Research Contracts Project Manager

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.

SUMMARY:

The Senior Project Manager & Contracts Analyst will be responsible for providing project management and coordinating the program close-out of a $38 million/year program and successful transition and/or close-out of dozens of clinical research studies to the successor legal entity. The position provides leadership, project management, technical expertise in clinical research agreements and task orders, decision-making, and strong communication and skills. The incumbent must be able to manage tasks while also performing hands-on execution. Responsibilities include project managing tasks, maintaining strong cross-department and cross-entity collaboration and communication, and quality control of appropriate disposition of contracts. This position will report to the Senior Director of Clinical Research Programs Administration.

This is a remote, time-limited, part-time 50% FTE position that is expected to end on December 31, 2026. At PHI, a time-limited position is defined as regular employment with an expected end date of no more than one year from the beginning of the position. In rare circumstances, time-limited positions may be extended to a maximum total length of up to eighteen (18) months from the start of the employee's original time-limited position, or be converted to a regular position that is no longer time-limited.

Full salary range for this position: $112,565 to $171,086 per year based on 100% FTE. The hiring range for this position is from $56,283 (minimum) to $70,913 (midpoint), based on 50% FTE. The starting salary is determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.

Employment Type: Part Time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Review contract documents, data in systems of record, and files to identify agreements corresponding to transferring studies.
• Draft assignment letters using templates for external partners; analyze contracts for constraints.
• Draft study transition appendices to successor fiscal sponsor and ensure transitioning document lists and files are complete.

• Build and manage Smartsheet trackers for industry and non-industry funded study transitions and closeouts; monitor status of active and upcoming transitions and coordinate required steps; monitor communications and reconcile discrepancies in agreement files.
• Analyze contracts and determine whether contracts allow assignment or if cancellation is needed.
• Coordinate assignment notices and cancellations; conduct due diligence to ensure complete and accurate files tracked in Smartsheet and internal PHI file structures and systems.
• Coordinate with internal teams to send appropriate notices and documents to external partners and appropriately file communications.
• Communicate deadlines for actions internally and monitor progress toward transition and closeout milestones.

• Manage weekly check-ins with leadership to assess delays, risks, and escalation needs; reorganize priorities based on evolving program needs.
• Liaise between central administration, CRST, and external partners to ensure alignment.
• Support program transition team with quality control, contract interpretation, and workflow optimization.
• Maintain contract records and update databases for reporting and audit readiness.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in project management, award management of government and/or industry funded contracts, and contract review and drafting.
• Expertise in working with outside collaborators.
• 2 years of experience working with Children's Oncology Group program.
• Prior experience with major program start-up, close-out, and/or transition.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public health, life sciences, or related field; or substitute with 4 additional years of related experience.

Other Qualifications

• Prior experience working at Public Health Institute preferred.
• Knowledge of clinical research contracting terminology, federal sponsor rules, due diligence, project management, and familiarity with Children's Oncology Group or Similar clinical trial program.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use independent judgment and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; and Smartsheet.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and/or Salesforce preferred.
• Master's or law degree preferred.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) STATUS

This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

The Public Health Institute is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. To this end, the PHI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics.

For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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We're so pleased the Public Health Institute is an organization you would like to work with. Do you have questions about this opportunity? If so, email our recruitment team at Recruitment@phi.org.

Additional information about PHI's benefits and compensation offerings can be found here.

The Public Health Institute is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 48 hours in advance at Recruitment@phi.org.