Research Program Manager, Reality Labs Business Operations

Meta; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Research Program Manager to enhance the effectiveness of global research initiatives. This role involves defining strategic initiatives, managing relationships with stakeholders, and optimizing team operations to drive impactful research outcomes. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Join a forward-thinking company that is shaping the future of technology through immersive experiences and collaborative research efforts. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in project or program management.
• Experience in building relationships with stakeholders across teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage strategic initiatives to improve team efficiency.
• Partner with stakeholders to optimize internal processes and documentation.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Data Analysis

Time Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Job description

Research Program Manager, Reality Labs Business Operations

Reality Labs is a team at Meta that is responsible for developing and building the next computing platform centered around people. Research Program Managers build and scale global research programs to strengthen the impact of our research teams. In this role, you will work in conjunction with the existing Reality Labs Research Operations team and the larger Global Research Organization team to identify overlaps and synergies between research programs and practices across RL UXR pillars, enabling increased research effectiveness. You'll utilize a full range of organizational skills and a track record of communicating with clients and customers to help our team operate at their highest and most effective level.

Responsibilities

1. Define and manage strategic initiatives that improve team efficiency and impact, establishing operational systems and outcomes.
2. Proactively identify and partner with stakeholders on internal processes, templates, and guidelines to improve team optimization and documentation.
3. Partner with team leadership on establishing effective knowledge management, team communication, information distribution, and cross-team collaboration.
4. Partner with cross-functional teams such as Sourcing and Vendor Engagements to enable and implement customized Reality Labs User Experience Research procurement processes.
5. Manage relationships with a select group of preferred vendors, building the business-specific operations and processes needed to stand up the engagement and streamline intake.
6. Support research planning and allocation by helping track, align and advise on contracting processes.
7. Proactively manage expectations: define clear program roadmaps, provide frequent program updates, identify and communicate risks and adjustments, and ensure commitments are delivered.
8. Support research execution by driving operational enhancements and identifying research process overlaps and synergies across RL UXR pillars.
9. Manage relationships with cross-functional partners, such as Design, Legal, and Procurement/Sourcing.
10. Provide approaches that meet team needs, including moving fast and making progress or navigating obstacles efficiently.
11. Serve as a link to the Global Research Operations team, leveraging new processes or best practices when relevant and collaborating on programs specific to the team’s needs.
12. Facilitate relationships between teams and move initiatives forward.
13. Escalate and raise concerns to appropriate owners early and resolve open issues that prevent progress.

Minimum Qualifications

1. 8+ years of experience as a project or program manager.
2. Experience with establishing programs and leading them end-to-end while scaling for growth.
3. Experience building relationships with peers and executive stakeholders and collaborating with cross-functional teams across multiple locations.
4. Experience leveraging data to inform decisions and drive change.
5. Track record of operating under your own initiative, embracing ambiguity, demonstrating proactivity, being detail-oriented, and delivering results in a highly organized manner.
6. Experience being successful in a productive, time-sensitive environment that requires time management, task prioritization, flexibility, and experience identifying problems and proactively working towards solutions.
7. Demonstrated experience in interacting with and influencing researchers, cross-functional stakeholders, management, and external partners with the experience adapting communication style to suit different audiences.
8. Demonstrated experience in navigating ambiguous situations.
9. Experience managing short- and long-term projects and initiatives, anticipating project issues and resolving them, connecting resources to research needs, and removing barriers.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience working directly with User Experience researchers, product designers, and/or content strategists.
2. Experience with vendor management and contract negotiation.
3. Demonstrated experience in (1) organization and (2) prioritization approaches and frameworks.

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

Compensation

US$116,000/year to US$166,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits. Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures.

Apply for this job to take the first step toward a rewarding career at Meta.