Center for Translational Neurogenetics Program Manager

NextGen Precision Health

The Center for Translational Neurogenetics (CTN) Program Manager provides advanced program management and research coordination for the University of Missouri Center for Translational Neurogenetics, a hub dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of rare neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders. Working closely with the CTN Director, principal investigators, clinical and research teams, patient families, advocacy organizations, industry and foundation partners, and institutional units, the position supports a coordinated translational pipeline from genetic discovery and natural history studies through therapeutic development and early clinical translation.

The Program Manager has primary responsibility for coordinating the operational, regulatory, and administrative activities required to move CTN programs forward, including complex interventional and natural history studies; early-phase, individualized, and gene therapy trials; regulatory and grant administration; sponsor and partner requirements; participant and family engagement; and development of program workflows and infrastructure.

The position serves as a central operational lead across multidisciplinary CTN projects by coordinating teams, tracking milestones and deliverables, resolving operational barriers, and aligning scientific, clinical, regulatory, contractual, and partnership activities. The role also supports the continued growth of CTN as a scalable rare-disease translational platform and helps position Missouri as a destination for innovative early-phase and individualized therapeutic development.

This position does not formally supervise University employees but provides work leadership, operational coordination, and subject-matter guidance to research staff and multidisciplinary collaborators supporting CTN programs and studies.

Essential Functions

Clinical Research Program Management and Study Coordination, 30%

* Manage the day-to-day operations of multidisciplinary interventional trials, natural history studies, and other clinical research activities supporting translational neurogenetics programs including programs focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
* Develop protocol-specific coordination plans and manage study timelines, sponsor requirements, deliverables, participant visits, and cross-functional responsibilities.
* Coordinate clinical, research, and administrative activities among investigators, research coordinators, healthcare providers, study participants, institutional departments, and external partners.
* Provide work leadership and operational guidance to research staff and collaborators supporting assigned studies.
* Identify and resolve operational issues and escalate safety, regulatory, contractual, or strategic concerns to the appropriate investigator or program leader..

Regulatory and Research Compliance, 20%

* Coordinate IRB submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, study documentation, protocol adherence, and other institutional or sponsor requirements.
* Maintain accurate and complete regulatory files and research records in accordance with applicable protocols, institutional standards, and sponsor requirements.
* Coordinate reporting and follow-up related to protocol deviations, safety concerns, adverse events, and other compliance matters.
* Support study registration, data reporting, and maintenance activities involving ClinicalTrials.gov, REDCap, and other research management systems.
* Help ensure the clinical, regulatory, and scientific integrity of assigned studies.

Participant Recruitment, Enrollment, and Engagement, 15%

* Develop and implement strategies to increase participant recruitment and enrollment in interventional and non-interventional ALS and neurogenetics research studies.
* Coordinate participant screening, enrollment, scheduling, study visits, procedures, and retention activities.
* Establish tracking methods to monitor recruitment, enrollment, retention, and research productivity.
* Partner with clinical teams and patient-navigation resources to improve communication and the participant experience.
* Identify and address barriers affecting participation, particularly for individuals and families in rural Missouri.

Program Development and External Partnerships, 15%

* Collaborate with investigators, healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, community partners, industry sponsors, foundations, and funding agencies to advance program and research objectives.
* Support development of local and regional partnerships that improve ALS and neurogenetics education, awareness, early diagnosis, and access to research opportunities.
* Coordinate communications and deliverables involving sponsors, industry partners, foundation partners, and other external stakeholders.
* Support initiatives that strengthen the University's clinical research capacity and ability to attract and retain external research funding.
* Represent assigned programs in meetings and communications with internal and external partners, as appropriate.

Operational, Grant, and Fiscal Coordination, 10%

* Coordinate operational requirements associated with federally, foundation-, and industry-funded studies.
* Track sponsor deliverables, study expenditures, program resources, and grant-related deadlines.
* Support contract and budget development by gathering operational information, identifying study requirements, and coordinating with appropriate University offices.
* Monitor program and study activity to support reporting, planning, and resource allocation.
* Maintain program documentation, standard operating procedures, workflows, and administrative resources.

Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement, 10%

* Evaluate program performance by tracking enrollment, study activity, participant experience, research productivity, and other relevant metrics.
* Identify operational challenges and recommend improvements to research processes, participant engagement, and program delivery.
* Develop and maintain procedures and resources that promote consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.
* Prepare reports, presentations, updates, and other materials for investigators, program leadership, sponsors, and stakeholders.
* Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00 p.m. occasional nights and weekends

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications
* Certified Clinical Research Professional, Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, or comparable research certification.
* Experience coordinating early-phase interventional clinical trials.
* Experience with gene therapy studies, individualized trial designs, or rare-disease research.
* Experience working with ALS patients, neurogenetics populations, or individuals with complex neurological conditions.
* Experience performing or supporting minor clinical procedures, biospecimen collection, processing, or laboratory coordination.
* Experience working within a multidisciplinary academic clinical research environment.
* Experience interacting with research sponsors, advocacy organizations, foundation partners, and community healthcare providers.
* Experience developing participant recruitment, education, or outreach initiatives for rural or historically underserved populations.

Supervision and Work Leadership
This position does not have formal supervisory responsibility for University employees. However, the position provides work leadership and coordinates activities performed by research coordinators, clinical personnel, investigators, students, trainees, and other collaborators supporting assigned programs and studies.
The position may assign or coordinate project responsibilities, monitor timelines and deliverables, provide training or procedural guidance, and facilitate accountability across multidisciplinary project teams.

Salary Range: $70,512.00 - $108,000.00 per year

Grade: GGS 012

University Title: Research Consultant SR

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application, Cover Letter, Resume

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.