Manager, Nationwide Research Institute en American Lung Association

The American Lung Association has an excellent opportunity for a Manager, Nationwide Research Institute. Working as a member of the Research Institute department, you will join an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to our mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. 

This role is responsible for the efficient administration and coordination of the American Lung Association’s research programs, including the Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) Network, Awards and Grants Program, Science Forums, and the Accelerator Program. Reporting to the Research Institute Director, the Manager ensures the smooth operation of research program logistics, including grant administration, peer review, and committee meetings, and serves as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding day-to-day program matters. This position is responsible for implementing established processes, ensuring compliance with relevant procedures, supporting program communications, and delivering high-quality service to applicants, awardees, and scientific volunteers.

Location: The position is located at the American Lung Association’s New York City, New York office and will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual work. 

Responsibilities: 

General Administration

• Support the day-to-day operations of the Research Institute, including the ACRC Network, Awards and Grants Program, Science Forum, and Accelerator Program.
• Track program deliverables and deadlines; maintain documentation and ensure timely follow-up.
• Assist in developing and updating program materials, guidelines, and policies.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for committee and peer review meetings, including preparation of meeting materials, invitations, and follow-up.
• Assist in the preparation and editing of program content for internal and external publication.
• Process (submit and track) Research Institute Payments in a timely manner. Develop and maintain a payment schedule to ensure timely submission.
• Track Transfers and NCE’s. Communicate with Finance department to update them on the status.
• Proactively identify and address payment discrepancies by streamlining processes and improving communication with awardees and the finance department.

Awards and Grants Administration

• Support the grant application and review process; update materials as needed. Lead the coordination of travel and hospitality for committee members and provide administrative support (hotel, meeting information, reimbursement).
• Track award renewals, deliverable submissions, and the prompt processing of payments and contracts.
• Coordinate communication with institutions regarding payments, contracts, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with program evaluations and data collection.
• Work with Marketing and Development teams to promote funding opportunities, program impact, and to communicate with stakeholders.
• Lead and support webinars and virtual briefings for scientific volunteers, awardees, donors, and institutional partners.
• Perform the administrative review of new applications, ensuring all required documents are in place.

Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) Support

• Organize and manage annual core grant renewals, ensuring principal investigators are notified and necessary materials are prepared and submitted.
• Support ACRC protocol, staff, and coordinator meetings; monitor recruitment activities at sites and ensure compliance with performance standards.
• Calculate and process recruitment and core payments to participating centers; track expenditures and respond to payment inquiries.
• Assist with the development and processing of contracts.
• Lead the ACRC mini-grant grant cycle from pre to post award, including recruiting reviewers, collaborating with the Committee Chair to assign applications.
• Oversee all required administrative tasks related to the ACRC mini-grant peer review process.

Operational & Financial Management

• Track program budgets, ensuring accurate processing of payments and compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date tracking and reporting of expenditures, contracts, and institutional payments.
• Support the development and preparation of financial, programming, and evaluation reports for leadership and board review.
• Maintain effective communication with volunteers, scientific reviewers, awardees, institutional partners, and other stakeholders.
• Support the recruitment of scientific reviewers.
• Draft award letters and other communications assigned.
• Provide program updates and support internal communications as needed.
• Track Publications.

Other Duties

• Assist with the planning and implementation of research-related events, conferences, and webinars.
• Complete special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director or Chief Mission Officer.
• Travel as required (up to 5%) for meetings and conferences.

Qualifications:   

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on public health/science or combination of education and experience.
• Prior work experience in administrative position; project management; grants management preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize using independent judgment.
• Strong attention to detail is necessary.
• Computer proficiency with MS Office.
• Familiarity with scientific research, peer review processes, and clinical networks is preferred.
• Must have excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Willingness and ability to take initiative, take on increased responsibility, and work with minimum supervision.
• Familiarity with Proposal Central and Concur a plus but not required.
• Must have access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel within the assigned area 5% of the time for meetings and conferences, as well as the flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends with some overnights required.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. (supplies)
• Consistent with its mission, the American Lung Association maintains a smoke-free workplace; all employees must abstain from tobacco use in any form, including vaping.

Compensation: Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. The target hiring range for this position is between $66,300 and $70,000 per annum.  

Benefits: The Lung Association offers a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Paid Leave - 10 vacation days in the first year (15 days thereafter), 2 personal days and 15 sick days per year, as well as 12 company-paid holidays per year. We also offer Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees.
• Insurance - Employees (and their eligible dependents) can enroll in our medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as voluntary plans for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability and supplemental life/AD&D insurance. Employees will be enrolled in company-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability Insurance coverage.
• Retirement Plan - Eligible employees can participate in our 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, which offers matching employer contributions (up to 4%) and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.

Questions? For more details about this role please reach out to [email protected]. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The American Lung Association is committed to employ, in its best judgment, the most suitable candidates for approved positions while engaging in recruitment and selection practices that are in compliance with all applicable employment laws. We are an equal opportunity employer: women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Policy Statement 

It is the policy of the American Lung Association to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or physical and/or mental disabilities, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The American Lung Association will take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat all individuals in the foregoing categories without discrimination in all employment practices. This policy applies in all Human Resources actions including recruitment, selection, evaluation, promotion, compensation, and training.