Project Research Manager - Remote

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities.

Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while
Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Project Research Manager I is a client-facing research operations role within Optum Epidemiology responsible for leading the operational execution of complex real-world evidence, pharmacoepidemiology, and observational research studies for commercially funded projects. This role also provides support on federally funded projects under the direction of the lead Project Director. The Project Research Manager I partners with study sponsors, epidemiologists, research scientists, analysts, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with scientific, contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.

Unlike a traditional IT or general healthcare project management position, this role is focused on managing research studies in highly regulated scientific environments. The Project Research Manager I brings structure to complex projects and keeps multidisciplinary teams aligned around responsibilities, dependencies, risks, deadlines, and key decisions.

The successful candidate will combine strong project leadership with an understanding of research operations. This individual will be comfortable managing client relationships, study documentation, timelines, project finances, contracts, quality requirements, and cross-functional teams while maintaining the rigor needed to support audit-ready research.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely
* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

• Project Leadership
  • Lead the day-to-day operational management of complex real-world evidence (RWE), pharmacoepidemiology, and observational research studies from initiation through closeout
  • Develop and maintain detailed project timelines, workplans, budgets, resource allocations, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables
  • Ensure projects are executed in accordance with applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs), contractual commitments, policies, and regulatory requirements
  • Partner with scientific and operational leadership to translate project objectives into actionable plans and facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams
  • Ensure work products follow required SOP processes and meet contractual requirements
  • Identify required internal and external approvals and facilitate study approval submissions in collaboration with the project team
  • Monitor subcontractor activities, deliverables, timelines, performance, compliance, and associated financial commitments
  • Prepare federally mandated reports and plans in collaboration with appropriate team members, including risk management, transition, communication, project management, staffing, monthly progress, subcontractor, data management, quality management, and responsibility plans or charts
  • Support the development and improvement of project management resources, templates, guidelines, and operating practices for the Epidemiology organization
  • Contribute to a working…