Associate Research Manager Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Lab Manager - Clinical Research LaboratoriesJob Description
This Lab Manager role provides strategic and operational leadership for multiple clinical research laboratories across several locations in Connecticut. The position focuses on overseeing both wet and dry lab operations, managing laboratory resources and kit inventory, and ensuring laboratories can effectively support complex clinical trials, particularly in oncology. The Lab Manager leads a team of laboratory supervisors, shapes broader operational strategy, and partners closely with clinical research leadership to maintain high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in an academic medical center and cancer research environment.
Responsibilities

• Oversee wet lab and dry lab operations across multiple laboratory locations, ensuring consistent, high-quality processes and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
• Lead and supervise approximately 4-5 direct reports, including laboratory supervisors, providing coaching, guidance, and performance feedback to support their professional growth.
• Develop and implement operational strategies and projects that improve laboratory efficiency, quality, and scalability in support of clinical research and clinical trials.
• Manage laboratory operations related to kit inventory, supply chain, and resource planning to ensure timely availability of materials and equipment for ongoing and upcoming studies.
• Review and determine staffing needs for assigned departments, including defining job posting requirements, establishing salary guidelines, and interpreting labor agreements for exempt and non-exempt staff.
• Manage administrative support needs for exempt and non-exempt staff, recommending and implementing improvements, solutions, and process enhancements as needed.
• Oversee technology needs for assigned departments by monitoring systems, conducting inventory, and assessing system requirements to support laboratory and administrative operations.
• Develop and prepare departmental budgets, financial forecasts, and financial analyses, including reports comparing actual performance against budgeted targets.
• Manage the use of facilities, including office space, workstations, laboratory equipment, and office supplies, to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Oversee administrative support for departmental activities to ensure projects and initiatives are completed accurately and on time.
• Plan, manage, and coordinate training sessions for staff in assigned departments when new policies, procedures, or practices are adopted.
• Ensure compliance with institutional and federal regulations as they apply to assigned departments, including laboratory operations and clinical research activities.
• Identify, plan, and develop administrative policies for assigned departments, and assist in reviewing and implementing institutional and departmental policies related to administrative functions.
• Assess staff development needs and staffing levels, making recommendations to ensure departments are appropriately resourced and staff have opportunities for growth.
• Monitor, develop, plan, and execute systematic research on user requirements, using tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and competitive analysis to inform operational and administrative improvements.
• Manage a team of exempt and non-exempt employees, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing work environment.
• Collaborate closely with the Associate Director of Clinical Research and other stakeholders to align laboratory operations with broader clinical research and institutional goals.
• Travel to different laboratory locations as needed to support on-site operations, staff, and projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the clinical research enterprise.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience working in a laboratory environment, including advanced technical expertise in complex specimen processing procedures.
• Familiarity with BSL-2 laboratory standards and the ability to ensure adherence to these standards across multiple labs.
• Demonstrated management experience in an academic setting, including supervision of staff and oversight of multi-site operations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with internal staff and external study personnel, and to supervise and manage laboratory staff.
• Ability to think strategically and analytically, influencing constructive change and building strong collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex clinical trial protocols and laboratory manuals to evaluate clinical, physical, technological, and staffing requirements needed to conduct trials in accordance with protocols, policies, and regulations while ensuring participant safety.
• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet daily deadlines while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to manage projects outside current areas of expertise and a demonstrated willingness to learn new skills in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn additional software systems, including clinical or laboratory-related platforms such as EPIC or similar tools.
• Ability to travel to multiple laboratory locations as required.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience in clinical research, including clinical trials and specimen processing.
• Experience in an oncology setting, particularly in the context of clinical trials.
• Proven experience supervising staff in a laboratory or clinical research environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a health or research-related discipline.
• Previous clinical trials experience, especially in an oncology setting.
• Previous experience with supply chain management, particularly related to laboratory operations and kit inventory.
• Previous laboratory operations experience, preferably across multiple locations or departments.
• Experience working within an academic medical center or university-based research environment.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, financial forecasts, and financial analyses.
• Experience leading or coordinating training sessions related to new policies, practices, or systems.
• Experience ensuring compliance with institutional and federal regulations in clinical research or laboratory settings.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Motivation to contribute to a mission-driven environment focused on advancing clinical research and cancer care.
• Interest in working in a nationally recognized research institution with a long-standing reputation in cancer research and clinical trials.

Work Environment
The role is based within an academic medical center and cancer research setting, providing the opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognized research institution with a strong focus on oncology and clinical trials. The Lab Manager oversees laboratory supervisors and operations across multiple locations in Connecticut, including sites such as Greenwich, North Haven, New Haven, and Trumbull, and will travel between these locations as needed. The environment includes both wet and dry laboratories operating at BSL-2 standards, with a strong emphasis on complex specimen processing, clinical trial support, and adherence to regulatory and institutional policies. The culture is highly mission-driven, with a focus on advancing clinical research, supporting patient care, and fostering collaboration among clinical, research, and administrative teams. Staff use standard office technologies and software, including Microsoft Office and clinical or laboratory information systems such as EPIC or similar platforms. The position involves a mix of on-site laboratory oversight, administrative and strategic planning responsibilities, and cross-functional collaboration within a structured yet purpose-driven academic and research setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of New Haven, CT.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $82000.00 - $131500.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Will take Yale's benefits if DP, Actalent benefits if C2H.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in New Haven,CT.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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