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The Director of Research Operations – ECHO is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and execution of the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) study at the University of Miami. This role provides strategic and operational direction to ensure alignment with NIH protocols, institutional policies, and study objectives. In this capacity, the Director provides direct oversight of ECHO study execution, including clinical operations, data management, regulatory compliance, and multi-site coordination to ensure study performance, data integrity, and adherence to consortium requirements. The position also provides operational oversight of the SONHS biobehavioral laboratory and associated research infrastructure, supporting both ECHO and faculty-led research initiatives. The Director ensures integration of laboratory, clinical, and research operations, maintaining compliance, operational continuity, and long-term sustainability of the school’s research environment.
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
ECHO-Specific Core Job Functions
Provides leadership and oversight of ECHO study operations to ensure successful execution of research objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
Develops and implements strategic plans to support ECHO study goals, including coordination of multi-site clinical, laboratory, and data activities.
Oversees research activities to ensure adherence to ECHO study protocols, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
Collaborates with research staff, clinical teams, and institutional partners to coordinate ECHO study execution and resolve operational challenges.
Monitors ECHO study progress, identifies barriers to performance, and implement solutions to maintain alignment with study milestones.
Oversee ECHO data collection, management, and reporting processes to ensure data integrity and compliance with NIH and institutional standards.
Supports preparation and development of ECHO scientific outputs, including manuscripts, reports, and presentations.
Coordinates ECHO regulatory activities, including IRB submissions, protocol implementation, and adherence to institutional and federal requirements.
Serves as a liaison between the University of Miami site and national ECHO program leadership to ensure alignment with study expectations and requirements.
School-Specific Core Job Functions (SONHS)
Provides oversight of biobehavioral laboratory operations supporting school-based research activities, including ECHO and faculty studies.
Provides oversight of biospecimen collection, processing, storage, and shipment within the SONHS laboratory environment.
Ensures compliance with biosafety standards, laboratory protocols, and regulatory requirements related to human subjects’ research and laboratory operations.
Provides leadership and direction to research staff and managers supporting laboratory and research infrastructure functions within the school.
Coordinates laboratory integration with school research operations to maintain operational efficiency and continuity.
Supports development and maintenance of research infrastructure, laboratory systems, and operational processes within SONHS.
Stays current with developments in the field and integrates relevant advancements into laboratory and research operations.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field
Master’s degree or PhD in relevant field, preferred
Certification and Licensing:
Not Applicable
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience. The candidate must be fluent in English and Spanish, and preference will be given to individuals with experience in managing large-scale maternal-child health and/or health disparities research.
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM
ECHO-Specific Department Functions
1. ECHO Study Leadership and Oversight
Provide overall leadership of the ECHO study, ensuring alignment with NIH protocols, study timelines, and performance expectations
Oversee coordination of participant recruitment, retention, and follow-up activities across clinical sites
Monitor study progress and ensure achievement of enrollment targets and study milestones
Facilitate communication between local research teams and national ECHO program leadership
2. ECHO Research Operations and Coordination
Oversee research operations through coordination with operational leadership to ensure efficient execution of ECHO study activities
Ensure appropriate staffing coordination, scheduling, and workflow alignment across study functions
Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements to support study efficiency and consistency
3. ECHO Regulatory and Compliance Oversight
Ensure adherence to NIH regulations, IRB requirements, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and institutional policies
Oversee regulatory documentation, reporting, and audit readiness
Coordinate implementation of protocol updates, change memos, and compliance requirements
4. ECHO Data Oversight and Integrity
Collaborate with Data Manager to ensure accurate data collection, entry, and reporting
Ensure data quality control procedures are followed and maintained
Support integration of data systems with study operations
5. ECHO Collaboration and Scientific Contribution
Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and research team to support study design, execution, and dissemination
Contribute to manuscript preparation, reporting, and scientific presentations
Participate in local and national ECHO meetings and collaborative activities
School-Specific Department Functions (SONHS)
1. School Research Infrastructure and Laboratory Oversight
Provide operational oversight of the SONHS biobehavioral laboratory supporting ECHO and faculty research initiatives
Ensure proper collection, processing, storage, and shipment of biospecimens in accordance with study and institutional protocols
Maintain laboratory compliance with biosafety, regulatory, and institutional standards
Coordinate integration of laboratory workflows with clinical research operations and study execution
2. Faculty Research and Infrastructure Support
Support faculty research by translating study design into executable laboratory workflows
Evaluate feasibility, resource allocation, and infrastructure requirements for studies utilizing SONHS laboratory resources
Establish operational workflows connecting laboratory, clinical, and research reporting systems
3. Laboratory Systems and Compliance Development
Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs, training systems, and compliance documentation
Identify infrastructure gaps and implement structural improvements to support long-term research sustainability
Ensure laboratory readiness for audit, regulatory review, and ongoing research support
4. School Staff Leadership and Development
Provide leadership and guidance to research staff across laboratory and operational roles within the school
Support training, onboarding, and development of research personnel supporting SONHS research activities
Promote alignment of staff activities with laboratory and research infrastructure standards
The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.
With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.
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Job Status:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Staff