University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Project Manager A/B (Palliative Research Center)

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project A

Job Description Summary

The Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center is seeking to expand its team of experienced project managers to support a portfolio of pragmatic, randomized, multi-site clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of palliative care interventions for seriously ill hospitalized patients. The mission of the PAIR Center is to generate high-quality evidence to advance healthcare policies and practices that improve the lives of all people affected by serious illness and remove the barriers to health equity that seriously ill patients commonly face.

The first trial seeks to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of generalist and specialist palliative care on patient-centered outcomes and equity of palliative care delivery among seriously ill patients admitted to two large U.S. health systems. The second trial will assess the effectiveness of an automated palliative care needs “trigger” in the electronic health record (EHR) combined with a behavioral intervention for clinicians across nine hospitals within MedStar Health.

The project managers will work closely with the Principal Investigator(s) and external research partners to effectively operationalize these trials. Specifically, the project managers will: monitor study enrollment and protocol adherence; supervise research staff; communicate with data managers and analysts regarding data processing and acquisition efforts; facilitate analysis and reporting on study metrics (data safety, compliance, benchmarks for enrollment, and finances); and contribute to manuscript writing. The project managers will be responsible for ensuring all study protocols are carried out consistently and appropriately across all clinical sites and ensuring that the projects remain within scope, budget, and timeline.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of study protocols in conjunction with multiple investigators and clinical site partners

• Oversee the daily operations of the clinical trial, including study enrollment, intervention adherence, timely completion of project milestones, and supervision of research staff

• Liaise with data managers and analysts to streamline development of study databases, EHR-based interventions and reports, data acquisition protocols, statistical analysis plans, and reporting for study monitoring (data safety, subject accrual, outcomes assessment, adherence to protocols)

• Interface with clinical sites to ensure consistency and quality in study implementation

• Manage regulatory compliance for clinical research, including IRB submissions and progress report to trial sponsors

• Coordinate team and stakeholder meetings, document decision-making, develop manual of procedures

• Contribute to study design, methods, interpretation of results, and manuscript development

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

  Project Manager B (PM-B): In addition to performing all duties above, the PM-B’s purview will stretch beyond implementation to significant contributions to progress reports, manuscript development, and presentations. They will co-author manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. They will also assist with development of grant proposals and lead subprojects, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Project Manager A: Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of prior experience in complex health services research or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Project Manager B: Master’s degree and 3-5 years experience in complex health services research or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Experience managing projects involving large, complex datasets, electronic health records, or related initiatives is strongly preferred.

Both positions require a demonstrated ability to manage the scope, timelines, and budget of a large study, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. These individuals will function independently in carrying out most responsibilities and must feel comfortable communicating regularly with multiple stakeholders throughout the health system. Desirable skills include experience with randomized clinical trials, prior experience collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and clinicians, and working with patients with serious chronic illnesses.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $81,441.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.