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 uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

The Manager, Research Programs serves as program manager for clinical research studies, including assisting in the development of recruitment goals, participating in clinical study budget development and negotiation, and supervising a team of clinical research staff such as nurses and coordinators. This role involves communicating 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 collaboratively to accomplish common departmental goals.
• Exhibits strong leadership skills, including delegation, motivation, and fostering open communication.
• Takes ownership of problems and follows through from analysis to resolution.
• Assigns and reviews work, prioritizes tasks, and delegates effectively.
• Plans, organizes, and completes projects efficiently.
• Leads team discussions to generate cost-effective ideas.
• Designs, develops, and revises standards using community and national benchmarks.
• Defines and achieves financial targets for the unit/area, consistent with departmental financial plans.
• Develops clinical study budgets and negotiates with sponsors and internal departments.
• Reports audit findings and incidental discoveries for correction or educational purposes.
• Ensures compliance with Institutional and Federal billing policies.
• Creates a safe, satisfying, and enriching environment for employees.
• Defines qualifications and performance expectations for staff positions.
• Assesses team composition and identifies potential deficiencies.
• Develops and communicates team goals with appropriate follow-up.
• Provides regular, immediate feedback to support self-development and learning.
• Documents conversations for future performance evaluations or counseling.
• Assesses staff performance against job description expectations.
• Develops individualized professional development plans for staff.
• Recommends personnel actions, including hiring, promotions, and terminations.
• Counsels employees regarding disciplinary actions.
• Communicates across teams to maximize effectiveness and information sharing.
• Monitors quality assurance standards, programs, and procedures.
• Analyzes situations, develops recommendations, and prepares presentations.
• Prioritizes tasks and distinguishes critical needs from less urgent ones.
• Participates in professional associations and development activities.
• Seeks customer feedback to improve processes, systems, and outcomes.
• Initiates and contributes to the development of departmental policies and procedures.
• Promotes continuous quality improvement (CQI) concepts.
• Creates and supervises complex QA/QI audits.
• Utilizes PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Audit) format for CQI suggestions.
• Identifies and participates in educational and developmental activities.
• Collaborates to develop and implement educational opportunities across the research community.
• Keeps abreast of regulatory guidelines and institutional/departmental policies.
• Applies innovative thinking to develop alternative solutions.
• May present at national conferences or contribute to publications.
• May chair or serve on internal and/or institutional committees.

Qualifications

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

Benefits

This role offers a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance well-being and professional growth.