Overview

The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University is a national leader in Food is Medicine research focused on nutrition security, chronic disease prevention, and equitable food systems. Our work bridges public health, clinical research, and community practice to generate evidence that informs real-world solutions.

The Project Manager will play a central role in supporting a multi-year NIH-funded research study will evaluate whether a Food is Medicine intervention providing medically tailored groceries improves pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women experiencing food insecurity. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about maternal and child health, improving access to nutritious food, and real-world implementation.

What You'll Do

This is a grant-funded and a one-year limited-term position. There is an expectation of annual extensions for up to five years, contingent upon continued funding.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI, Fang Fang Zhang, MD, PhD), research staff, participating clinical sites, and community stakeholders, the Project Manager will oversee day-to-day project operations of a multi-site randomized controlled trial, with primary responsibility for IRB and regulatory coordination, REDCap project development and management, administrative management, purchasing, and financial tracking and reconciliation. The Project Manager will also monitor enrollment and retention, research data collection and management, stakeholder engagement, and research dissemination. This includes co-management of clinical research coordinators, research assistants, students, and volunteers, participant-facing research activities, ensuring accurate and ethical data collection, and supporting study logistics.

This is an ideal role for an organized, detail-oriented, and mission-driven professional who enjoys managing complex projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting community-engaged research intended to improve health outcomes. The Project Manager will serve as a key liaison between Tufts University, external collaborators, vendors, and community partners, helping to ensure study activities run smoothly, efficiently, and in accordance with approved protocols and budgets.

Implements the project plans, manages resources, evaluates progress to plan milestones, identifies emerging challenges, recommends changes as necessary, and submits reporting to principal investigator and study team.
Lead regulatory and administrative activities, including IRB submissions and amendments, reliance agreements, data use agreements, continuing reviews, protocol deviations, ClinicalTrials.gov registration, updates, and results reporting, and other required documentation.
Manages and analyzes project budgets and projections. Initiates, tracks, and reconciles project-related purchases in compliance with Tufts policies. Monitors study expenditures, maintain detailed financial tracking logs, and flags discrepancies or budget concerns early. Oversees invoicing and payment processing for vendors and community partners.
Manage the development and finalization of study protocols, manuals of procedures, standard operating procedures, recruitment materials, consent forms, surveys, and participant-facing materials.
Oversee participant recruitment and retention activities across study sites and regularly monitor progress against enrollment and follow-up targets.
Manage intervention implementation, including workflows involving clinical sites, the medically tailored grocery platform, nutrition education, and participant support.
Develops and oversees project data collection and management systems. Creates and manages reporting.
Oversee meeting operations for project, site, and investigator activities, providing coordination, documentation, and follow-through to support execution of strategic priorities, stakeholder alignment, and achievement of project milestones.
Oversee reporting to NICHD, Tufts University, IRBs, and other oversight bodies, while coordinating project promotion, external relations, and dissemination of findings to institutional leaders, academic audiences, and sponsors.
Leads stakeholder engagement and Advisory Group governance processes, synthesizing stakeholder feedback and translating recommendations into study procedures, implementation plans, and dissemination strategies to enhance project outcomes.
Co-manages hiring and training of team members and conducts employee performance reviews. Coordinate the onboarding, training, and ongoing support of research staff across participating sites.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

Master's Degree Public health, nutrition, clinical research, epidemiology, health sciences, or related field preferred
5-7 years' experience
Experience in project management
Comfort managing budgets, purchases, and financial reconciliation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong project management and organizational skills
Experience managing complex budgets and reconciling financial data
Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaborative tools (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams)
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
CITI Human Subjects Research Training - Preferred if applicant were to come in with Human Subjects and Good Clinical Practice certifications, but may be completed after hire

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with human subjects research and data collection
Experience managing a randomized controlled trial, multisite study, or NIH-funded research project
Experience with REDCap development and management
Supervisory experience helpful
Advanced knowledge of research administration and regulatory compliance Strongly Preferred
Bilingual in English and Spanish Strongly Preferred
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)-PMI Upon Hire

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

This is a hybrid position.

Pay Range

Minimum $81,200.00, Midpoint $101,600.00, Maximum $120,900.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Tufts University

Project Manager - Friedman School of Nutrition

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