Director, Research Support (ECHO Project)

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The School of Nursing and Health Studies has a great opportunity for a Director, Research Support (ECHO Project) to work at the Coral Gables Campus.

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of a research project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under supervision of the PI, this role involves strategic planning, project management, research oversight, budget management, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful execution of the study objectives. Moreover, this employee will engage in complex and specialized research activities in furtherance of the University’s research goals and objectives.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                                          

Strategic planning:

Maintains current knowledge of the methods and techniques related to the specific field of research.

Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve the research objectives outlined in the NIH-ECHO protocol.

Establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables to guide the progress of the study.

Monitors projects to ensure positive project evaluations, future sustainability, and benefits.

Oversees research initiatives and database personnel.

Project Management:

Maintains daily operations and performs procedures related to new and on-going research projects. 

Coordinate activities among research staff, clinical partners, and community partners to ensure the efficient execution of the study.

Monitor and evaluate progress towards study goals, identifying and addressing any obstacles or deviations from the protocol.

Participates in various University research councils, committees, and research organizations.

Research Oversight:

Provide technical leadership to ensure the integrity and quality of research activities.

Oversee data collection, analysis, and interpretation, ensuring adherence to research protocols and regulatory requirements.

Keeps abreast of latest literature in the field and searches for references to technical problems.

Assists the PI with data management and review and assures that all data quality control procedures are fulfilled.

Serves as liaison to federal agencies and other funding sources.

Budget Management:

Manage the study budget in accordance with NIH guidelines and institutional policies.

Monitor expenditures, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure efficient allocation of resources.

Creates reports detailing grant spending and ensures that investigators are appropriately using funding.

Reviews monthly institutional reports of research accounts and works with investigators to resolve discrepancies.

Screens department budget, assists in the assignment of expenditures, and identifies areas of opportunity for cost-saving.

Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures. Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures. Participant Recruitment and Retention:

Oversee day-to-day schedule of participant recruitment and assign RAs to recruitment locations based on assessment of patient volume.

Work alongside the PI and ECHO leadership team to develop and implement retention strategies.

Submit participant compensation weekly and maintain required documentation for petty cash reconciliation.

Collaboration and Communication:

Foster collaboration and communication among team members, stakeholders, and funding agencies.

Facilitate regular meetings, discussions, and presentations to disseminate research findings and solicit feedback.

Compliance and Reporting:

Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguard University assets.

Ensure compliance with NIH regulations, institutional policies, and ethical standards governing research activities.

Prepare and submit progress reports and other documentation required by the NIH, the University of Miami, and other relevant entities.

Assist with recording, organizing, and writing experimental results for submission of manuscripts and for scientific presentations.

Assists the PI with writing, preparing, and submitting manuscripts.

Develops reports summarizing research activity within the department on a regular basis.

Maintains current knowledge of institutional and external policies and procedures to ensure compliance.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                                         

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

Master’s degree in relevant field, preferred

Certification and Licensing:

Not Applicable

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.  The candidate must be fluent in English and Spanish, and preference will be given to individuals with experience in managing large-scale maternal-child health and/or health disparities research.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Knowledge of business and management principles.

• Ability to direct, manage, implement, and evaluate department operations.

• Ability to establish department goals, and objectives that support the strategic plan.

• Ability to effectively plan, delegate and/or supervise the work of others.

• Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and train others.

• Ability to manage confidential information and oversee complex projects.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

• Excellent communication – verbal and written, interpersonal and organizational skills, and a collaborative management style.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Department Specific Functions

Work with the principal investigator to manage active research studies focused on maternal-child health in addition to the Miami ECHO study. Manage IRB submissions and modifications. Coordinate community-based and clinic-based data collection. Develop and maintain partnership with clinical and community-based collaborators. Train research staff on specific duties and responsibilities and serve as the cohort trainer for the Miami cohort. Contribute with the development of research protocol, reports, and publications. Manage the ordering and purchasing of all study materials including but not limited to data collection supplies, recruitment materials, and laboratory supplies. Manage the ordering, purchasing, and maintenance of all required reagents and supplies for laboratory activities, and monitors and maintains inventory of supplies and stocks. Assists with the maintenance of institutional biosafety, laboratory safety records, and standard operating procedures. Manage communication with ECHO leadership team and serve as the liaison between the ECHO components and the ECHO investigators and staff at the University of Miami cohort. Oversight of Miami-ECHO recruitment team of 4-6 research associates

Manages the recruitment team’s schedule and assigns each individual to their weekly locations.

Assures that recruitment team meets monthly recruitment milestones.

Leads weekly and monthly meetings with recruitment team.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

Pay Grade:

A14