Program Project Manager

Job Details: Job Location: Torrance Campus - Torrance, CA, Position Type: FT 100% - 40 hours per week (FT Benefit), Salary Range: $110000.00 - $140000.00Salary/year,

ABOUT US

The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) is Los Angeles County's preeminent independent, not-for-profit biomedical research hub, excelling in transforming scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies. With a $90 million annual budget, TLI is home to over 150 investigators and 500 staff, advancing 600 projects in areas such as Infection and Immunity, Cancer, and Women's Health. Founded in 1952, the Institute continues to train physician-scientists and manage healthcare programs for 60,000 underserved families throughout South Los Angeles.

SUMMARY

The Program Project Manager provides scientific, operational, and administrative leadership for a biomedical research laboratory and its technical programs. This position oversees laboratory staff and projects, supports the Director in managing research operations and finances, coordinates with Institute administrative departments and external partners, and ensures that program milestones, grant submissions, reports, regulatory activities, and collaborative commitments are completed accurately and on schedule. The role requires advanced knowledge of molecular biology, cancer biology, translational research, and laboratory research protocols, and develop collaborative research contracts, together with substantial experience leading a research laboratory.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the day-to-day scientific, technical, operational, and administrative activities of the research laboratory.
• Supervise, assign work to, train, and coordinate multiple laboratory technicians and administrative staff; monitor workload, performance, and completion of assigned activities.
• Oversee technical programs within the department, establish project plans and priorities, track milestones and deliverables, and address operational or scientific problems as they arise.
• Apply knowledge of molecular biology and laboratory protocols to guide technicians, evaluate workflows, and troubleshoot laboratory assay and protocol problems.
• Support cancer biology and translational research programs by coordinating scientific activities, resources, documentation, and communication across participating teams.
• Review monthly and annual laboratory finances with the Director and Institute administrators; monitor budgets, expenditures, forecasts, purchasing, and financial reporting.
• Partner with senior Institute administrators in Human Resources, Finance, Contracts and Grants, and other support functions on staffing, financial, contractual, and operational matters.
• Coordinate vendor, collaborator, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology agreements and activities, working with appropriate Institute offices to support compliant and timely execution.
• Support Institutional Review Board matters and other research compliance activities by coordinating submissions, documentation, responses, and follow-up with investigators and administrators.
• Administer grant submissions, progress reports, project reports, and related supporting materials; maintain schedules and ensure required inputs and approvals are obtained.
• Organize laboratory group and department meetings, including agendas, materials, action items, follow-up communication, and coordination of participating staff.
• Coordinate joint programs with Institute collaborators, external research organizations, vendors, and pharmaceutical or biotechnology partners; align staff, resources, timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Assist in grants and contracts submissions.
• Coordinate domestic and international research collaborations with laboratory programs
• Maintain accountability for project deadlines, deliverables, reports, records, and communication of risks, delays, and corrective actions to the Director and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of laboratory, department, and research program objectives.

EDUCATION

Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in molecular biology, cancer biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• More than seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience running or managing a biomedical research laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience supervising multiple laboratory technicians and administrative staff and coordinating work across concurrent programs.
• Advanced understanding of molecular biology methods and laboratory protocols, with the ability to guide staff and troubleshoot laboratory assays and technical problems.
• Working knowledge of cancer biology and translational research principles and practices.
• Experience managing technical programs, schedules, project milestones, deliverables, risks, and reporting requirements.
• Experience reviewing laboratory budgets, expenditures, forecasts, and monthly and annual financial information with scientific and administrative leadership.
• Experience working with senior administrators in Human Resources, Finance, Contracts and Grants, research compliance, and related institutional functions.
• Experience coordinating grant submissions, project reports, IRB-related activities, and vendor or collaborator agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with research institute collaborators, vendors, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.
• Strong leadership, organization, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and hold teams accountable for deadlines and results.

PREFERRED QIUALIFICATIONS

• MSc or PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary translational cancer research programs involving academic, clinical, government, or industry collaborators.
• Experience supporting complex sponsored-research portfolios and agreements with academic institutes, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology organizations.

Background and Health Clearance Required

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace