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between vendors and internal teams; provide regular status, financial, and risk updates to leadership.
• Continuously improve vendor management processes and strengthen strategic vendor partnerships.
• Manage key aspects of assigned clinical studies and related process improvement initiatives.
• Develop and/or oversee essential study documentation, including protocols, case report forms, standard operating procedures, monitoring plans, and communication tools.
• Coordinate with internal teams, institutional review boards, study sites, and external partners across academia, industry, government, and non-profits.
• Proactively identify risks and issues, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure clear communication across project teams.
• Track, analyze, and report study progress to project teams and management.
• Support site management activities and address operational needs to ensure successful study execution.

Skills

Vendor management

Clinical study management

GCP & ICH knowledge

Communication skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in life sciences or related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

eTMF systems

CTMS

ePRO

EDC

RFP processes

Job description

Job Title

Clinical Research Program Manager (CPM)

Job Location

The position will be based in Princeton, N.J. (currently hybrid) with occasional travel. Must be local to Princeton, 2-3 days per week onsite.

Job Reports To

Clinical Operations Lead

Salary Range

$80,000 - $120,000. Exact compensation will vary based on experience.

Other

Vaccination against COVID-19 is a prerequisite for employment at CHDI Management.

About CHDI Foundation, Inc.

CHDI Foundation, Inc. is a privately funded nonprofit biomedical research organization exclusively dedicated to collaboratively developing therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington's disease (HD). Our scientists work closely with a network of more than 700 researchers in academic and industrial laboratories around the world in the pursuit of these novel therapies, providing strategic scientific direction to ensure that our common goals remain in focus. This helps bridge the translational gap that often exists between academic and industrial research pursuits and that adds costly delays to therapy development. In its role as a collaborative enabler, CHDI seeks to bring the right partners together to identify and address critical scientific issues and move drug candidates to clinical evaluation as rapidly as possible. Our activities extend from exploratory biology to the identification and validation of therapeutic targets, and from drug discovery and development to clinical studies and trials. More information about CHDI can be found at www.chdifoundation.org.

Job Responsibilities

A Clinical Research Program Manager will be expected to work closely with study teams, Directors and others within CHDI in the following areas:

Vendor management

• Lead end-to-end vendor management, including selection, onboarding, contract negotiation, renewals, and termination.
• Oversee CROs and service providers to ensure alignment with project objectives, quality standards, timelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets; track invoices, address variances, and identify cost-efficiency opportunities.
• Monitor vendor performance against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); lead performance reviews and corrective action plans.
• Identify and mitigate vendor-related risks and manage scope changes and escalations in collaboration with Clinical Operations, Science, Legal, and Finance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between vendors and internal teams; provide regular status, financial, and risk updates to leadership.
• Continuously improve vendor management processes and strengthen strategic vendor partnerships.

Clinical study management

• Manage key aspects of assigned clinical studies and related process improvement initiatives.
• Develop and/or oversee essential study documentation, including protocols, case report forms, standard operating procedures, monitoring plans, and communication tools.
• Coordinate with internal teams, institutional review boards, study sites, and external partners across academia, industry, government, and non-profits.
• Proactively identify risks and issues, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure clear communication across project teams.
• Track, analyze, and report study progress to project teams and management.
• Support site management activities and address operational needs to ensure successful study execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, project management/business, or related field
• Experience in pharmaceutical industry/biotech/CRO/academic experience in clinical research project/trial management including budgeting, contracting and study execution
• Demonstrated experience in managing vendors and eTMF systems, including RFP processes and contract negotiations
• Knowledge of, and experience applying GCP and ICH Guidelines, including detailed knowledge of clinical document management
• Proactive, creative problem-solving skills and be open to innovative solutions
• High attention to detail and care about the quality of their work
• Proficiency and willingness to expand/improve their skills in the following Microsoft applications: Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a distributed, interdisciplinary, team-oriented environment
• Excellent communication skills (including ability to write clearly and concisely), with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external collaborators
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly detailed-oriented environment
• Willingness to travel as needed to visit study sites and attend meetings or training sessions

Additional Skills

• Advanced skills using Excel to develop tracking and budget/invoicing spreadsheets
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to clinical trials and vendor management experience in managing other SaaS vendors (CTMS, ePRO, EDC, etc.)
• Experience in a global clinical research environment
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Clinical Research (ACRP/SoCRA) is a plus
• Proficiency in MS Project and other project management tools and software
• Experience with regulatory document management
• Experience working on CNS clinical research or drug development
• Experience negotiating vendor agreements

About CHDI Foundation, Inc.

CHDI Foundation is a private nonprofit biomedical research organization exclusively dedicated to collaboratively developing therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington's disease (HD).

About CHDI Management, Inc.

Our staff works for CHDI Management, Inc., which was established in 2002 to provide administrative and management services to CHDI Foundation, Inc.

About our Donors

CHDI's activities focus solely on the collaborative development of therapeutics that will substantially improve the lives of those affected by Huntington's disease. We are indebted to our donors, whose generosity and guidance have made possible this exclusive focus on science.