Project Manager - Food is Medicine Institute

The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University is a national leader in Food is Medicine research focused on nutrition security, chronic disease prevention, and equitable food systems. Our work bridges public health, clinical research, and community practice to generate evidence that informs real-world solutions.

The Research Coordinator will play a central role in the NOURISH Study (Nutrition intervention Optimization to better Utilize Resources and Support Health) - a multi-year NIH-funded research study testing innovative, culturally responsive nutrition interventions delivered through the charitable food system. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about public health, community-based research, and improving access to nutritious food.

This is a grant-funded and 5 year limited-term position, eligible for renewal based upon performance and continued funding. This position is located in Dallas, Texas.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI, Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen, PhD, MPH), research staff, and long-standing community partners, the Project Manager will oversee day-to-day project operations for federal and industry funded grants with primary responsibility for IRB and regulatory coordination, REDCap project development and management, administrative management, purchasing, and financial tracking and reconciliation. The Project Manager will also support implementation of a large, community-based human subjects research study. This includes co-management of study research coordinators, assistants, students, and volunteers, participant-facing research activities, ensuring accurate and ethical data collection, and supporting study logistics.

• Implements the project plans, manages resources, evaluates progress to plan milestones, recommends changes as necessary, and submits reporting to director/principal investigator.
• Prepare materials for weekly internal team meetings and periodic partner meetings.
• Develops and oversees project data collection and management systems. Creates and manages reporting. Oversees data analysis, interpretation of results and preparation of findings/outcomes
• Prepare, submit, and track IRB applications, amendments, continuations, adverse event reports, and study close-out materials
• Manages and analyzes project budgets and projections. Initiates, tracks, and reconciles project-related purchases in compliance with Tufts policies. Monitors study expenditures, maintain detailed financial tracking logs, and flags discrepancies or budget concerns early. Supports invoicing and payment processing for vendors and community partners.
• Support participant recruitment and data collection. Conduct participant recruitment, eligibility screening, scheduling, and enrollment in Dallas, Texas. This includes explaining study procedures and obtain informed consent in accordance with human subjects protections. Collect quantitative and qualitative study data, including Administering questionnaires and dietary assessments; Measuring height and weight using standardized protocols; Assisting with rapid clinical data collection (e.g., HbA1c, blood pressure) following training.
• Develops and manages project marketing/promotions and external relations.
• Develops presentation of project results to management and may present findings to academic community and sponsors.
• Co-manages hiring and training of team members and conducts employee performance reviews.

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, nutrition, social sciences, health sciences, or related field preferred
• 3 years working experience
• Experience in project management
• Experience with customer-facing or customer service role
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build rapport with diverse participants
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Attention to detail and commitment to accurate data collection
• Ability to follow protocols and work within regulatory and ethical research frameworks
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools, including, but not limited to PowerPoint, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams, to support research operations.
• Experience with or willingness to learn data systems such as REDCap
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Comfortable working in community settings (e.g., food pantries, schools, places of worship, parks, etc.)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Preferred if applicant were to come in with Human Subjects and Good Clinical Practice certifications, but may be completed after hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-5 years working experience, particularly working with community outreach, community-based organizations
• Experience with human subjects research and data collection
• Supervisory experience helpful

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

This is a hybrid position expected to be on-site 4 days per weekin DALLAS, TEXAS at our community partner locations (4500 S Cockrell Hill Rd, Dallas, TX 75236; 3662 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75237; 14040 Rolling Hills Ln, Dallas, TX 75240).