Clinical Research Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Where Purpose Meets Progress

At the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF), your contributions ignite breakthroughs, elevate patient care, and define the future of cardiovascular research and education. As a Clinical Research Manager, you’ll do more than lead a team—you’ll play a vital role in advancing a life-saving mission.

Position Summary

In support of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) mission, the Clinical Research Manager provides managerial and leadership oversight for day-to-day clinical research operations within their designated domain(s) within MHIF Research. The Manager supervises and ensures effective optimization and engagement of the Research Associates, Associate Research Coordinators and Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC’s).

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy and Goals/Clear Direction

• In line with the overall strategy and goals of MHIF, the Manager develops goals and objectives for the unit and cascades them to team members, providing clear alignment and contribution to the greater department goals.
• Regularly communicates key business and technical information of the department and MHIF. Interprets and utilizes this information to design and execute group objectives.

1. Operational Effectiveness
   • Allocates work, delegates assignments, and matches skills to the tasks to ensure that work is assigned at the right level to optimize staff talents and effectiveness.
   • Plans, establishes metrics, oversees and evaluates the execution and productivity of the ongoing operations of the research unit.
   • Oversees and evaluates the group productivity and work quality.
   • Develops and oversees processes and procedures to enhance operational efficiency. Holds team accountable for meeting and/or exceeding SOP requirements.
   • Builds systems and a culture of accountability; creates a culture of learning from success and failure.
   • Develops team quality standards and programs in alignment with organizational quality programs; monitors and maintains quality of unit performance in accordance with internal policies and standards and grant and/or contract parameters
   • May coordinate data compilation and computation, ensuring quality control and compliance with protocol; reviews results for validity and reliability, and provides initial analyses of results
   • Monitors unit’s performance to budget
2. Collaboration, Change and Culture
   • Ensures collaboration with and leverages other teams, programs, and functions. Proactively communicates to ensure alignment and synchrony.
   • Identifies problems, barriers and successes; removes roadblocks and rewards success.
   • Builds and maintains a supportive team environment and cross-functional team relationships.
   • Helps the team through change. Builds a positive team culture and role models and reinforces behaviors that support MHIF values and culture.
3. Budget and Study Portfolio Management
   • Supports study budget contracting and resource allocation.

• Reports on project time allocation and reconciling actual to plan.
• Reports revenue/expenses for responsible projects and implements strategies that improve the overall profitability of the group.
• Makes recommendations regarding study selection.

1. Staffing and Team Member Development

• Evaluates resource need, recommends appropriate type of resource e.g. full or part time, intern, contractor, etc.
• Interviews candidates and leads selection of final hire.
• Ensure effective training and onboarding of new hires.
• Identifies growth needs, provides reinforcing and constructive performance feedback, and provides coaching in the areas of skill, knowledge, performance and behaviors.
• Creates development opportunities for employees and leads development conversations.
• Cultivates an environment and culture which reinforces MHIF values that engages and retains employees.
• Evaluates staff morale listening and reporting on what is working and not working.
• Develops solutions that maintain and/or improve morale and overall staff engagement.

1. Study Support

At times, may serve as an individual contributor assisting in study design, implementation, and administration, ensuring compliance with HRRC (IRB) requirements, Federal/State regulations, and grant and/or contract parameters.

1. Participates in and may play a leader role in organizational, Research or department special projects

Core Values in Action

At MHIF, our values aren’t just words—they guide how we lead and work together:

• Integrity: Do the right thing, even when it’s hard. Operate ethically and transparently.
• Innovation: Ask bold questions. Be proactive and curious in improving how we work.
• Collaboration: Support one another, build trust, and celebrate success as one team.
• Excellence: Own your work. Be accountable. Bring urgency and resilience to solving problems.

What Sets You Apart

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in biologic/medical sciences or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 3 years of experience leading clinical research projects including projects evaluating drugs or devices that are not FDA approved. Must have a track record initiating, executing and completing clinical research projects
• A minimum of 2 years of supervisory/manager experience leading highly skilled clinical/medical personal which may include hiring, training, coaching, developing and managing performance of individuals or equivalent and proven experience in influencing, support, and coaching others
• Clinical Research Coordinator/Professional (CCRC or CCRP) certification
• Good command of clinical trial acumen and sound clinical judgement
• Experience leading teams with a track record of coordinating work with team members
• Versatile and effective interpersonal skills with a wide range of employees and stakeholders
• History of exhibiting personal leadership at MHIF - has worked well during periods of change, has contributed positively to communications, and collaborated effectively across the organization.
• Evidence of being self-aware with emotional maturity, self-management and poise under pressure
• Experience in managing and assessing workflow and assigning and evaluating resources

Preferred:

• Professional degree in medical sciences (RN, RD, Pharm.D, MD, MPH, etc)
• Greater than 5 year’s manager experience within a clinical/medical organization which included responsibilities for budgets, goals, strategies, process improvement, etc.
• Expertise and working knowledge of cardiology.

Leadership Expectations

• Model Our Culture: Demonstrate our core values through action.

• Develop Talent: Empower and support team members.
• Drive Results: Bring clarity and urgency to priorities.
• Champion Change: Embrace improvement and lead others through change.
• Connect the Mission: Help others see the impact of their work.

Total Rewards

In addition to meaningful, mission-driven work, MHIF offers:

• Competitive salary range of $115,000–$125,000
• Comprehensive benefits including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life, short- and long-term disability
• Employer HSA contribution
• 401(k) with employer match and contribution
• Generous PTO, paid holidays, and parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement and paid volunteer time

Why Join MHIF?

“Small team. Global impact.”

Here, your work has purpose. Your voice is heard. Your career can grow. We are driven by discovery and grounded in compassion—and we’re looking for someone who brings both heart and expertise to the table.

Ready to do work that matters?