Senior Research Project Manager

HealthPartners; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HealthPartners is seeking a Senior Research Project Manager to guide one or more complex neuroscience studies. You will lead resource planning, budgeting, and regulatory coordination while working closely with scientists and coordinating across sites in a hybrid environment.

The role emphasizes leadership, operational excellence, and contributing to publications and reports to support brain health research at HealthPartners Institute.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field with strong project oversight experience.
• Proven ability to manage complex multi-site research projects and budgets.
• Experience coordinating IRB processes and regulatory documentation.
• Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional collaboration in teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex neuroscience research projects under PI supervision.
• Oversee budgeting, timelines, and resource allocation across studies.
• Coordinate IRB submissions, amendments and ongoing compliance.
• Mentor research staff and coordinate with collaborating sites.
• Prepare reports, manuscripts, and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

IRB coordination

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in applicable field

PMP or equivalent certification

Tools

Data management software

IRB documentation systems

Job description

Join a collaborative and mission-driven neuroscience research team dedicated to advancing treatments for people living Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and other neurological disorders - as well as supporting the people who care for them. As a Project Manager, you will work closely with experienced scientists and research staff in a supportive environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and scientific excellence. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, excited to contribute to innovative research while collaborating with colleagues to translate discoveries into meaningful improvements in brain health.

POSITION PURPOSE

This position requires expertise in project management operations and knowledge ofrelevant scientific areas. An individual can qualify through expertise in either area, but operational excellence is foremost.

The senior research project manager is responsible for managing one or more complex projects and orchestrating the activities of the team members. This may include supervising research specialists or coordinators or similar staff. This person takes a leadership role in guiding resource allocation and strategies across projects, with the supervision of a principal investigator.

The primary duty of this role is complex project management. A senior research project manager is closely involved in the operational leadership of a research project or team, working with autonomy but in close coordination with the Principal Investigator or department head. This person must demonstrate success managing projects based on a combination of factors, such as managing budgets, IRBs communications, deliverables, challenging relationships and guiding legal agreements and contracts processes. An additional preferred strength of a Senior Project Manager is contributing to the team discussions of clinical decisions, research methods and manuscript development. This person must be able to use a thorough understanding of project objectives and to plan resources for areas of the study/ies requiring specific and in-depth expertise.

Responsibilities include proactive research-methods contributions across project phases (i.e., contributions to project team development of the randomization strategy, data management plans, protocol, the survey tools, the data definitions and validation, and their implementation, dissemination, and integration). In addition to project management tasks, this person provides valued contributions to team efforts to communicate findings, and partners with lead authors in the development, writing and editing of research reports, presentations and professional publications. In addition to project-related responsibilities, this person takes initiative to contribute to the operational excellence and success of the PMO and/or project management across the institute.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, hybrid. On-site Tuesday-Thursday. The in-person location will be the HealthPartners Neuroscience Center

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Many, but not necessarily all, of the following:

1. Manage studies that require extensive collaboration with other sites, such as a prime-site study with sub-recipients, multiple contractors or centralized data coordination; manage multiple stakeholders including the study funder.

2. May serve as more experienced PM in a paired PM model; may also support the work of other PMs in a paired PM model. May supervise or mentor others in the Research Project Management Office (RPMO).

3. Operational responsibility in guiding resource allocation across projects and/or strategies across projects, with the guidance of a principal investigator.

4. Study coordination and management of complex project(s), which may include the following responsibilities in partnership with the project PI:

   1. Acts as a liaison with a large number of key stakeholders including clinic staff and/or other internal and external departments, companies, grant partners, etc.

Responsible for meeting leadership and management in coordination with the PI and other project team staff

1. Guides the committee and workgroup structure through which the work of the project is accomplished.

2. Facilitates groups, meetings, and committees. Develops agenda in collaboration with the investigator.

3. Uses forethought and understanding of the scientific nature of the project, develops detailed project plans, timetables, resource estimation and tracking to meet deadlines.

4. Contributes to operational feasibility analysis when processes and timelines are developed.

5. Demonstrates initiative and forward-thinking in solving problems, by identifying and acting on barriers to success and working to enhance plausible solutions.

6. Supervises work of study staff across multiple projects and/or serves to guide study staff, which may include hiring, training, and/or evaluation of Research Specialist(s), Research Nurse(s), Programmer Analyst, contracted Chart Auditor(s) and Support Specialist, Survey Research Center staff and members of the study team(s) at collaborating sites. Educates staff to work within applicable organizational and regulatory policies and procedures.

7. Allocates and coordinates resources, including maintaining budgets and complex financial situations. A key contact for monthly budget review, expenditure approval, and budget issues, while investigator maintains overall accountability.

8. Designs and oversees data collection processes, develops, implements and documents methodologies to assess data accuracy and completeness (i.e. data management plan, manual of procedures or manual of operations). Maintains orderly related documentation in the project folder.

9. Development of human-subject-related materials for IRB. May perform all human-subject-related activities.

10. Using statistical analysis and other knowledge, drafts correspondence for periodic and final reports for funding and oversight organizations. Typically serves as the primary contact for Institutional Review Board. Serves as an active and vigilant advocate for, and provides oversight for team activities, maintenance of appropriate data privacy, responsible conduct of research, and legal use of funds and data transfer.

11. Participates in presentations at client meetings, national conferences or as requested.

12. Participates in literature reviews, writing and editing of journal articles as part of a team.

13. Fully utilizes resources at HPI and participates in research operations, contributes to project management team, and other HPI activities.

14. Facilitates relevant scientific processes, including randomization, survey design, protocol development, and data collection processes. Oversee protocol development, manuals of procedures, monitoring visits, and FDA drug and device study management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education, experience and demonstrated skill set including many, but not necessarily all, of the following:

• Master’s degree in applicable field. (PMP, ACRP-CRC certification, plus some experience, or seven or more years of research experience may be substituted for lesser academic degrees)
• Minimum of five years of managing progressively more complex research projects.
• Specialized training for the study-specific area(s) of expertise; i.e. some projects require Bachelor of Science degree in nursing or dental hygiene with five years of clinical experience in the study area.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize.
• Demonstrated ability to serve in a leadership role with a team to accomplish tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated budget management expertise.
• Demonstrated planning and management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of health-care systems and health care terminology and/or conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to a research protocol but also to have sufficient flexibility and judgment to handle unforeseen situations that may arise while working independently.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with care provider, project team, operations/support staff, study participants, and outside funders and sponsors.
• Experience developing and maintaining computerized databases.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, research methodologies and study design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Reliable transportation for travel to HealthPartners clinics and meeting sites.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Authorship on peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with data use agreements
• Experience with sub-recipient monitoring activities

DECISION-MAKING

Collaborates and partners with the study investigator(s) and RPMO leadership and consults with the necessary personnel on issues affecting the department and study, such as recurrent clinical problems, inaccessible resources, etc. Provides project leadership with input/advice from Principal Investigator and others.