Research and Operations Manager

Position Overview

Blueprint Labs is hiring a Research and Operations Manager based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA. Blueprint Labs uses data, econometrics, and analytic tools to generate insights on the consequences of policy choices and improve society. Based in the Department of Economics at MIT, Blueprint Labs consists of academic faculty and affiliates who represent leading economic thinkers, full-time staff members, and graduate researchers. Blueprint Labs works closely with academic, government, and nonprofit institutions across the country to generate pioneering research that informs policy and practice in education, health care, and the workforce.

The Research and Operations Manager supports the mission of Blueprint by combining a passion for evidenced-based economics research with solid administrative abilities. Under the supervision of the Senior Operations Manager, the Research and Operations Manager manages administrative and research-related needs for a group of faculty as well as Blueprint Labs. Tasks include human subjects and IRB, expense and procurement, office space, and research grant management, in addition to faculty administrative management.

The Research and Operations Manager receives a full-time, one-year appointment that is renewable annually, contingent on funding, performance, and mutual agreement. This type of annual appointment structure is common in sponsored research environments. The estimated starting salary range for this role is $77,000-107,000 and is likely to fall in the bottom half of this range. The Research and Operations Manager position includes standard MIT employee benefits. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Advanced Blueprint Faculty Support

• Supporting faculty needs for their departmental and research responsibilities including finances, course prep, and research tasks
• Administrative Management
  • Managing calendars and schedules
  • Coordinating and organizing meetings and conference calls with both internal and external stakeholders, including scheduling, distributing agendas, notetaking, maintaining confidential files
• Finance
  • Expense and procurement management, processing reimbursement requests
  • Arranging and reporting on travel
• Department Responsibilities
  • Assisting with course, seminar, and event logistics
  • Managing and supporting faculty committee assignments (e.g., advising, hiring, admissions)
  • Preparing and maintaining confidential files and documents
  • Creating and maintaining faculty websites
  • Submitting letters of recommendation to graduate programs for students
• Research Responsibilities
  • Managing literature reviews, proofreading, and related tasks
  • Updating tables and figures
  • Additional research tasks as needed
  • Additional Blueprint research tasks are noted below

Blueprint Labs Operations

• Guiding staff and faculty on MIT systems, processes, and policies to ensure compliance
• Collaborating with Senior Operations Manager and Executive Director to strategically develop office solutions to make the office run smoothly and efficiently, including suggesting and submitting facilities requests
• Space
  • Managing office spaces; conduct inventory and supply orders
  • Managing staff listservs and team calendar
• Staff/HR
  • Approving timecards for hourly employees
  • Assisting with hiring and onboarding for students and staff, including student and temporary appointments
• Finance
  • Processing of requisitions and invoices, establishment of service contracts and vendor relationships, and other financial transactions
• Research
  • Submitting proposals in accordance with MIT policies and systems (including KualiCoeus)
  • Managing IRB protocols and amendments for COUHES submission
  • Assisting with subaward set up and other pre/post award tasks
• Policy and Communications
  • Coordinating complex events logistics following MIT event guidance including scheduling, updating event webpages, catering, arranging travel and accommodations for guests, and processing expenses
  • Managing content on the Blueprint Labs website

Evening/night/weekend work may be required on occasion for specific purposes (i.e., grant application deadlines, events) and is rare.

Other duties as needed or required.

Supervision Received

The Research and Operations Manager reports directly to the Senior Operations Manager, with a dotted line to the faculty. The research environment is independent and fast paced. The Research and Operations Manager takes ownership of tasks and exercises good judgement in knowing when to ask for more direction from the supervisor and the faculty.

Supervision Exercised

None

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in economics, public policy/international relations, computer science, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in a relevant field such as non-profit operations, finance, HR, grant management, office/executive management, or academic administration required. Experience working in an economics and or research environment is preferred.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills; ability to build positive relationships and work within a team; ability to communicate proactively and clearly with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Time and Project Management: Proven ability to anticipate, plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines; demonstrated ability to efficiently organize and manage a variable volume of work. Implements strategies for managing multiple deadlines and communicates when this is not possible and/or seeks advice. Seeks to maximize efficiency through improved processes or tools.
• Attention to Detail: Strong ability to self-manage a time-sensitive workflow while maintaining high-quality output and accuracy with details; follows developed processes or established criteria to make decisions but has good judgment to make decisions when the situation is outside of already established processes. Is comfortable raising issues to management when the decision is not clear. Deals with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
• Teamwork: Enthusiasm for work, willingness to pitch in as needed, and a flexible approach to task priorities is essential.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not possess every qualification and skill listed.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application via MIT’s online job board. If this link does not work, visit https://jobs.mit.edu/external, search for job ID 24633 and complete an application. Please include:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter* (outline why you are interested in Blueprint Labs and why you are qualified for this role)
• Unofficial transcript

Incomplete applications will not be considered; please be sure to include all three components (cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts). You will need to combine your transcripts into a PDF file with your cover letter.

Please note that because this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for at least 2 years from the date of application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected candidates can expect an initial Zoom video interview, a time-limited task to understand job specific skills, and a final interview with more members of the team. The recruitment process can last 2-3 months.

* Blueprint Labs values diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusivity in our work and the broader perspectives our staff bring. We encourage people of color, first generation college students/graduates, and other underrepresented groups to apply to this role. In your cover letter, please consider sharing how your racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic and/or other identity has influenced your desire to work at Blueprint. This is not required, but rather an opportunity for us to get to know you. For more information, read the MIT Economics Department’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.