Program Manager

Site: The General Hospital Corporation

 

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

 

Job Summary

A full-time Program Manager (PM) is being hired to manage activities, build and maintain program workflows, and oversee a clinical research program for patients at risk of developing chronic pain following orthopaedic injury across the country.

The PM reports to the study Multiple Principal Investigators (PIs), The encumbent will manage a Project Coordinator and Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs). The PM will also coordinate closely with teams at each of the five participating sites, the study’s Data Coordinating Center (DCC), and the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR) within the Department of Psychiatry

The PM will support an NIH/NCCIH-funded UG3/UH3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a mind-body intervention designed to prevent the development of chronic pain and disability among patients at high risk following traumatic orthopaedic injury. The project includes an initial UG3 planning phase focused on protocol finalization, regulatory approvals, staff training, and site readiness, followed by a UH3 efficacy phase that will enroll 510 participants across five sites: Mass General Brigham, the University of Kentucky, Dell Medical School, Vanderbilt University, and Duke University. The overarching goal of this work is to improve long-term recovery and reduce the burden of chronic pain and disability after traumatic orthopaedic injury.

A key operational feature of this trial is a pay-per-participant billing structure, requiring the PM to closely monitor enrollment progress and participant-level billing across all sites. All primary study activities will take place within the MassGeneral Brigham CHOIR. This project is planned to run for 5 years.

This role may be ideal for individuals who have a Master’s or PhD degree and/or who have 5–10 years of project management experience, preferably in clinical research or multi-site trial coordination. Experience with NIH-funded studies, federal regulatory requirements, and clinical trial operations is strongly preferred. This full-time position could accommodate a hybrid in-person/remote work schedule.

This position offers the opportunity to work with a nationally recognized interdisciplinary team advancing mind-body rehabilitation research, and to collaborate with Level 1 trauma centers, orthopedic surgeons, psychologists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers across geographically diverse sites.

Our center and study team are committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. Professional growth and development, along with a sense of community, are core values that we hold. As such, this position would also create opportunities for continued skills advancement and professional development in study and program management.

 

Education
Masters required

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Please note that the functions below are representative of major duties that are typically associated with this position. Specific responsibilities may vary based on study needs.

• Create and manage study deliverable timelines according to programmatic and sponsor-specified milestones.
• Work closely with the MPIs and the TOR investigative team to ensure all study activities are completed accurately and on schedule, and serve as the primary point of contact for operational and logistical coordination across sites.
• Oversee implementation of UG3 and UH3 phase milestones, including IRB submissions, site start-up activities, staff training and certification, run-in enrollment, and transition to the full efficacy trial per NCCIH requirements.
• Create systems for ensuring and maintaining compliance with applicable federal regulations, IRB requirements, and institutional policies and procedures.
• Conduct and/or supervise other research staff in preparing, submitting, amending, maintaining, and following study protocols.
• Create and or supervise systems for maintaining program information and study databases.
• Create and/or supervise systems for quality monitoring and assurance.
• Coordinate study activities and function as a resource for all study issues.
• Develop and manage program communication plans.
• Provide supervision in aspects of the data collection process, including email communications and electronic questionnaires.
• Maintain and collaborate with appropriate Research Management staff on updated Biosketches and Other Support documents of personnel.
• Draft and submit Progress Reports and Just-In-Time requests for funding agencies.
• Communicate with Research Management, relevant institutional offices (e.g., Supply Chain, Clinical Trials Office), the TOR Data Coordinating Center (DCC), and scientific collaborators across all study sites.
• Manage processing of institutional study agreements, data use agreements, and subcontracts in coordination with participating sites.
• Prepare budgets and budget components for research sponsors.
• Prepare materials for post-award processes, including revised budgets and progress reports.
• Manage personnel allocations, including updating, tracking, and ensuring proper reporting of study personnel effort.
• Track and monitor study charges and expenses to conduct study activities, including interface with relevant institutional offices (supply chain, research finance)
• Monitor participant enrollment and pay-per-participant billing across all sites; ensure accurate and timely submission of billing records in coordination with site PIs and institutional finance offices.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day activities of assigning work projects, monitoring the progress of all project staff, and directly supervising and evaluating the work of the Project Coordinator and Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), including serving as back-up when needed.
• Travel to sites (as needed but no more than 1 time per year).

Skills and attributes:

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task effectively
• Skilled in identifying opportunities to improve efficiency of research operations and subsequently execute improvements.
• Time management skills with the capability to prioritize among multiple requests from multiple individuals and the ability to change direction in response to a fluctuating work environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing timelines, budgets, and study milestones.
• Ability to monitor site performance and address site-specific issues proactively to ensure smooth operations.
• Ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage diverse teams with different skillsets, work styles, and professional roles.
• Capable of training and mentoring team members in best practices for clinical trial operations and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in managing remote teams and ensuring consistent communication and accountability across sites.
• High personal work standards and sense of urgency about results - Ability to anticipate the needs of the group in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving ability, including the ability to gather information, identify resources, and imagine alternatives.
• Skilled at assessing trial progression and identifying necessary adjustments to ensure project success.
• Demonstrates initiative and identifies key priorities, even in ambiguous situations with limited direction.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and within short time constraints.
• Consistently demonstrates a positive, "can-do" attitude.
• Persistent focus on achieving or exceeding project goals, maintaining high productivity standards even in a challenging environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Expertise in cross-functional communication
• Ability to clarify and distill complex issues to a variety of stakeholders with varying expertise.
• Cognizant and respectful of cultural differences in communication approach
• An ability to build strong relationships, read a room, and influence people at all levels.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn.
• Strong data management and analytical skills for tracking study performance, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Rigorous academic and/or professional background including clinical or research work.