Research Program Project Manager - Cancer Office of Community Outreach and Engagement

Job Location: 6560 Fannin St Houston, TX 77030 (Scurlock Tower)

This position is Hybrid.

Preferred Qualifications:

•Master of Public Health (MPH) or comparable graduate degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience supporting and operationalizing COE led research initiatives, including management of both internal research workflows and public facing deliverables
• Proven leadership in managing complex, multi year, externally funded research portfolios with direct responsibility for grant rollout, execution, reporting, and compliance across federal, state, and foundation awards
• Demonstrated expertise in biostatistics and advanced analytical techniques, with the ability to independently conduct analyses that inform research decisions, program strategy, and funder reporting
• Hands on experience using R, STATA, SAS, and Power BI for data analysis, visualization, and development of executive level dashboards tied to grant deliverables and evaluation metrics
• Proven ability to manage large scale datasets, including data cleaning, validation, quality control, and documentation to ensure analytic integrity and reproducibility
• Proficiency in REDCap for data capture and management, including development of instruments, data dictionaries, and workflows aligned with IRB and reporting requirements
• Applied experience with ArcGIS and spatial analysis to support catchment area analysis, community based research planning, environmental or social determinant mapping, and program evaluation
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing evaluation frameworks that assess project outcomes, monitor performance, and support continuous quality improvement across research initiatives
• Experience with scientific writing, including preparation of abstracts, technical reports, progress reports, and peer reviewed manuscripts in collaboration with investigators
• Strong working knowledge of human subjects research regulations, IRB submission and amendment processes, HIPAA compliance, and responsible conduct of research
• Proven ability to manage grant related reporting, budget tracking, and documentation to meet sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements
• Experience using project management tools and structured practices to coordinate deliverables across multidisciplinary teams while maintaining analytic rigor and accountability
• Ability to function as a strategic research partner to faculty and leadership, translating funded aims into executable workplans, identifying risks, and strengthening data and reporting systems
• Demonstrated systems thinking, independence, and ownership of outcomes that extend beyond traditional project coordination functions

At Houston Methodist, the Research Program Project Manager position is responsible for coordinating processes and a system for matching the research and clinical interest of faculty and/or physicians within Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) and the Physician Organization (PO) and with affiliated institutions. This position is the liaison for the coordination of all current and ongoing activities of the program in relation to the development, program products, and its collaboration with research and clinical investigators within Houston Methodist (HM), with affiliated and non-affiliated institutions, and with industry partners/collaborators and clients. The Research Program Project Manager position will assist in the development and preservation of these relationships in support of projects from pre-clinical to clinical stages of development. This position will provide strategic planning as a liaison, assist in maintaining communication, and in allocating resources (material and personnel) for all program projects and will maintain an organized and structured process by which activities are documented and maintained in accordance with project needs.

FLSA STATUS
Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s or terminal degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in a health center (academic or clinical)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred

• Portfolio Management Professional (PMP)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to conduct effective presentations
• Ability to establish and maintain positive Sponsor, project team member and internal relationships
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Advanced spreadsheet skills (i.e., creating pivot tables, performing v-lookups, and managing large data sets). Strong word-processing and presentation software skills
• Strong project and time management skills
• Exhibits resourcefulness, independent action and judgment that are position appropriate.
• Evaluates, selects, and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives
• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the face of changing demands

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates face-to-face discussions between collaborators to encourage effective transfer of ideas and records. Develops and maintains positive working relationships to ensure that collaborators are informed of modifications, updates, and improvements to projects in a timely manner.
• Serves as an effective liaison between multiple client groups and stakeholders across various levels of management. Communicates results clearly and concisely and provides progress reports in an organized, consistent manner.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates with CMP staff for the emerging GLP device studies.
• Assists in the preparation and coordination of business development materials and activities for the program. Supports ongoing outreach, pilot programs and project management activities of the department’s major projects/grants. Assists in writing SOP’s and other regulatory requirement documentation.
• Maintains and provides in-services for the HM Faculty Start-Up Guide.
• Provides careful coordination with internal ancillary offices such as technology transfer, legal, grants and contracts, and business practices.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains organized records of successful collaborative projects and participants for all disciplines related to the department/project to be readily available to leadership as well as reporting purposes.
• Coordinates all elements required to translate pre-clinical safety studies (DLP–Good Laboratory Practices) in support of promising medical devices.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understands project objectives, information and ideas presented and delineates plans to achieve deliverables in a specific measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely manner to assist the program and its project goals.
• Manages and maintains project-relevant information and documentation needed from project conception to completion as well as maintaining regulatory and milestone (financial) records as required for each study.
• Coordinates with necessary ancillary offices (grants and contracts, legal, IACUC, radiation safety, MITIE, academic departments, etc.) for the financial and regulatory needs of each study.
• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops an inventory of support mechanisms through collaborations and service agreements that may be required for faculty startups such as: “elevator pitches”, market analysis, accounting, IT, incubator space.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s or terminal degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in a health center (academic or clinical)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Preferred

• Portfolio Management Professional (PMP)