Senior Research Manager

The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or “the Board”) in 1972. Guided by a vision of “Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation,” NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Led by the Board of Directors, NPAIHB’s mission is to “eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services.”

Funded through July 30th, 2027. Phase II is projected following Phase I, and NPAIHB will apply for Phase II funding. The N CREW Program is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, jointly managed by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

About the role

The Senior Research Manager (SRM) manages day-to-day research coordination for the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) program, addressing overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain. The SRM is responsible for project tracking, award implementation, Tribal research support, training and event coordination, Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, data-quality support, grant reporting, and related research administration. The SRM serves as a central liaison among Principal Investigators (PIs), project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funders to support timely, compliant, culturally responsive, and successful project outcomes.

The SRM must have advanced knowledge of research project and grant administration, protection of human subjects in research, Tribal research engagement, and data-governance principles. This position requires strong skills in project management, technical writing, research coordination, stakeholder communication, and independent problem-solving.

This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon and is expected to work on-site in accordance with applicable workplace and telework policies. Local travel and overnight travel outside of the area are required.

Responsibilities

• N CREW Research Excellence and Success
  • Advances NPAIHB’s N CREW research activities in alignment with priorities established by member Tribes, the Strategic Plan, and applicable Tribal, federal, state, organizational, and/or funding priorities.
  • Actively promotes an organizational culture of professional excellence, integrity, rigor, service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Acts as a central liaison for N CREW research activities among PIs, project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funding agencies to promote coordinated, timely, culturally responsive, and effective work.
  • Leads proactive planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts to identify needs, address barriers, and advance desired outcomes.
  • Monitors emerging needs, trends, risks, opportunities, and external developments affecting the N CREW program and communicates material information to appropriate staff and leadership.
• Research Project Management and Award Implementation
  • Manages day-to-day N CREW award implementation in accordance with the Notice of Award, approved work plans, timelines, budgets, research protocols, organizational policies, and applicable requirements.
  • Leads collaboration and compliance among projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet applicable goals, requirements, and NPAIHB Strategic Plan objectives and priorities.
  • Establishes and maintains internal grant and project tracking systems to monitor timelines, deliverables, Tribal requests, training and technical-assistance requests, interested Tribes, approvals, and required follow-up, including use of ClickUp or other project management software.
  • Applies proactive project-management practices to organize complex work, manage competing priorities, and meet project goals, deliverables, reporting deadlines, and fiscal requirements.
  • Coordinates and participates in NPAIHB and national N CREW meetings, meetings with NIH, and other project discussions to organize activities, clarify responsibilities, resolve barriers, and maintain shared accountability.
  • Coordinates cross-functional work, including dependencies, approvals, contributions, deadlines, and required follow-up.
  • Tracks progress toward grant goals, objectives, milestones, budgets, and work plans, and collaborates with PIs to review evaluation findings, identify barriers, and support necessary adjustments.
  • Coordinates and oversees Community Advisory Board meetings, including quarterly meetings, ongoing planning sessions, materials, logistics, and resulting follow-up actions.
  • Manages and coordinates research-related trainings and events, including preparation of materials, participant communications, attendance tracking, and follow-up.
• Research Compliance, Data Governance, and Quality Assurance
  • Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, research protocols, organizational policies, professional standards, and other requirements governing N CREW activities.
  • Coordinates IRB submissions, revisions, review feedback, continuing-review requirements, and other necessary actions for the Portland Area IRB and applicable Tribal IRBs or research review boards.
  • Ensures adherence to applicable human-subjects protections and Institutional Review Board requirements for clinical research, surveillance, and/or evaluation.
  • Conducts review of research documentation, project records, data processes, and work products for accuracy, quality, consistency, completeness, and compliance.
  • Supports quality assurance, quality control, risk management, and continuous quality-improvement practices for the collection, tracking, management, and analysis of Tribal data that respond to the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and strengthen the quality and effectiveness of the N CREW program.
  • Coordinates the identification, assessment, communication, and resolution of compliance risks, quality concerns, process gaps, and necessary corrective actions.
  • Maintains appropriate data systems, protocols, documentation, confidentiality protections, and data-governance practices that uphold Tribal data sovereignty.
• Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination
  • Coordinates and supports research, data collection, evaluation, and other data-informed activities related to N CREW.
  • Implements data-collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and quality-control processes in collaboration with PIs and other study-team members.
  • Supports analysis and interpretation of findings and uses results to guide project implementation, service improvement, decision-making, and the development of Tribally based best practices.
  • Prepares substantive reports, briefs, presentations, training materials, and other products that communicate research, evaluation, or project findings.
  • Supports presentation and dissemination of project information and findings in Tribal, community, regional, and national settings.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Assistance
  • Strengthens relationships with NPAIHB member Tribes, Tribal health programs, the Indian Health Service, government agencies, funders, community partners, consultants, and other stakeholders.
  • Represents the NPAIHB and its N CREW Project at meetings, conferences, events, committees, and workgroups.
  • Facilitates stakeholder engagement activities to gather input, promote participation, strengthen collaboration, and build collective understanding.
  • Implements capacity-building strategies based on the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and other applicable stakeholders.
  • Provides training, instruction, educational facilitation, mentoring, presentations, resource sharing, and related learning or capacity-building activities for the NWRCC and Tribal Learner cohorts.
  • Leads technical assistance and consultation to member Tribes, and/or the N CREW network for the NWRRC.
  • Supports communication and collaboration across NPAIHB to reduce information silos and engage multidisciplinary teams in providing training and technical assistance that advances culturally appropriate prevention, treatment, and other Tribal health strategies.
• Funding Development and Award Administration
  • Supports PIs and other project leaders in preparing grant reports, continuation materials, future grant applications, and related funding documents.
  • Coordinates contributions, documentation, approvals, timelines, and required follow-up for funding-agency submissions.
• Budget and Fiscal Management
  • Manages assigned budgets in collaboration with Finance staff.
  • Supports review of financial information and identifies actual or anticipated variances, risks, and necessary actions.
  • Assists with monitoring expenditures and financial information to identify variances, maintain alignment with approved budgets, and comply with applicable organizational and funding requirements.
• Administrative and Reporting Functions
  • Maintains complete, accurate, and well-organized N CREW files and supporting records in compliance with NPAIHB and applicable external requirements, including securely archiving records as appropriate.
  • Maintains calendars, project-management systems, tracking spreadsheets, databases, and other tools with current information regarding activities, deliverables, deadlines, requirements, approvals, and required follow-up.
  • Tracks monthly activity reports to ensure grant activities are documented and available for semiannual reporting and recurring meetings with NIH.
  • Provides timely updates regarding assigned activities, deadlines, risks, and issues to appropriate staff and leadership.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of research project and grant administration, protection of human subjects in research, Tribal research engagement, and data-governance principles.
• Strong skills in project management, technical writing, research coordination, stakeholder communication, and independent problem-solving.
• Ability to organize complex award activities and produce accurate, polished work under deadline.

Benefits

• Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance
• Retirement Contributions
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays

Pay

$91,000 – $110,000 annually

Schedule

• Full-Time (1.00 FTE), Regular w/ Benefits
• Salaried, Exempt Status