Manager - Cooperative Research Program Quality, Compliance, and Training

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 101,130 - 158,015; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Disability and life insurance

Retirement and leave benefits

Transportation subsidies

Education assistance

Job summary

The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is seeking a candidate to manage contractor compliance, oversee program operations, and provide training within a hybrid work setting based in Pasadena, California.

This role includes responsibilities such as ensuring adherence to contracts, developing training programs, and conducting stakeholder outreach while mentoring staff. A Master’s degree and substantial experience are required.

Qualifications

• Six years of related professional experience, two in a supervisory capacity.

Responsibilities

• Manage contractor compliance and relations with various stakeholders.
• Lead training and development for staff and partners.
• Partner with leadership to improve program efficiencies.

Skills

Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

Strong facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Judgment and analytical thinking

Project management skills

Team-building skills

Education

Master’s degree in business administration, law, finance or related discipline

Job description

Job Summary

NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION

Centralized resource responsible for managing contractor compliance, subaward oversight, relationship management, and training across CRP programs. Works closely with program directors, managers, technical project managers, financial partners, and external stakeholders to monitor contracting activities, ensure regulatory and institutional compliance, and promote operational consistency and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Contractor Compliance and Relationship Management
  • Collaborate with the Office of Contracts and Grants (OGC) to manage contracts and subawards.
  • Monitor sub‑awards for compliance and authorized use; review financial and performance reports.
  • Track contracts through initiation to closeout; report infractions and assess risks.
  • Contribute to drafting, negotiating, and executing contracts and other agreements.
  • Serve as point of contact for contractors, partners, and staff to address contractual issues.
  • Maintain records of contracts and legal agreements with a focus on ongoing compliance.
  • Develop risk‑management strategies for contractor underperformance.
  • Design control systems to document and address policy violations.
  • Ensure CRP activities align with institutional policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
  • Provide support to contractors on compliance requirements and deliver a consistent contractor experience.
  • Build collaborative partnerships with technical project managers, Procurement Services, and Subaward Administration.
• Training Development and Delivery
  • Lead development and delivery of training and orientation programs for research proposal submitters, contractors, and sub‑awardees.
  • Design and implement ongoing training for technical project managers and external CRP participants.
  • Develop guidance materials, toolkits, instructional resources, and process documentation.
  • Engage external vendors to design, enhance, and deliver training in multiple formats (in‑person, virtual, on‑demand).
  • Evaluate training effectiveness using feedback, performance indicators, and compliance trends; implement improvements.
  • Collaborate internally to identify knowledge gaps and mitigate compliance risks through targeted training.
• Program and Process Improvement
  • Gather feedback to identify operational challenges and improvement opportunities.
  • Partner with contractors and program leadership to enhance programmatic and procedural efficiency.
  • Analyze compliance trends, audit findings, and contractor performance data for improvement recommendations.
  • Create, modify, and implement procedural guidance and manuals for consistency and scalability.
  • Advise senior leadership on risks, mitigation strategies, policy development, and operational improvements.
• Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement
  • Develop a process‑driven approach to outreach with research partners and stakeholders.
  • Identify partnership opportunities through collaboration with TRB divisions and National Academies units.
  • Align internal goals with partnership relationships.
  • Participate in meetings, conferences, webinars, and other events to cultivate strong relationships.
• Staff Management
  • Manage assigned staff; ensure training and development plans.
  • Mentor staff, initiate personnel actions, and conduct performance reviews.
  • Interpret and apply organizational policies consistently.
• Confidentiality
  • Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
  • Ensure secure storage, transmission, and disposal of confidential information.
  • Provide training on best practices for handling confidential information.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and OMB Circulars.
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and complex problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex requirements to diverse audiences.
• Judgment, analytical thinking, and independent project management.
• Leadership, training, staff development, and team‑building skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements

Master’s degree in business administration, law, finance, or related discipline, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience

Six years of related professional experience, two of which in a supervisory capacity.

Licenses, Certification or Registration

None.

Other Information

Work Environment

Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite work 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies facilities and off‑site locations.

Compensation & Benefits

Estimated range: $101,130–$158,015, based on experience and budget. Benefits‑eligible position with comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. See the organization’s benefits plan for details.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The National Academies is an equal opportunity employer. All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics, and accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Disclaimer

This description reflects the general nature and level of work performed. It is not exhaustive and may be modified as the position’s responsibilities evolve.