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Program Manager Research Operations information

See Sugar Land, TX salary details

$35.9K

$98.2K

$142.1K

How much do program manager research operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager research operations in Sugar Land, TX is $98,151.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,700.00 and $118,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program manager research operations?

Program Manager Research Operations are professionals who oversee and coordinate the administrative and operational aspects of research programs within organizations such as universities, corporations, or healthcare institutions. Their responsibilities typically include managing budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, supporting research teams, and improving efficiency in research processes. They act as a bridge between researchers, administrative staff, and external partners to ensure projects run smoothly and meet organizational goals. Program Managers in Research Operations play a critical role in enabling scientific and academic research by providing strategic and logistical support.

What are the main challenges program managers in research operations typically face when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Program Managers in Research Operations often encounter challenges related to aligning diverse stakeholders, balancing multiple project timelines, and ensuring smooth communication between research, product, and operations teams. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining research quality and compliance. Regularly facilitating meetings, setting clear expectations, and using project management tools help mitigate these challenges and ensure collaborative progress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program manager research operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Manager Research Operations, you need expertise in research administration, project management, and budget oversight, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in research environments. Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, MS Project), research compliance systems, and grant management platforms is typically essential. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and effective communication enable collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These skills ensure efficient research operations, regulatory compliance, and successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Program Manager Research Operations vs Research Coordinator?

AspectProgram Manager Research OperationsResearch Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in related field, project management certifications often preferredBachelor's degree in a relevant field, research experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, collaborates with teams, manages budgetsSupports research projects, handles data collection, assists with study logistics
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, academiaResearch labs, clinical settings, academic institutions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles in research operationsDetails on research support roles and coordination tasks

The Program Manager Research Operations typically oversees multiple research projects, manages teams, and handles budgets, requiring project management skills. In contrast, a Research Coordinator focuses on supporting specific research studies, managing data collection, and logistical tasks. Both roles are essential in research environments but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Sugar Land, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Manager Research Operations jobs in Sugar Land, TX are:

What cities near Sugar Land, TX are hiring for Program Manager Research Operations jobs?

Cities near Sugar Land, TX with the most Program Manager Research Operations job openings:

Program Manager Research Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Research Operations job openings in Sugar Land, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,151 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Manager Research Operations - Heart Center

Houston Methodist Academic Institute

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Manage the daily work activities of the department staff to ensure quality, productivity, and efficiency.

  • Support operational decision-making, resource planning, and research performance monitoring through data analysis and system integration.

  • Oversee staffing, budget compliance, and staff development activities, including hiring, coaching, and policy implementation.

Job description

At Houston Methodist we are looking for experience in advanced data analytics, business intelligence, and process automation, including Excel (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Power Query, Power Pivot, VBA/Macros), SQL, Python, and Power Automate. Experience developing executive dashboards, performance scorecards, forecasting models, and data visualizations using Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms is strongly preferred. Experience integrating and analyzing data from multiple enterprise systems (e.g., OnCore, Epic, Workday, financial systems) to support operational decision-making, resource planning, and research performance monitoring is highly desirable.
At Houston Methodist, the Manager Research Operations position is responsible for impacting the management, planning, development, budget, and other administrative activities of a Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) department. This position plans, manages and monitors operations to support the activities of the department.
The manager position responsibilities include managing the daily work activities of the work unit/department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence, and efficiency while assisting management in accomplishing strategic and operational objectives. In addition, this position provides guidance to staff and is responsible for staffing, budget compliance, contributing to staffing decisions such as hiring and terminating employment, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance, and assisting in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position also implements training, monitoring and operations initiatives that secure compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/ government regulations
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Bachelor’s degree in a Health Science, business, or related field

EXPERIENCE
  • Three years of progressively responsible experience within a healthcare professional/ administrative/laboratory management capacity of which one year is in a people management/lead role
  • Experience in clinical research management preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
  • Ability to effectively communicate through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message
  • Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
  • Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved
  • Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills
  • Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace
  • Knowledge of grant submission procedures in research or academic setting
  • Ability to direct, research, investigates, and develops approaches to unique work situations
  • Knowledge of laboratory functions as it pertains to research or academia
  • Knowledge of quality assurance to understand and comply with safety standards to maintain a safe environment

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Performs management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the department. Provides development and mentoring of staff. Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department turnover. Develops direct reports to perform these same functions.
  • Provides fair and consistent leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes. Provides timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem.
  • Facilitates and promotes effective team dynamics and teambuilding strategies within and between departments; participates and/or leads and facilitates department process improvements as needed.
  • Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
  • Provides operations and safety management for laboratory team(s), overseeing less than 20 FTEs extramural funding of less than $2 million and lab or clinical-based research.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Plans and organizes day-to-day department operations, schedule, and activities. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
  • Drives department service standards and activities to impact department and/or system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serves and actively participates on various entity committees as a voice for the department.
  • Provides department with Laboratory Administration services including purchasing of supplies and equipment, maintaining required safety and operations documentation, and assisting principal investigators (PI’s) with laboratory operations management.
  • Manages/maintains laboratory environment including, but not limited to, coordination with HM Building Services, HMRI facility management and HM Employee Health Services.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Ensures a safe and effective working environment; monitors and/or revises the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines, including infection control principles. Monitors and confirms staff maintain their required credentials that demonstrate competency per accrediting agency or department guidelines as applicable.
  • Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations; supports entity-specific performance improvement and data management/analysis functions.
  • Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of safe outcomes by monitoring and improving the department workflow, using peer-to-peer accountability, reporting accidents, near misses, and/or adverse events immediately per department protocol and identifying solutions via collaboration. Adopts lean principles in driving process improvements. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.
  • Monitors self and employee compliance with policies, procedures, and System HR Standards of Practice and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., focal point review requirements, disaster plan, in-services, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.).
  • Establishes and maintains current Laboratory Specific Safety Manual, ensuring all laboratory safety procedures are included in the manual, including HSC and IBC protocols.
  • Establishes and maintains Laboratory Study Methods ensuring all laboratory procedures run in the laboratory are included in this manual.
  • Maintains equipment inventory and works with Biomedical Engineering/vendor for regular maintenance/service.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Assists in the development of department budget and ensures that the department operates in a cost effective manner. Manages/audits department expenses within approved budget parameters, ensuring that the department meets the budgeted/flex revenue and/or expense targets on a monthly and annual basis. Develops staffing plans and schedules to meet department/patient needs that reflect understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness.
  • Implements department strategies to achieve financial target and staffing needs, developing others to do the same, through optimizing productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
  • Manages and administers grants, contracts and budget preparations and expenditures. Manages all faculty cost centers within the department and works with the faculty to identify any potential discrepancies.
  • Provides PI’s and Laboratory staff support for purchase of laboratory supplies, equipment (MARS eProcurement) and services (iLab).

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Identifies and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations or other department-specific measures by leading unit projects and/or other department/system directed/shared governance activities. Supports change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
  • Proactively evaluates processes; recommends and implements action plan(s) for change; follows through to ensure effective, sustainable change. Participates in the development and implementation of new procedures and the review and revision of existing procedures.
  • Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals.
  • Seeks opportunities to identify developmental needs of self and staff and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates My Development Plan (MDP) on an on-going basis. Conducts conversations with staff on their development.
  • Assists the Chair with strategic planning for department missions and growth.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
    WORK ATTIRE
    • Uniform: No
    • Scrubs: No
    • Business professional: Yes
    • Other (department approved): No

    ON-CALL*
    *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
    • On Call* No

    TRAVEL**
    **Travel specifications may vary by department**
    • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
    • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Bachelor’s degree in a Health Science, business, or related field

EXPERIENCE
  • Three years of progressively responsible experience within a healthcare professional/ administrative/laboratory management capacity of which one year is in a people management/lead role
  • Experience in clinical research management preferred

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Academic Institute oversees the Education Institute and Research Institute. The Academic Institute aligns our research and education initiatives in service to the clinical mission, providing solutions that answer the call for new technologies and skills our clinicians need for patient care. Houston Methodist Education Institute coordinates our primary academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and other joint programs, including the Engineering Medicine Program at Texas A&M University Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine. The Education Institute also oversees continuing medical education and graduate medical education, and supports trainees in residence for medical, nursing, allied health and research education programs. Houston Methodist Research Institute supports research programs and infrastructure that enable faculty across the system to bring new scientific discoveries to patients as rapidly as possible through the full cycle of a cure from conceptual bench research, to prototyping and development, to clinical trials and FDA approval. The Research Institute supports clinical research protocols and extramurally funded translational research programs.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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