Project Manager

Project Manager

GENERAL SUMMARY/OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Neurology seeks a well-organized, dynamic, highly motivated Project Manager to provide support for its program in Brain Care Innovation. The program encompasses research, communication and clinical implementation, all of which are devoted to achieving measurable impact through reducing the number of people who develop dementia, stroke and depression in the future. The Brain Care Innovation team includes faculty, post-doctoral research fellows, clinicians and additional staff all of whom are pursuing inter-related projects. A particular focus for the Project Manager will be providing overall project management for the global brain care coalition, a network of international centers, who together are pursuing a coordinated research, communication and clinical implementation agenda aimed at solving the global pandemic of dementia, stroke and depression. The Global Brain Care Coalition is a project affiliated with the McCance Center for Brain Health.

Reporting to the Sr. Administrative Manager and working closely with the principal investigators, the Project Manager will have responsibility for day-to-day and long-term strategic project management Responsibilities include, but not limited to: primary project management of the Global Brain Care Coalition, ensuring research project deliverables are completed in a timely manner, ensuring seamless communication across teams, supervising and task management/delegation for research coordinators and interns; management of regulatory activities associated with research studies, IRB submissions and renewals; assembling grant applications, generated written reports, coordinating communication with a diverse set of international stakeholders.

Well-developed organizational, communication and problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced research environment are required. The ideal candidate must exhibit a high level of expertise, comfort, and independence in managing and facilitating objectives for a complex cross-functional project team that spans Mass General Brigham, Harvard, and external collaborations around the world. Previous experience with program and/or project management and a history of completing projects to specification is strongly preferred.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Definition and Tracking

• Project management for The Global Brain Care Coalition.
• Track project progress and communicate with stakeholders
• Prepare and disseminate communications with external stakeholders
• Work closely with lab members to gain an understanding of data processing methods and tools
• Document and facilitate the definition of project scope, goals, and resource requirements
• Translate clearly defined project needs into deliverables, milestones, and timelines by establishing the project plan
• Track progress of key milestones, ensuring execution of key deliverables
• Manage changes in timelines, deliverables and budget as needed
• Work closely with project leaders to establish quality criteria and monitor quality of projects
• Conduct project evaluations and assessment of results
• Actively seek out best practices; transmit this information to the project team and revise project plan accordingly
• Develop timelines, task lists, and operational plans for the completion of research projects, grant deliverables, and laboratory management goals in coordination with the principal investigators.

Communication/Reporting

• Ensure appropriate communication with all project stakeholders regarding timelines and status, deadlines, data requirements, logistics and all other project-related issues
• Facilitate project meetings to continually align the team around goals and communicate blocking issues

Compliance

• Work with Senior Administrative Manager to ensure appropriate funds are in place and tracks financial status of all projects relative to available budgets
• Work with Compliance office to generate and maintain appropriate IRB for work specific to project plan (if necessary)
• Ensure that projects and activities adhere to institutional guidelines with regards to safety and regulatory compliance

Management and Teamwork

• Work alongside other Team Project Managers
• Lead and develop agendas and circulate minutes for meetings, track deliverables and ensure deadlines and milestones are met for Brain Care Coalition and related projects.
• Identify roadblocks and alternative strategies for the completion of projects on-time and to specification and communicate updated information on at-risk deliverables or deadlines to the Sr. Administrative Manager and the principal investigators.
• Develop detailed protocol documents that meet federal/institutional standards.
• Ensure study design's compatibility with clinical/research practices
• Provide critical input as to feasibility of study design and available resources
• Ensure document consistency.
• Attend meetings and scientific conferences, as needed
• Assist with preparation of grant applications and manuscripts, including data analyses, literature searches, drafting of text, confirming affiliations and linking of funding to accepted manuscripts.
• Assist with Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements and Research Collaboration agreements.
• Maintain communication platforms including newsletters, emails, and lab websites/social media.
• Assist with data collection, interviews, data analysis, and reporting of preliminary findings, as needed.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability to work with a cross-functional collaboration to effectively manage and deliver on project goals
• Ability to adapt plans and priorities to rapidly shifting goals
• Must possess a high level of initiative and the ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment
• Highly detail oriented
• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools
• Excellent communication skills required; the ability to effectively communicate information and influence others
• Excellent time management, interpersonal, and organizational skills required
• Must be able handle a variety of tasks and effectively solve problems as they arise
• Excellent interpersonal/communications skills
• Ability to make independent, effective decisions
• Excellent judgement and ability to interpret information and protocol requirements
• Aptitude for technical problem solving
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to organize time and priorities effectively, asking for direction when appropriate. Flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Ability to identify issues and initiates plans to address; Demonstrates forthrightness and integrity.
• Skills to work efficiently and effectively and strives to do so in all aspects of position. Ability to engender these skills among staff.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters discreetly and to ensure confidentiality guidelines are maintained by staff.
• Ability to appropriately evaluate all aspects of a situation and to independently make appropriate and timely decisions.
• Exceptional computer skills (including operating systems, word processing, database, electronic mail, Internet, and spreadsheets).
• Knowledge in all aspects of laboratory safety and ability to ensure a safe environment for laboratory staff and subjects.
• Ability to work with large groups of investigators across departments/centers and institutions to complete project deliverables
• Innovative, detail-oriented and self-motivated

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• BS with 2+ years of related experience or Master’s with 1+ years of related experience
• Experience and training in project management or program management required

Preferred:

• Experience in clinical research, or business preferred

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Project management of clinical research coordinators, lab technicians, data managers, and research fellows.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Under the supervision of the Sr. Admin Manager, fiscal responsibilities will include budgeting for projects, identifying cost-effective strategies to complete projects, and ensuring lab consumables are obtained at best rate possible.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Hybrid office and lab environment.
• Some local and international travel may be required.
• Some after-hours meetings may be required.