Research Manager

Overview Tomato-Cage Analytics LLC is a small, statistics-focused contract research organization (CRO) based in Cleveland, Ohio. We are seeking an experienced Research Manager to serve as a key operational and business development leader on a 6-month contract engagement. In this senior role, you will be the primary point of contact for incoming clients across a range of industries and research domains, manage the full lifecycle of grant proposals, and lead contractor staffing efforts for C2C and 1099 engagements. You will work closely with senior statisticians and firm leadership to ensure our research services are delivered with precision, professionalism, and scientific integrity. This is a high-ownership role well-suited to a self-directed professional who thrives at the intersection of research operations, business development, and people management. Key Responsibilities Client Intake & Relationship Management Serve as the first point of contact for prospective clients, conducting intake calls and needs assessments to scope research engagements Present pitch deck to prospective clients, advertising our services and marketing our value Translate client objectives into well-defined project briefs and statements of work in collaboration with senior statisticians Maintain and grow a portfolio of client relationships across clinical, federal, academic, and industry sectors Manage client communication throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment on timelines, deliverables, and scope Identify and track relevant funding opportunities from NIH, NSF, and other federal, state, and private sponsors Lead the preparation and submission of grant proposals, including writing or coordinating the research strategy, budget justification, biosketches, and all required attachments Manage internal review cycles, pre-submission compliance checks, and submission logistics via application-specific portals Maintain a grants calendar and track awarded and pending funding; support post-award compliance and reporting as needed Contractor Staffing (C2C / 1099) Source, screen, and present qualified statistical consultants and researchers for client-sponsored or grant-funded contract positions Manage the full contractor submission process: resume tailoring, skills matching, rate negotiation, and onboarding documentation Build and maintain a bench of pre-vetted contractors across specializations including biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, survey methodology, and data science Coordinate with clients and contractors to ensure contract terms, deliverables, and compliance requirements are clearly understood Operations & Administration Develop and refine internal processes for client intake, proposal management, and contractor deployment Track project status, resource allocation, and revenue pipeline using CRM and project management tools Ensure all activities comply with applicable regulations, including federal contracting requirements, data use agreements, and IRB protocols where relevant Statistical Analysis, AI Training, & Software Testing When assigned, serve as a primary statistical consultant and researcher for targeted, tailored opportunities with clients (e.g., mixed-methods research, DEI content expertise, community-based research) When assigned, serve as an AI training content expert, on fields including AI prompts, data integrity tracking, research methodology, software testing, and data science. Engage in internal AI automation testing and data generation techniques, creating data for internal tracking purposes and efficiency optimization Test internally generated software apps and products, including software-as-a-service (SaaS) products, identifying problems and solutions before products are deployed in pilot studies. Qualifications Required Master’s degree in a quantitative or research-oriented field (statistics, biostatistics, public health, economics, or related discipline); Doctoral degree strongly preferred 6+ years of experience in research management, grants administration, or CRO/consulting operations Demonstrated experience writing and submitting successful grant proposals to federal sponsors (NIH, NSF, or equivalent) Familiarity with contract research, consulting, or staffing environments, particularly involving independent contractors (1099/C2C) Strong working knowledge of research methodology and statistics sufficient to scope projects and assess contractor qualifications Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences High degree of organization and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines Preferred Experience across multiple research domains, including clinical/pharmaceutical, government/federal, academic, and industry-sponsored research Proficiency with federal submission systems (Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SAM.gov, FPDS) Familiarity with IRB processes, data use agreements, and federal contracting regulations (FAR) Experience using CRM platforms and project management tools (e.g., Jira) Prior experience in a small organization or startup environment where ownership and initiative are essential Tomato-Cage Analytics LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tomato-Cage Analytics LLC