Research Operations Manager

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! This is an EVERGREEN job posting, meaning it is always open to qualified candidates, even if there isn't an immediate opening. By applying, you'll be added to our talent pool for this role or similar opportunities in the future. While we may not be actively hiring right now, we regularly review applications and keep your profile on file. If a suitable position becomes available, we'll reach out to candidates whose skills and experience align with our needs. We encourage you to apply if you're interested in being considered for future opportunities with us. Even if we don't have an opening at the moment, your application ensures we can connect with top talent like you when the right opportunity arises.

About the Position

The Research Operations Manager position has several lines of effort, primarily focused around programmatic and budgetary risk management in project execution. The Research Operations shall actively drive execution of statements of work, ensuring personnel, supplies and other resources necessary for technical execution of a project are properly aligned. This position will form a deep understanding of the processes and requirements of funding agencies and shall be accountable for the completion of tasks necessary to execute the scopes of work outlined in Geneva's sponsored projects.

This is a hybrid remote Corporate position. Required to come on-site 2 days per week in Bethesda, MD.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aid People Operations with staffing, hiring, salary negotiations, mentorship, and performance review process for direct reports
• Conduct counseling, corrective action, up to and including termination, with People Operations and DoP Director
• Oversee general administrative needs such as timesheet approval and distribution of forms for assigned staff
• Manage and mentor all assigned staff to ensure optimal performance
• Ensure staff demonstrate basic understanding of their job description and work requirements
• Plan and facilitate individual and team meetings
• Ensure all staff complies with the Geneva Foundation and federal policies, procedures and SOPs
• Work with People Operations to implement hiring procedures

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate with the Research & Development Business Development (R&D BD) team to engage in strategic analysis and relationship development/management with current and potential sites, researchers, and partners/collaborators to identify and drive growth
• Collaborate with R&D BD to drive research growth for designated portfolio to include driving relationship development/management with current and potential sites, researchers, and partners and engage with site leadership
• Oversee the submission of funding proposal documents, including but not limited to pre-applications, letters of intent, subaward proposals and prime proposals to federal and non-federal sponsors, ensuring compliance with request for proposal (RFP) guidance, funding agency policy, and Geneva policy
• Select contractual instruments for proposed outbound agreements during the pre-award phase of the project's lifecycle
• Convene and facilitate regular meetings with principal investigators, co-investigators and collaborators to discuss project progress, challenges, and questions on upcoming phases (no less than quarterly); this includes the preparation of minutes and documentation of communications pertinent to execution of the project
• Review project schedules and understand project statuses in order to plan financial resources; control schedules to the extent practical and ensure that projects stay on track; and mitigate project delays
• Collaborate strategically with Program Managers/research personnel for precise forecasting and achievement of project objectives according to statements of work
• Oversee and review monthly budget forecasts to ensure that projects remain financially healthy and viable
• Communicate forecasting data to principal investigators, team leads and Geneva leadership
• Obtain statements of work and budgets/quotes for second tier agreements during the post-award phase of a project's lifecycle, including but not limited to subawards, subcontracts, vendor agreements, cooperative research and development agreements, and independent contractor agreements; this may warrant the generation of content and/or formatting of documents
• Identify and use strategy and creative problem solving to mitigate project delays; and to avoid missed or slipped milestones and deliverables
• Oversee program personnel actions including hiring, onboarding, monitoring performance, and separation duties
• Strategically guide program personnel to ensure they are actively driving and executing a project's stated objectives
• Maintain detailed records of past performance
• Act as the accountable party for ensuring the accuracy and allowability of procurement requests entered in Jamis
• Assist in the development, revision, and maintenance of department SOPs and forms
• Input on and delivery of training

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required (5+ years of relevant experience may be substituted for education requirement) At least 5 years working directly with federal assistance agreements and federal contracts is desired
• Advanced knowledge of sponsored research regulations required; Certified Research Administrator preferred.
• Proficiency in the straight-line forecasting model, using a ground-truthing approach which combines past data and patterns, along with operational knowledge of the project to create financial projections.
• Ability to effectively review, understand and interpret Statements of Work.
• Ability to foster open communication and collaboration to ensure that Statements of Work are understood by all parties involved.
• Competency in understanding ethics review and regulatory requirements for research.
• Experience with the administration of clinical trials is desirable
• Familiarity with and direct experience using software solutions for end-to-end automated agreement workflow
• Demonstrated competence in oral and written communication
• Must be organized, attentive to detail, and possess a positive, friendly, and professional demeanor
• Must be flexible with changing priorities and able to communicate in a diplomatic and professional manner
• Ability to exercise independent judgement in a fast paced, high-pressured environment with strict deadlines and to manage multiple projects
• Healthcare background and knowledge of DoD system preferred
• Developed understanding of OMB Regulations, DoDGARs, FAR, DFARS, and other applicable regulations
• Project planning and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented environment, providing guidance to less experienced team members
• Excellent time management, capable of managing multiple and often conflicting priorities and short deadlines
• Experience with industry-sponsored awards preferred
• Experience in using Microsoft SharePoint, Cayuse and Smartsheet
• High degree of competence in Microsoft Excel with experience tracking large amounts of data using spreadsheet
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance [2 CFR 200] and its predecessors OMB Circulars A-110, A-21, A-133, A-122; and FAR
• Good mathematical and excel skills
• Familiarity with Monday.com preferred