Senior Program Manager

Role Description

The Research Management team within the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) seeks a Senior Program Manager. This position works closely with DFCM Vice Chair for Research to oversee all daily operations of the DFCM’s Research enterprise. This position is responsible for the management of several staff positions that provide research and scholarship support services to the entire department.

The RMT Senior Program Manager works under the direction of the Vice Chair for Research (VCR). The VCR develops the DFCM strategic vision for research and establishes requisites for the work of the RMT. The core/primary responsibility of the RMT Senior Program Manager is to manage the RMT to accomplish this vision and according to the requisites designated.

The RMT Senior Program Manager is required to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance regarding specific tasks. The RMT Senior Program Manager must synthesize fluid information; be able to multi-task; plan and manage multiple simultaneous activities; prioritize, plan, and manage own workload and the work of the team; document processes through completion; provide timely project updates; communicate effectively with others; and be amenable to changing courses and iteratively revising plans and processes as needed. The RMT Senior Program Manager must effectively balance the competing demands of administrative tasks, supervisory responsibilities, other core work responsibilities, new/emergent work, tracking, and reporting.

• Manage the daily work of the Research Management Team (RMT).
• Supervise 3-4 RMT staff, including weekly 1:1 meetings and performance review responsibilities.
• Provide oversight, support, & training for Contracts & Grants Administration team.
• Liaise with PreAward & PostAward as needed.
• Provide faculty & resident IRB Support: Serve as the first point of contact and resource for faculty, residents, and students seeking guidance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions.
• Develop & lead the DFCM Principal Investigator (PI) Academy: Develop and direct the DFCM PI Academy, a program designed to train and support faculty in becoming successful principal investigators.
• Develop & lead Research Opportunity Management: Develop and oversee the identification and tracking of research opportunities using the Pivot funding database and UNM Office of Research notices.
• Provide ClinicalTrials.gov supports.
• Provide faculty and resident consults and supports within scope.
• Triage faculty requests to other team members as appropriate.
• Conduct presentations to residents as needed.
• Lead and execute the DFCM annual Scholars Day event (October-July).
• Lead and execute completion of RMT portion of the Annual Report to the School of Medicine (July-October).
• Lead and execute RMT Metrics Report (January—begins 2026).
• Ensure tracking of RMT work and processes.
• Ensure proper use/storage of RMT data.
• Monthly reports:
  • Report on RMT Accomplishments to Vice Chair for DFCM Leadership Committee.
  • Report on Faculty Assistance and Priority Faculty Assistance Gap analysis, Follow-up, & Reporting.
  • Report on Scholarship Opportunity Analysis, Dissemination, & Reporting.
  • Report on RMT Task Tracking.
  • Report on Contracts & Grants.
• Quarterly report: Provide quarterly report on RMT work at Quarterly Scholars meetings.
• Lead RMT meetings (weekly + monthly).
• Assist Faculty, the VCR, and DFCM leadership with other tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified; two of which are management level experience.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Requirements

• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Effective, clear communication, both oral and in writing.
• Ability to engage in effective oral and written dialogue.
• Ability to work, report, and share information transparently both orally and in writing.
• Ability to track work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to document conversations and meetings through notes with or without using AI technology.
• Ability to provide drafts, products, deliverables, or descriptions of specific activities as requested.
• Ability to provide drafts, updates or final products with short turn-around time when necessary.
• Ability to work independently with indirect supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and manage own workload and the workload of the team.
• Ability to operate in a fluid, complex environment and lead multiple streams of work.
• Ability to change course when necessary.
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and pursue multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to make professional judgements and decisions regarding work priorities and strategies.
• Ability to train, supervise, manage, and oversee the activities of a team of staff and students.
• Ability to follow required protocols, processes, and procedures.
• Understanding of research processes including data collection, analyses, and dissemination of findings.
• Understanding of academic contracts and grants administration.
• Understanding of fiscal management and budget development.
• Understanding of federal, state, local, and foundation contracts and grants submission and funding mechanisms.

Benefits

• This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs.