Research Program Manager

Research Program ManagerLocation: Remote Duration: 12 MonthsCandidates who do not require visa sponsorship to work in USA are eligibleJob OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Research Program Manager IV to lead end-to-end operational execution for high-visibility research programs. This role requires an autonomous program/operations professional who can build processes, manage vendors and budgets, coordinate complex timelines, and provide clear visibility to senior leadership.The ideal candidate will have 7–8+ years of program or operations management experience, preferably in research operations, UX research, consulting, or another fast-paced cross-functional environment. The person should be comfortable working with ambiguity, independently building operational infrastructure, and solving problems without waiting for direction.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, including SOW scoping and negotiation, PO creation/amendments, invoice reconciliation, and contract renewals.Act as the primary operational point of contact for multiple research vendors and vendor project managers.Manage budgets, forecasts, burn rates, and financial tracking across multiple workstreams.Identify budget risks early, recommend reallocation strategies, and provide leadership-ready financial reporting.Navigate procurement and sourcing processes, including systems such as Coupa, Buy@, or equivalent platforms.Build and maintain program infrastructure such as trackers, intake systems, dashboards, canonicals, and operational documentation.Coordinate complex timelines across multiple vendors, markets, internal teams, and international time zones.Identify dependencies, sequencing issues, and potential blockers before they impact program delivery.Prepare clear program-health updates, risk summaries, decisions, and status reports for senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.Maintain comprehensive documentation covering processes, decisions, and institutional knowledge to support continuity and onboarding.Diagnose operational issues such as vendor SLA misses, budget overruns, or stalled workflows and independently drive resolution.Continuously improve operational processes and systems as research programs scale.Required Skills7–8+ years of experience in program management, operations management, research operations, consulting, or a related field.Strong vendor lifecycle management experience, including SOWs, POs, invoices, renewals, and vendor relationships.Experience with budget ownership, forecasting, burn-rate tracking, financial modeling, and reporting.Experience using procurement systems such as Coupa, Buy@, or equivalent.Proven ability to manage multiple interdependent projects, vendors, markets, and stakeholders simultaneously.Strong experience building program infrastructure, trackers, dashboards, intake processes, and operational systems from scratch.Advanced Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets skills, including financial modeling and dashboards.Excellent stakeholder communication and executive-level reporting skills.Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in ambiguous environments.Familiarity with AI tools to improve productivity, automate workflows, and scale operational processes.Preferred BackgroundUX Research OperationsResearch Program ManagementVendor/Partner OperationsConsultingTechnology or fast-paced cross-functional environmentsExperience supporting international or multi-market programsTop 3 Must-Have SkillsVendor lifecycle and procurement managementBudget ownership, forecasting, and financial trackingComplex program management and operational infrastructureNice-to-Have SkillsUX Research Operations experienceConsulting backgroundInternational/multi-market program experienceCoupa, Buy@, or similar procurement systemsAdvanced Excel/Google SheetsAI productivity and automation tools