Program Manager

Operations Support Specialist Industry Partnerships

As a premier, research-intensive academic medical center, the University of Michigan Medical School is world renowned with more than $700 million in external research funding. The Medical School Office of Research proudly supports our internationally recognized investigators pursuing innovative science to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, the citizens of Michigan, and beyond. The Medical School O/ice of Research team is constantly striving to enhance the research enterprise, including maintaining an investigator-focused infrastructure, facilitating and diversifying investigators' avenues for funding and streamlining research processes.

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) is a program within the University of Michigan Medical School Office of Research (OoR). FFMI serves as the Medical School's strategic gateway for industry engagement, connecting life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and digital health organizations with the university's world-class clinical, research, and educational capabilities. Through collaborative partnerships, FFMI accelerates industry-sponsored research, education, and innovation initiatives that advance science and improve patient care.

FFMI's Business Development program focuses on:

• Developing and managing strategic partnerships with industry across research, education, and clinical innovation.
• Connecting industry partners with University of Michigan faculty, clinicians, and research resources to advance mutually beneficial collaborations.
• Designing and supporting industry-sponsored research, educational programs, and specialized service offerings that leverage Michigan Medicine's expertise.
• Identifying new partnership opportunities that expand external engagement, strengthen institutional relationships, and generate sustainable support for the Medical School's research mission.

Responsibilities*

Position Summary The Operations Support Specialist Industry Partnerships serves as the operational leader responsible for executing and managing FFMI's portfolio of industry-sponsored programs and strategic initiatives. Working closely with the FFMI Business Development team, this position translates newly established industry partnerships into successfully executed programs by leading project management, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, and developing scalable operational processes.

The position is responsible for operationalizing industry-sponsored educational programs, supporting FFMI's Fast Track Clinical Trials Program, and implementing new industry-sponsored service offerings. This role works collaboratively with faculty, research administration, finance, contracting, compliance, conference services, and other institutional partners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in accordance with University policies and sponsor expectations. Success in this role requires exceptional project management, organizational, communication, and relationship management skills with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple complex initiatives while continuously improving operational efficiency across FFMI's growing industry partnership portfolio.

Impact of the Position The Operations Support Specialist Industry Partnerships plays a critical role in enabling FFMI's mission by ensuring that industry partnerships developed by the Business Development team are efficiently operationalized and successfully delivered. This position directly contributes to expanding industry-sponsored research, educational programming, and strategic collaborations while improving institutional efficiency, enhancing sponsor experience, and supporting the long-term growth of FFMI's industry partnership portfolio.

Essential Functions

• Develops standardized workflows, project management tools, and standard operating procedures supporting FFMI's expanding portfolio of industry-sponsored programs.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports operational metrics related to project performance, turnaround times, sponsor satisfaction, and program outcomes.
• Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency and leads continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Assists with implementation of new FFMI service offerings and strategic initiatives as organizational priorities evolve.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and supporting documentation for leadership, sponsors, and institutional stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public health, life sciences, project management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize work, manage deadlines, and drive projects to successful completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.

Desired Qualifications*

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean, Six Sigma, or other project management certification.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing complex programs or projects in an academic medical center, healthcare system, research enterprise, life sciences organization, or related environment.
• Experience with CRM, project management, or workflow management platforms such as Zoho CRM, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Sharepoint, Tableau or similar software.
• Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional initiatives involving multiple institutional stakeholders.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Strategic thinking with strong operational execution.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement scalable solutions.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This is a one-year, term-limited position.

Background Screening

University of Michigan Health System conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.