The Precision Medicine Institute is looking for a Program Manager I to provide high-level administrative and programmatic support to a senior faculty member. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the faculty member's initiatives, research, and strategic programs run smoothly. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, proactive, and capable of working independently while handling confidential and sensitive matters with the utmost discretion. Prior experience in an academic or research environment is strongly preferred. The role benefits from a scientific background sufficient to understand basic research concepts, terminology, and workflows, and to translate between technical and administrative audiences.
Responsible for administratively managing a University department under the general direction of a functional Program Director or under the auspices of a Program Advising Committee and according to an established program plan. May participate in the development of program objectives and is responsible for achieving objectives within defined parameters set by University and/or department policies and procedures or technical principles. May require fiscal management of grants and other funds. May manage multiple programs. Requires the use of independent judgment to determine the best approach to accomplish objectives established in the program plan. May supervise staff as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Faculty Support: Manage scheduling, calendars, correspondence, and meeting preparation for the faculty member. Serve as a primary liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate travel, itineraries, reimbursements, and related documentation. Maintain confidentiality when managing sensitive information or discussions.
- Programmatic/Project Support: Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating programmatic initiatives led by the Director or the Executive Administrator. Track deadlines, deliverables, and milestones, ensuring leaders remain on target with timelines. Prepare and maintain reports, presentations, and briefing materials. Support event planning for meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- Administrative Operations: Maintain organized filing systems for records, documents, and program data. Provide departmental support to the Director or Executive Administrator. Support budget monitoring, expense tracking, and funding allocation processes. Draft and edit proposals, progress reports, and communications for internal and external use.
- Scientific Technical Support / Platform Troubleshooting: Triage and troubleshoot user issues for internal platforms, tools, or portals created/used by the team (e.g., web dashboards, databases, collaboration or survey tools); document issues, identify severity, and coordinate resolution with IT/engineering or vendors. Collect and translate user requirements into clear tickets or requests; track fixes and enhancements; perform basic user-acceptance testing (UAT)/quality assurance (QA) and confirm resolution with stakeholders. Create and maintain user guides/FAQs/SOPs; provide light training and how-to support to faculty, staff, and trainees. Manage access and onboarding (account requests, permissions, simple configuration) in accordance with institutional policies. Apply scientific literacy to frame issues and solutions in the context of research workflows (data collection, basic analyses, experimental documentation) and escalate appropriately when domain expertise is required.
- Coordinates participant intake and consenting, case tracking, report workflows, meeting preparation, stakeholder communications, and IRB/regulatory documentation.
- Maintains program records and operational workflows, supports routine program activities, and escalates scientific, clinical, or programmatic issues to appropriate leadership.
Salary Range: $43,890 - $71,320
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field and two (2) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., biology, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics) or business administration, communications, or related field.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical sciences, genetics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Strong organizational, communication, and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while handling confidential information.
- Experience with research administration, IRB processes, case coordination, or clinical/research program support.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, SharePoint, REDCap or Qualtrics, Airtable or similar tracking systems, and project management tools.
- 5+ years of administrative support experience, preferably supporting senior-level leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Exceptional organizational skills and ability to keep projects and leaders on track.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ability to learn institutional systems.
- Demonstrated scientific literacy sufficient to understand basic research concepts and communicate effectively with scientific staff.
- Experience troubleshooting web-based platforms or enterprise tools (e.g., access issues, environment checks, ticketing and follow-through with IT).
- Experience in an academic, research, or healthcare environment.
- Familiarity with university systems, grant management, or academic program operations. Experience coordinating events or supporting programmatic initiatives.
- Experience documenting SOPs, conducting UAT/QA, and partnering with IT or vendors on fixes and enhancements.
- Confidentiality and discretion in all aspects of work.
- Independent worker with strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Technical troubleshooting, systems thinking, and clear documentation (SOPs, user guides).
- Ability to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
