Operations Manager, Clinical Studies

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we have cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for an Operations Manager, Clinical Studies in the Clinical Research Department
. This position can be home-based.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, grant funded opportunity. Current funding will expire on October 31, 2027, with the potential for funding renewal and role extension beyond that date.

The Manager, Operations is responsible for day‑to‑day management of Clinical Research Department operations, including budget management, contract management and reporting. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Operations and supports the establishment and implementation of best‑practice operational standards. Additionally, it supports the Senior Director of Clinical Studies in special projects related to department and team objectives as needed.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work‑life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award‑winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

• Responsible for and handling operations, such as accounting, expense reporting, and procurement; and forming relationships with legal, external vendors, and partners to ensure that the overall business goals are achieved. Develops reports, trackers, or assessment tools to ensure compliance, as needed.
• Manage departmental contracting processes, including site and sponsor contracts.
• Work with American Heart Association legal department to establish and negotiate contract terms for hospitals, practices, sponsors, etc. Monitor and track process of associated statuses and documents.
• Utilize vendor and/or American Heart Association systems (e.g., E1, Optimus, iEnvision, etc.) efficiently and competently to process invoices, contracts, requisitions, and expenses.
• Support Senior Manager of Operations to establish budget tracking and reporting across multiple restricted and unrestricted budgets between $50 and $100 million.
• Develop, prepare, and distribute monthly reports on variances to project requirements for leadership. Analyze financial activities from purchasing, contract terms and vendor invoices against budget. Provide reconciliation, mentorship and recommendations.
• Act as lead in program budget preparation and facilitation including communicating procedures, distributing, and completing budget templates, training, and overseeing modifications or revisions. Coordinates with the leadership team for preparation and submission to funding organization or related controls.
• Prepare and manage recurring reports to track related fiscal and legal activities.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience, Master’s Degree preferred.
• 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Comprehensive experience applying the principles and practices of accounting, financial analysis, budget analysis and general business administration.
• Experience in grant project management, preferably in healthcare space, including clinical trials.
• Extensive knowledge of budgeting, financial and reporting processes for service agreements and/or grants.
• Proficient in large‑scale purchasing, budget projection and planning, variance analysis, and reconciliation requirements. Ability to analyze financial data and interpret into narrative form.
• Excell…