Manager of Research Operations

About the role

The School of Kinesiology (SoK) is seeking an experienced Manager of Research Operations to oversee the Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function (an NIA-funded P30 center, roybal.umich.edu) and the Motivation Laboratory (kines.umich.edu/motivation).

This is an established, actively funded research program spanning multiple federal sponsors (including NIA, NIDDK, and NHLBI), with concurrent clinical trials, a P30 infrastructure grant, and an active grant-writing pipeline. Our research focuses on developing, evaluating, and disseminating technology-based behavioral interventions that make it easier and more enjoyable for adults to lead lifestyles that support health, well-being, and cognitive function.

Responsibilities

• Project & Operations Management (35%): Plan and run regular center/lab meetings, including recurring lab operations meetings, the annual Roybal Center meeting, site visits and other events (EF)
  Plan, schedule, and track research activities across multiple concurrently funded projects to optimize productivity and manage resources efficiently, using the lab's internal Lab BrAIn system to maintain shared visibility across the team (EF)
  Develop, manage, and refine standard operating procedures and the lab's documented manual of operations; assist the director in prioritizing tasks and managing logistical arrangements (EF)
  Oversee and contribute as needed to IRB applications and reports; monitor and ensure compliance with internal regulations (EF)
  Review and approve operations for new trainee-proposed research protocols before launch (EF)
  Assist in preparing reports to funders (including NIH institutes such as NIA, NIDDK, and NHLBI, and other federal/non-federal sponsors) using required systems (e.g., eConnect, CROMS, RPPRs, clinicaltrials.gov); ensure compliance with federal publication and sharing requirements (e.g., NIHMS) (EF)
  Provide the director with regular, proactive status updates on project timelines, deliverables, and emerging issues, in an agreed format and cadence - flagging risks early so the director can stay focused on the science (EF)
• Communications (20%): Coordinate with science communication intern and the School Marketing and Communications team on public-facing communications.
  Maintain current content on center and lab websites on an ongoing basis; oversee preparation of social media posts and newsletters; circulate drafts of external-facing communications for Faculty Director review prior to distribution (EF)
  Serve as liaison with offices and labs within the School of Kinesiology, the University, and external and multi-site partners (EF)
  Edit copy for papers, press releases, and other communications
  Maintain and organize electronic and paper information storage systems (EF)
• Personnel Management (20%): Collaborate with SoK HR on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training research staff, and on offboarding departing staff - including timely removal of system access (e.g., REDCap, Slack, shared drives) (EF)
  Supervise and manage center/lab staff and some trainee research activities (EF)
  Hold regular (e.g., quarterly) check-in meetings with staff to review goals, progress, engagement, and professional development needs (EF)
  Own staff performance evaluations for center/lab staff, in consultation with the director - meeting directly with each employee to deliver feedback and sharing the completed evaluation with the director afterward (EF)
  Review and approve requested staff absences to ensure adequate project coverage (EF)
• Financial Management (20%): Manage inventory and budgets across multiple concurrently funded projects; maintain a shared framework for tracking spending across projects to inform planning and grant writing (EF)
  Collaborate with the SoK Finance team on contract and vendor setup; submit and reconcile purchases (EF)
  Assist in preparing grant applications, budgets, and budget justifications - including no-cost extension requests - in collaboration with the director and SoK research team (EF)
• Other Duties (5%): Represent the center/lab when the director is unavailable (EF)
  Provide other support as needed to the center/lab director (EF)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree with relevant experience
• Proven experience in:
• Project and operations management, preferably in a research setting
• Regulatory processes and compliance
• Financial management and budgeting across multiple concurrent projects
• Meticulous record-keeping and progress reporting
• Effective personnel management and leadership
• Working proficiency with REDCap
• High level of proficiency with technology and software (Word, Excel, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom); willingness and ability to learn and adopt internal systems, including our AI-assisted Lab BrAIn platform (training provided)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent, federally funded projects with competing deadlines
• Proven success contributing to a positive workplace culture and consistently demonstrating the School's Core Values

Required Competencies

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication and editing skills
• Demonstrated initiative, proactive communication, and dependability, including consistent, unprompted status reporting to the director
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff in an inclusive and trust-inspiring manner
• Works well collaborating with others and is able to operate independently, with reliable follow-through on commitments
• Detail-oriented, with excellent organizational and follow-through skills
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced, complex, multi-project environment
• Openness to adopting AI-assisted and agentic tools as the lab's operations evolve, with sound judgment about when human review and oversight are required