Position Description

A large research study (“The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University”) was initiated in 2014 to evaluate and improve the health and wellbeing of former professional football players. The Study is funded by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and is one of the largest sports research projects ever undertaken. The Study is researching medical conditions that affect the quality and longevity of life of football players and working to identify and prioritize promising new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat those conditions that afflict them. The Study strives to meet its aims by collecting data directly from players, by supporting innovative research, and by conducting in-person and remote assessments.

The Research Project Manager is responsible for overseeing a specific research study or family of studies. Reporting to the Senior Director and designated faculty, they will have a lead role in developing and executing clinical research studies. They will work closely with one or more research faculty to define and operationalize each study’s needs and requirements, including recruitment strategy, protocol development, and clinical site coordination and oversee the day-to-day study activities. They will manage their studies’ resourcing requirements and ensure all project timelines and milestones are met. In addition, they will manage a study team of 1 - 2 coordinators and research assistants to execute their study(ies).

Specific responsibilities include:

• Work closely with designated faculty members to define and execute research initiatives across multiple institutions.
• Develop project timelines and utilize project management tools and systems that track and monitor program progress against benchmarks.
• Develop, implement, organize, and maintain processes and systems to support study execution (e.g. processes for sample and data collection across all sites and in the field).
• Prepare and finalize study-related documents including protocols and amendments, operational manuals, guidelines and training and reference materials.
• Develop research project recruitment strategy and manage recruitment efforts to meet enrollment targets.
• In collaboration with the Collaborations Coordinator, develop research project recruitment strategy and manage recruitment efforts to meet enrollment targets.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, research program leaders and collaborators at affiliate hospitals and organizations to coordinate regulatory activities, study visits, data flow and sample collection and management.
• Participate in screening, coordinate participant visits, and assist participants through study visits.
• Manage required standardized practices for information collection and reporting needed to comply with Institutional, State, Federal and International Regulatory requirements for designated research studies.
• Work collaboratively with the administrative team on subcontracting, billing, invoicing and other administrative tasks as required of each study or project.
• Must be able to identify risk areas and be able to mitigate them.
• Manage the resolution of human subjects’ issues that may arise during the study.
• Organize and conduct protocol training and project review sessions.
• Manage and oversee up to 2 Coordinators and/or Research Assistants.
• Attend team meetings regularly to stay informed of other program activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

5 or more years of experience. Higher education may count towards experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in basic science, health science, or biomedical related field preferred.
• Three or more years of related project management experience preferably in an academic, health care or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Master’s degree in medical, public health or health science related field strongly preferred.
• Proven project management skills.
• Knowledge of, interest in and experience with long-term research studies and/or sports medicine.
• Experience in clinical research.
• Supervisory experience, particularly training, mentoring, and delegation skills.
• Excellent organizational and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work across teams and with a variety of projects and constituencies.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team and face-paced project.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to problem solve, troubleshoot and manage complex projects through to completion.

Additional Information

This is a three-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position. 

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.

The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values

https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms/campus-culture/mission-community-values-diversity-statement

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.