Manager, Research Operations - Clinical Trial & Grant Administration

Summary

The Manager of Research Operations provides comprehensive leadership and oversight for the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and financial stewardship. This role is pivotal in supporting the Center’s mission to advance vaccine research through strategic planning, resource management, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The Vaccine Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine is dedicated to advancing human health by developing innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases through cutting-edge research and education. The Center supports ongoing vaccine and antimicrobial programs, fosters collaborations with experts in systems biology, immunogenetics, molecular virology, and cellular immunology, and expands research initiatives in both animal models and human studies to enable hypothesis-driven discoveries. It also provides critical bioinformatics and statistical expertise to strengthen data analysis and drives educational programs designed to train the next generation of vaccinologists. Because the VRC’s research portfolio primarily consists of clinical and pre-clinical trials, the preferred candidate should have recent experience with clinical trial agreements and managing grants, that includes both pre- and post-award activities.

Work schedule will be 4 days onsite and 1 day offsite within the Greater Houston, TX area. The position will be housed at Main Baylor.

Job Duties

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Partner with faculty and leadership to develop and implement strategies for growth, including space utilization, faculty recruitment, and workforce planning.
• Participate in high-level decision-making regarding staffing adjustments and resource allocation.

Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Oversee regulatory documentation and compliance for clinical trials and research activities.
• Coordinate Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs) with investigators and institutional offices.
• Collaborate with regulatory staff to resolve inquiries from agencies and sponsors.

Financial & Grant Administration

• Manage all aspects of pre- and post-award grant administration, including proposal development, budgeting, and reporting.
• Monitor financial transactions for compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports; review effort certifications and manage PEPT cost entries.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Act as liaison between investigators, sponsors, CROs, NIH, and collaborating institutions.
• Represent the Center in sponsor meetings and teleconferences to ensure smooth administrative and financial coordination.

Human Resources Oversight

• Direct recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management for administrative staff.
• Ensure salary equity and compliance with institutional policies.
• Provide dual oversight of nursing and research coordinator teams through collaboration with the Head Research Nurse.

Operational Management

• Approve laboratory and clinic orders, travel requests, expense reports, and purchasing card transactions.
• Respond to departmental inquiries regarding budgets, salary sources, and expenditures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the Center’s mission and operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong leadership, regulatory compliance expertise, grant management, and excellent communication skills.
• Experience in academic research administration or clinical trial operations and clinical trial agreements.
• Familiarity with NIH funding mechanisms and university financial systems.
• Advanced degree in business administration, public health, or related field.
• Certified Research Administrator certification through the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) will be a plus.