Project Manager

About the role

The Project Manager provides independent program/project management and interdisciplinary coordination for the Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. The role supports the research program — including clinical trials, laboratory research, and biospecimen activities — by translating research priorities into project plans, milestones, resource requirements, performance measures, and operating processes. The position coordinates investigator-initiated studies, laboratory and translational research projects, grant-related activities, and biospecimen workflows with investigators, clinical research teams, laboratory staff, biorepository personnel, OHRS, and other institutional partners. It also monitors research progress, identifies operational barriers, and provides analyses and recommendations to the Associate Director.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead the planning and implementation of the research program, including clinical trials, laboratory research, and biospecimen activities; manage program priorities, timelines, resources, and deliverables in alignment with Cancer Institute requirements.
• Develop program charters, business requirements, implementation plans, milestones, resource plans, performance indicators, and accountability mechanisms for complex projects within the research program.
• Evaluate clinical trials and research portfolios using trial activation, accrual, biospecimen availability, laboratory project milestones, and other operational data; identify trends, gaps, risks, and opportunities and present actionable recommendations to the Associate Director.
• Partner with investigators, physicians, laboratory staff, clinical research operations, OHRS, regulatory and administrative offices, and other stakeholders to advance research projects and resolve barriers while maintaining responsibility for the assigned research program.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve awareness of clinical trials, strengthen referral pathways, expand appropriate patient access, and support clinical trial enrollment in collaboration with clinical research teams.
• Establish and maintain dashboards and reporting frameworks for clinical trials, laboratory projects, and biospecimen activities using CRMS and other approved data sources; ensure data integrity and convert complex information into clear analyses, visualizations, briefings, and recommendations for program decisions.
• Coordinate research communications for the program, including study updates and contributions to the clinical research newsletter; work with the Associate Director and relevant teams to communicate research priorities, trial availability, and program progress.
• Provide programmatic support for Associate Director investigator-initiated clinical trials and laboratory and translational research concepts, including coordinating feasibility discussions; managing timelines and dependencies; and supporting letters of intent, grant submissions, requests for applications, study drug requests, slide decks, and literature reviews.
• Plan and coordinate meetings for the research program and facilitate participation in the Investigator Forum and other research meetings; develop agendas, track decisions and action items, and support collaboration among clinical, laboratory, and research teams.
• Lead operational improvement initiatives within the research program, including laboratory project coordination and biospecimen workflows; coordinate collection, processing, storage, tracking, and transfer activities with the responsible clinical, laboratory, and biorepository teams in accordance with approved protocols and institutional requirements; assess workflows, manage change, and evaluate outcomes.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in health administration, public health, research administration, biological sciences, business administration, or a relevant field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience with increasing responsibility in a scientific/healthcare office/laboratory setting (or a Master’s degree plus three (3) years).
• Two (2) years of supervisory/managerial experience required.
• Experience in oncology clinical research, an NCI-designated cancer center, ETCTN or CTEP trials, investigator-initiated trials, trial portfolio analysis, laboratory research coordination, biospecimen management, research communications, and senior-level stakeholder engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work effectively with faculty and staff in a collaborative research setting.
• Detail-oriented with superior organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous projects and people simultaneously.
• Resourceful in analyzing work-related challenges and seeking out effective and efficient solutions.
• Proficient in information acquisition tasks using internet search engines, PubMed, and other databases.
• Adaptable, flexible, and willing/able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities with confidence and professionalism.
• Routinely takes initiative and is comfortable working independently and in teams.
• Able to learn quickly and efficiently process new information.
• Proficient at critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. candidate preferred.

Pay

FLSA Exempt, Grade 31S. Salary range: $111,050 (minimum) – $140,478 (mid-range) – $169,906 (maximum). The final salary offer may be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, availability of department or grant funds, market benchmarks, and internal equity.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Schedule & Work Arrangement

• Full-time position (37.5 standard hours per week)
• Fully on-site work arrangement required
• Staff appointment, 12-month term
• Pension eligibility: ABP
• Union: MPSC - Legacy UMD

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Physical demands: Standing, sitting, walking, talking, and hearing. No special vision requirements. Lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Work environment: Office environment with moderate noise.

Location: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Downtown New Brunswick, NJ. Posting number: 26ST2006. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment screenings. Under Policy 100.3.1, proof of seasonal influenza vaccination may be required if employment commences during flu season, unless a medical or religious exemption is granted.