Research Programs Manager

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

About the Role

The Mgr., Research Programs serves as program manager for clinical research studies, including assisting in the development of recruitment goals; participating in the clinical study budget development and negotiation process; and supervising a team of clinical research staff, including nurses and coordinators. This role involves communication of performance expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and monitoring quality assurance standards, programs, and procedures within the team.

Responsibilities

• Manages the components of a clinical research program(s).
• Communicates and models values and mission of VU/VUMC.
• Establishes, supports, and promotes ownership of team/departmental goals.
• Works as a team to accomplish common departmental goals; willingly accepts responsibility and performs expected and unexpected tasks.
• Exhibits strong leadership skills, including delegation, motivation, and fostering a climate of trust and open communication.
• Recognizes areas of responsibility and takes ownership of problems, following through from analysis to resolution.
• Accepts constructive criticism and demonstrates a positive attitude toward improvement.
• Assigns, reviews, and prioritizes work; delegates tasks and follows up to ensure completion.
• Encourages appreciation and respect in the workplace by treating team members as unique individuals.
• Plans, organizes, and completes projects efficiently; leads team discussions to generate cost-effective ideas.
• Designs, develops, and revises standards using community and national benchmarks, research findings, and guidance documents.
• Defines and achieves financial targets for the unit/area, consistent with the departmental financial plan.
• Develops clinical study budgets and negotiates with sponsors and internal departments.
• Reports audit findings and incidental discoveries to the director/administrator for correction or educational purposes.
• Exercises judgment and prepares documentation regarding Institutional and Federal billing policies.
• Ensures a safe, satisfying, and enriching environment for employees while maintaining a qualified, competent staff.
• Defines qualifications and performance expectations for staff positions; establishes objective scoring criteria to reduce bias during evaluations.
• Assesses team composition, identifies deficiencies, and develops/communicates team goals with appropriate follow-up.
• Creates an environment that encourages self-development and learning through regular, immediate feedback.
• Thoroughly documents conversations with teams to support future performance evaluations or counseling.
• Assesses staff abilities regularly in meeting performance expectations and aligns goals with individual and departmental objectives.
• Develops staff through orientation, training programs, and work experience, focusing on individualized professional growth.
• Recommends personnel actions, including hiring, promotions, and terminations.
• Counsels employees regarding disciplinary actions for policy violations.
• Communicates across teams to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and information sharing.
• Monitors quality assurance standards, programs, and procedures within the unit/area.
• Analyzes situations/events, develops recommendations/plans, and prepares presentations/conclusions.
• Uses innovative thinking to develop alternative solutions and prioritize tasks/issues.
• Participates in professional associations and development activities to stay informed on new developments in the field.
• Actively seeks customer feedback to improve processes, systems, and outcomes.
• Initiates and contributes to the development/modification of departmental policies and procedures.
• Promotes the use of CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) concepts to enhance standards and daily operations.
• Creates and supervises complex QA/QI audits; conducts audits using PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Audit) format.
• Attends institutional CQI classes and applies learned concepts.
• Employs business process re-engineering concepts.
• Identifies and participates in educational and developmental activities to sustain personal and departmental growth.
• Collaborates to identify, develop, and implement educational opportunities across the research community.
• Nurtures a lifelong learning environment.
• Keeps abreast of and applies regulatory guidelines and institutional/departmental policies.
• Performs continuous self-assessment and applies innovative thinking to distinguish critical needs from less urgent ones.
• May present at national conferences/panels or contribute to publications.
• May chair or serve on internal and/or institutional committees.

Requirements

• 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.