University of Pennsylvania Jobs

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The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

CSTL Program Manager (Department of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics)

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project C

Job Description Summary

The Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory’s (CSTL) conducts groundbreaking translational research on Castleman disease and other cytokine storms, discovering novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics, identifying optimal treatment approaches, and providing world-class patient care. We are seeking a senior project manager to oversee administrative and research operations for several programmatic initiatives.

The Program Manager will provide leadership, project management, administrative support, and expertise for projects in Castleman disease, cytokine storm disorders, and drug repurposing. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of the center, coordinating research and administrative needs, and ensuring optimal communication across stakeholders. The Program Manager will lead operational planning to ensure operational effectiveness and manage relationships between physicians, sponsors, academic centers, staff, and administrative offices. The Program Manager will act as a liaison for team recruitment and program development processes, building collaborative relationships within and outside of the organization.

Job Description

The Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory’s (CSTL) conducts groundbreaking translational research on Castleman disease and other cytokine storms, discovering novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics, identifying optimal treatment approaches, and providing world-class patient care. We are seeking a senior project manager to oversee administrative and research operations for several programmatic initiatives.

The Program Manager will provide leadership, project management, administrative support, and expertise for projects in Castleman disease, cytokine storm disorders, and drug repurposing. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of the center, coordinating research and administrative needs, and ensuring optimal communication across stakeholders. The Program Manager will lead operational planning to ensure operational effectiveness and manage relationships between physicians, sponsors, academic centers, staff, administrative offices. The Program Manager will act as a liaison for team recruitment and program development processes, building collaborative relationships within and outside of the organization.

The Program Manager responsibilities include coordinating single-center and multi-center studies, assisting with and overseeing grant applications and management, and supporting grant development and budget management. The Program Manager will also participate in facility and contractual issues. The role includes contributing to additional projects and studies at the CSTL, overseeing daily research activities such as maintenance of regulatory documents, recruitment, payment, and study reporting, as well as supervision of staff conducting these activities.

This position requires strong leadership and communication skills to guide the team effectively and build relationships, aligning objectives to meet goals and manage projects efficiently. Proficiency in compliance and problem-solving is necessary to navigate regulatory requirements successfully. The Program Manager must have sufficient knowledge, judgment, and self-confidence to act independently, set priorities, and make on-the-spot decisions. Prior experience in research administration in a medical environment or university is preferred. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with excellent electronic, written, and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work productively as a team member. The ability to interact with all levels of faculty, staff, patients, donors, corporate sponsors, and prospective donors is required. This position is fully on-site and reports directly to the Principal Investigator of the Center.

• Provide administrative leadership to project leads and teams, managing staff, resources, and effective use of materials and finances.

• Develop and maintain tools and best practices to support research within the Center.

• Ensure timely completion of milestones, compliance, accurate reporting, and proper execution of subcontracts and agreements. Facilitate effective communication among all parties involved.

• Oversee complex projects, assist teams with protocol, grant, and budget development, implementation, and reporting.

• Monitor project status and provide updates to leadership.

• Recruit, onboard, and collaborate closely with leadership to manage personnel, including project managers, analysts, coordinators, and assistants. Conduct regular meetings to review project status and resolve issues.

• Lead and motivate the team with vision, integrity, and flexibility. Ensure team building and that employees are working together to advance center goals.

• Support staff development and retention. Set performance goals, encourage teamwork, and align staff efforts with organizational goals.

• Oversight of grants management and day to day operations of i.e., funded grants, gifts, pre-award management planning, identification of new funding opportunities.

• Foster relationships within the organization and enhance external communication.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Must show progressively responsible project management and supervisory experience, preferably in an academic institution managing projects, as well as demonstrated leadership of complex projects

• Must show ability to work with multiple stakeholders to coordinate and achieve goals, and form strong business relationships with collaborators

• Ability to develop implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient research processes.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse and close-working team in a fast-paced, leadership setting requiring initiative, strong organization, flexibility, sound judgment, and the prioritization of multiple demands.

• Successful candidates will have the ability to anticipate problems relating to projects and to develop and implement solutions, as well as handling complex problems related to business strategy.

• Flexibility and drive to meet project deadlines required

• Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and judgment in interacting with a wide range of constituents at varying levels of an organization.

• Able to confidently interact with all levels of management including senior management, physician leaders and others

• Excellent verbal/written communication skills required

• Demonstrated experience in handling confidential information with discretion.

• Strong understanding of institutional and federal compliance requirements related to research desired

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $115,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.