Lead Project Manager, AI-Driven Research Operations

Shapiro+Raj; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Shapiro+Raj in Chicago seeks a Project Manager to oversee operational and financial execution of customized research projects, both AI-based and traditional. You will work closely with research, operations, vendors, and clients to keep studies on time, on budget, and well-coordinated, ensuring high-quality deliverables.

The role requires strong execution, financial diligence, and the ability to manage complex workflows with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Strong executional reliability and ownership.
• Financial diligence and project-tracking discipline.
• Judgment to adapt processes for unique projects.
• Ability to leverage AI/automation to improve work.
• Effective vendor and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Run projects against objectives, keeping team aligned on status.
• Lead setup, scheduling, vendor coordination, and workflow management.
• Define engagement plans with clear milestones and decisions.
• Act as day-to-day client contact with proactive status updates.
• Manage recruitment, fieldwork logistics, and data quality.
• Monitor budget, commitments, and costs; flag variances early.
• Coordinate among research, operations, vendors, and clients.
• Maintain accuracy across trackers and shared files.
• Apply approved AI tools to reduce admin work and surface risks.
• Close projects and capture lessons learned.

Skills

Execution reliability

Budget tracking

AI-enabled workflows

Vendor coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Shapiro+Raj in Chicago seeks a Project Manager to oversee operational and financial execution of customized research projects, both AI-based and traditional. You will work closely with research, operations, vendors, and clients to keep studies on time, on budget, and well-coordinated, ensuring high-quality deliverables.

The role requires strong execution, financial diligence, and the ability to manage complex workflows with minimal supervision.