Research Services Manager

Position Overview

The Research Services Manager leads the CLHSS project management and qualitative research team (5+ FTE), setting standards and practices for project execution to support a portfolio of research projects in healthcare delivery and digital innovation, ensuring coordination and alignment with business objectives, and that projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent, proactive systems thinking and decision‑making abilities to address varied and at times complex problems that require integrative solutions across teams and resources to solve. This position will work under general supervision (Research Portfolio Director), be collaborative with various stakeholders, guide day‑to‑day project operations and make recommendations based on expertise and known best practices, and be adaptable to handle changing research needs and priorities as set by CLHSS Directors.

• Directly oversee and manage project management and qualitative research team (5+ FTE) to meet defined project deliverables.
  • Ensure utilization of CLHSS project management standards, templates, and resources (e.g. Smart Sheet) across team for quality and consistency, adapting resources to meet project management needs and best practices as appropriate
  • Monitor project progress, performance, and make necessary adjustments for success.
  • Identify, manage, and resolve project‑related issues and conflicts; escalade complex issues and conflicts when appropriate
  • Ensure applicable projects are prepared for internal audits by ensuring project management staff maintain required documentation, processes, and compliance standards
• Identify, schedule, and coordinate training opportunities to promote continuous improvement and adoption of best practices in research management.
• Report monthly to CLHSS Directors regarding team capacity to ensure alignment with portfolio planning and future planning; make recommendations for project manager assignment to new requests based on skills and capacity.
• Facilitate monthly reporting of active projects at CLHSS Portfolio meeting for visibility and discussion of novel/complex project issues.
• Verify accurate reporting of hours by team members to support ISO/ESO billing processes.
• Develop and maintain Smartsheet tools to support project tracking and resource management.

• Provide leadership for staff and foster a professional, diverse and equitable working environment within the center for people from all backgrounds, communities, and identities, where staff are empowered and accountable.
• Regularly consult with center and project leadership to gather insight on staff strengths and development needs; develop and implement goals and work plans to develop staff capacity, skill maturity, and professional development.

• Act as project manager for ad hoc or complex project requests made by CLHSS Leadership.
• Serve as interim project manager when staff are on leave.

This position follows UMN Work. With Flexibility. guidelines. Currently, the position will be primarily working from home. There may be occasional needs to be on campus and over time there may be a need to set a regular schedule for a few days on campus each week. Work hours should follow a regular schedule between 7‑5, M‑F.

• BA/BS with at least 6 years of research/project management experience or an advanced degree plus 4 years of related experience.
• Strong analytical skills with established organization and project management strategies to keep track of details in the context of the larger objectives and manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage others, set and maintain deadlines, and prioritize assignments.
• Prior experience working in healthcare and/or academic research and managing clinical and/or translational research studies.
• Experience with regulatory aspects (e.g. IRB and FDA) of conducting clinical research.
• Experience at the University of Minnesota.
• Experience working on federally funded…