OVERVIEW:

A full-time Program Manager is being hired to manage activities, build and maintain program workflows, and oversee the work of clinical research coordinators for a program of community-engaged, behavioral health research in aging and dementia. This role reports to the study PI in the Department of Psychiatry and will work in close collaboration with investigative team.

This role involves work on two programs funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) that are conceptually aligned on the central theme of community-engaged, community-partnered, behavioral health and interventions research among diverse older adults and their caregivers who are affected by cognitive issues and/or Alzheimer disease or other dementias. The first program is a NIH-funded Alzheimer's Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), entitled Mass-ENVISION (Massachusetts Center for Alzheimer and dEmeNtia behaVIoral reSearch In minOrity aging), which focuses on recruitment, training, mentoring, and sustaining research career success of under-represented biomedical research scientists (per NIH definition) in behavioral interventions for people affected by Alzheimer disease and related dementias. The second is a PCORI-funded, community-partnered study that will test comparative effectiveness of two widely used behavioral interventions to address physical functioning (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy plus walking vs. active living every day) among community-based Black older adults with co-morbid chronic pain and early cognitive decline. Both are planned to run for 5 years, with the potential for renewal of the RCMAR.

This role may be ideal for individuals who have a Master's or above and who are highly interested in community-engaged research, community-based interventions, behavioral health, social and behavioral interventions, health equity, and aging and dementia research. This position would provide the opportunity to work with leaders in psychiatry in one of the premier departments for psychiatry research in the world, as well as to collaborate with diverse groups of community partners in Greater Boston.

This full-time position could accommodate a flexible schedule, including hybrid/primarily remote work, a diversity of content interests, and the opportunity to work with experts in the fields of behavioral health interventions, aging, dementia, and community-engaged research. The position would also create opportunities for continued skills advancement and professional development in study and program management.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note, the functions below are representative of major duties that are typically associated with this position. Specific responsibilities may vary based upon study needs. Similarly, not all duties that have been outlined will be assigned to this position.

Program Management

Study Operations

• Create and manage study deliverable timelines according to programmatic and/or sponsor-specified milestones.
• Work closely with PI(s) and investigators to ensure that the work is completed in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Create systems for ensuring and maintaining compliance with applicable federal regulations, IRB requirements, and institutional policies and procedures.

• Conduct and/or supervise other research staff in preparing, submitting, amending, maintaining, and following study protocols.
• Create and/or supervise systems for maintaining program information and study databases.
• Create and/or supervise systems for quality monitoring and assurance.
• Coordinate study activities and function as a resource for all study issues.

Study Communications

• Develop and manage program communication plans
• Provide supervision in aspects of the data collection process, including mailings, email communications, and electronic questionnaires.
• Maintain and/or collaborate with appropriate Research Management staff on updated Biosketches and Other Support documents of personnel.
• Draft and/or maintain and format Biosketch narrative content of personnel.
• Draft and/or submit Progress Reports and Just-In-Time requests for funding agencies.
• Communicate with MGB Research Management, other relevant MGB offices (e.g., Supply Chain, Clinical Trials Office, etc.) and scientific collaborators and/or sponsors.
• Manage processing of MGB study agreements.
• Manage processing of MGB innovations documentation, as applicable.

Financial Management

• Prepare budgets and budget components for research sponsors, including foundation and federal funding sources, for ancillaries to the parent studies (e.g., research Supplements).
• Prepare materials for submissions for post-award processes, including revised budgets and components and progress reports.
• Manage personnel allocations, including updating, tracking and ensuring proper reporting of effort of study personnel.
• Track and monitor study charges/expenses to conduct study activities, including interface with relevant institutional offices (e.g., supply chain, research finance)
• Use most up-to-date approved MGB templates for all finance management and reporting activities.

Personnel Management

Serve as point person, under supervision of PI(s) and designated investigators, hiring of staff

Be responsible for day-to-day activities of assigning work projects, monitoring the rate of completed work of all the project staff, and directly supervising and evaluating the work of the project staff and serving as back-up.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

Required:

• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems quickly and independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to effectively interact cross-functionally and collegially.
• Ability to delegate tasks and supervise others.
• Ability to work independently to resolve technical problems.
• Strong attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word.

Preferred:

• Experience of at least 2 years working in clinical research and program management and/or grant coordination in research settings
• Knowledge of MGB (MassGeneralBrigham) systems
• Knowledge of grants submission and/or post-award grants management processes.
• Proficiency in use of meeting scheduling software and/or tools (e.g., Outlook, Zoom, Teams).

EDUCATION:

BA/BS or other bachelor's degree required.

MS/MA/MPH/MPP or other Master's equivalent or above degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Healthcare and/or not for profit background preferred.