Job Title: Senior Research Manager

Reports to: Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center

Initial Salary Range: $91,000 - $110,000 annually

Benefits: Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance, Retirement Contributions, PTO, and Paid Holidays

Funded Through: July 30th, 2027

Classification: Salaried, Exempt

Status: Full-Time (1.00 FTE), Regular w/ Benefits

Location: Portland, OR

JOB SUMMARY

Position Summary

The Senior Research Manager (SRM) manages day-to-day research coordination for the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) program, which addresses overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain, and is housed within the Northwest Regional Research Center (NWRRC). The SRM is responsible for project tracking, award implementation, Tribal research support, training and event coordination, Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, data-quality support, grant reporting, and related research administration. The SRM serves as a central liaison among Principal Investigators (PIs), project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funders to support timely, compliant, culturally responsive, and successful project outcomes.

Phase I of N CREW is funded through 2027. Phase II is projected following Phase I and NPAIHB will apply for Phase II funding. The N CREW Program is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, which is jointly managed by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). More information about N CREW can be found here.

The SRM must have advanced knowledge of research project and grant administration, protection of human subjects in research, Tribal research engagement, and data-governance principles. This position requires strong skills in project management, technical writing, research coordination, stakeholder communication, and independent problem-solving, including the ability to organize complex award activities and produce accurate, polished work under deadline.

The SRM coordinates day-to-day activities of the N CREW Team within the NWRRC, which supports community-engaged research addressing overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain. The team includes approximately four (4) staff, investigators, and affiliated partners.

The SRM reports to the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center. This scope of work is housed within the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center Division. This position is based at NPAIHB's offices in Portland, Oregon and is expected to work on-site in accordance with applicable workplace and telework policies, including attendance at designated in-person meetings and activities. Local travel and overnight travel outside of the area are required. See "Travel Requirements" for more information.

Essential Functions

N CREW Research Excellence and Success
• Advances NPAIHB's N CREW research activities in alignment with priorities established by member Tribes, the Strategic Plan, and applicable Tribal, federal, state, organizational, and/or funding priorities
• Actively promotes an organizational culture of professional excellence, integrity, rigor, service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Acts as a central liaison for N CREW research activities among PIs, project staff, participating Tribes, community advisors, partner organizations, and funding agencies to promote coordinated, timely, culturally responsive, and effective work
• Leads proactive planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts to identify needs, address barriers, and advance desired outcomes
• Monitors emerging needs, trends, risks, opportunities, and external developments affecting the N CREW program and communicates material information to appropriate staff and leadership

Research Project Management and Award Implementation
• Manages day-to-day N CREW award implementation in accordance with the Notice of Award, approved work plans, timelines, budgets, research protocols, organizational policies, and applicable requirements
• Leads collaboration and compliance among projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet applicable goals, requirements, and NPAIHB Strategic Plan objectives and priorities
• Establishes and maintains internal grant and project tracking systems to monitor timelines, deliverables, Tribal requests, training and technical-assistance requests, interested Tribes, approvals, and required follow-up, including use of ClickUp or other project management software system
• Applies proactive project-management practices to organize complex work, manage competing priorities, and meet project goals, deliverables, reporting deadlines, and fiscal requirements
• Coordinates and participates in NPAIHB and national N CREW meetings, meetings with NIH, and other project discussions to organize activities, clarify responsibilities, resolve barriers, and maintain shared accountability
• Coordinates cross-functional work, including dependencies, approvals, contributions, deadlines, and required follow-up
• Tracks progress toward grant goals, objectives, milestones, budgets, and work plans, and collaborates with PIs to review evaluation findings, identify barriers, and support necessary adjustments
• Coordinates and oversees Community Advisory Board meetings, including quarterly meetings, ongoing planning sessions, materials, logistics, and resulting follow-up actions
• Manages and coordinates research-related trainings and events, including preparation of materials, participant communications, attendance tracking, and follow-up

Research Compliance, Data Governance, and Quality Assurance
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, research protocols, organizational policies, professional standards, and other requirements governing N CREW activities
• Coordinates IRB submissions, revisions, review feedback, continuing-review requirements, and other necessary actions for the Portland Area IRB and applicable Tribal IRBs or research review boards
• Ensures adherence to applicable human-subjects protections and Institutional Review Board requirements for clinical research, surveillance, and/or evaluation
• Conducts review of research documentation, project records, data processes, and work products for accuracy, quality, consistency, completeness, and compliance
• Supports quality assurance, quality control, risk management, and continuous quality-improvement practices for the collection, tracking, management, and analysis of Tribal data that respond to the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and strengthen the quality and effectiveness of the N CREW program
• Coordinates the identification, assessment, communication, and resolution of compliance risks, quality concerns, process gaps, and necessary corrective actions
• Maintains appropriate data systems, protocols, documentation, confidentiality protections, and data-governance practices that uphold Tribal data sovereignty

Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination
• Coordinates and supports research, data collection, evaluation, and other data-informed activities related to N CREW
• Implements data-collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and quality-control processes in collaboration with PIs and other study-team members
• Supports analysis and interpretation of findings and uses results to guide project implementation, service improvement, decision-making, and the development of Tribally based best practices
• Prepares substantive reports, briefs, presentations, training materials, and other products that communicate research, evaluation, or project findings
• Supports presentation and dissemination of project information and findings in Tribal, community, regional, and national settings

Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Assistance
• Strengthens relationships with NPAIHB member Tribes, Tribal health programs, the Indian Health Service, government agencies, funders, community partners, consultants, and other stakeholders
• Represents the NPAIHB and its N CREW Project at meetings, conferences, events, committees, and workgroups
• Facilitates stakeholder engagement activities to gather input, promote participation, strengthen collaboration, and build collective understanding
• Implements capacity-building strategies based on the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and other applicable stakeholders
• Provides training, instruction, educational facilitation, mentoring, presentations, resource sharing, and related learning or capacity-building activities for the NWRCC and Tribal Learner cohorts, including unique Tribal provider education within formal systems and Tribal training structures, as appropriate
• Leads technical assistance and consultation to member Tribes, and/or the N CREW network for the NWRRC
• Supports communication and collaboration across NPAIHB to reduce information silos and engage multidisciplinary teams in providing training and technical assistance that advances culturally appropriate prevention, treatment, and other Tribal health strategies

Funding Development and Award Administration
• Supports PIs and other project leaders in preparing grant reports, continuation materials, future grant applications, and related funding documents
• Coordinates contributions, documentation, approvals, timelines, and required follow-up for funding-agency submissions
• Supports tracking of research budgets, expenditures, fiscal requirements, and related documentation in coordination with PIs and appropriate fiscal and grants staff

Budget and Fiscal Management
• Manages assigned budgets in collaboration with Finance staff
• Supports review of financial information and identifies actual or anticipated variances, risks, and necessary actions
• Assists with monitoring expenditures and financial information to identify variances, maintain alignment with approved budgets, and comply with applicable organizational and funding requirements

Administrative and Reporting Functions
• Maintains complete, accurate, and well-organized N CREW files and supporting records in compliance with NPAIHB and applicable external requirements, including securely archiving records as appropriate
• Maintains calendars, project-management systems, tracking spreadsheets, databases, and other tools with current information regarding activities, deliverables, deadlines, requirements, approvals, and required follow-up
• Tracks monthly activity reports to ensure grant activities are documented and available for semiannual reporting and recurring meetings with NIH
• Provides timely updates regarding assigned activities, deadlines, risks, barriers, and required actions to relevant staff and leadership
• Coordinates and prepares internal, project, funding agency, and other reports and materials as needed
• Documents significant activities, decisions, approvals, communications, and follow-up actions as required
• Submits an electronic Monthly Activity Report (eMAR) to the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center at the end of each month and completes other assigned administrative reporting activities as needed

Other Duties
• Supports special research, evaluation, or related projects as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, PIs, and/or Executive Director or designee

Standards of Conduct
• Act in service to the Tribes and Tribal communities we serve
• Uphold the Mission, Values, and Vision of the NPAIHB
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality with all NPAIHB information and documentation
• Consistently exhibit professional behavior and a high degree of personal and professional integrity and impartiality appropriate to the responsible and confidential nature of the position
• Exercise good judgment and initiative in performance of duties and responsibilities
• Demonstrate self-awareness, sound interpersonal judgment, and constructive communication in the performance of all duties and responsibilities
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning, innovation, service, knowledge sharing, and the professional development of others, as appropriate to the position
• Help cultivate an organizational culture that centers NPAIHB's service to Tribes, promotes professional excellence, and builds an environment where employees grow and thrive
• Contribute to building an inclusive