Senior Project Manager, RDTC

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) provides senior-level scientific project leadership for complex preclinical and translational research programs within the Rare Disease Translational Center (RDTC). This role operates with a high degree of independence and accountability, owning project execution across multiple concurrent studies from initiation through completion. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for driving timelines, anticipating and resolving risks, ensuring data quality, and enabling high-quality scientific execution in close partnership with Study Directors, operations teams, and collaborators.

The Rare Disease Translational Center supports the mission of The Jackson Laboratory: to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community to improve human health. The RDTC works closely with foundations and teams of basic and clinical researchers to generate custom mouse models with clinically relevant mutations and advance therapeutic development for rare diseases.

As a senior individual contributor and project leader, the Senior Project Manager independently manages complex, cross-functional preclinical programs and serves as the primary owner of day-to-day project execution. This role requires strong scientific judgment, the ability to operate autonomously, and the confidence to make decisions in dynamic study environments. The Senior Project Manager plays a leadership role within RDTC by mentoring and training Project Managers and contributing to the development of best practices, workflows, and execution standards across the Center.

Project Ownership and Execution

• Serve as the primary owner of end-to-end project execution for assigned preclinical studies, with accountability for timelines, deliverables, and coordination across teams.
• Represent RDTC on external-facing calls with collaborators, sponsors, or partners as needed, providing clear project updates, alignment on timelines and deliverables, and professional scientific communication.
• Independently manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities and study demands.
• Attention to detail and exceptional organizational approach required
• Partner closely with Study Directors to translate scientific objectives into executable project plans.

Risk Identification, Problem Solving, and Decision-Making

• Proactively identify scientific, technical, and operational risks and take action to mitigate impacts on study timelines or quality.
• Exercise independent judgment to resolve issues, adjust plans, and keep projects moving forward in the face of uncertainty.
• Escalate critical risks or decision points to RDTC leadership with clear context and recommended paths forward.

Study Setup and Coordination

• Lead project initiation and setup activities, including development and oversight of detailed study timelines and resource plans.
• Coordinate with operations and internal teams to ensure studies are executed efficiently and consistently..

Compliance Awareness

• Ensure awareness of, adherence to, and coordination with approved IACUC and IBC protocols and institutional policies throughout study execution.
• Partner with Study Directors and operations teams to identify when protocol updates or amendments may be required.

Data Integrity, Tracking, and Reporting

• Follow established RDTC workflows and standard operating procedures for data collection, tracking, and quality control (QC).
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and traceability across studies, and flag deviations or data quality issues to Study Directors.
• Provide clear, timely project status updates and data summaries to Study Directors, RDTC leadership, and collaborators.

Hands-On Scientific Engagement

• Maintain direct engagement with ongoing studies, including hands-on wet lab or in vivo work as needed to support study execution, troubleshooting, or training.
• Serve as a scientific resource to project teams by providing practical insight into experimental workflows and constraints.

Leadership, Mentorship, and Capacity Building

• Provide mentorship and guidance to Project Managers and other team members, supporting skill development in project execution, prioritization, and scientific judgment.
• Contribute to onboarding and training of new project staff.
• Help establish and refine RDTC project management best practices, tools, and execution standards.

• Master's degree or PhD in a biological or related scientific discipline.
• Significant experience (typically 6-10+ years) supporting or leading preclinical or translational research projects with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently in complex, fast-paced scientific environments.

• Strong foundation in the biological sciences with the ability to understand and support complex preclinical study designs.
• Demonstrated hands-on proficiency with wet bench laboratory techniques.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience supporting in vivo mouse studies, with comfort performing semi-regular work in animal rooms.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with minimal oversight.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills, with the ability to assess study-level implications and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word; SharePoint; and project management or tracking software.
• Strong preference for experience with GraphPad Prism and statistical or other programming tools (e.g., R, RStudio).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and support the development of others.

Education: Master's or PhD required

• Experience: 6 years required; 8-10+ years preferred

Pay Range: $74772 - $125184

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California),Japan andChina. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visitwww.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.