Controlled Research Program Manager

What We’re Looking For  

The Controlled Research Program Manager is accountable for the successful management and implementation of the Baylor University Controlled Research Program (CRP). The Baylor CRP manages and implements technology solutions in support of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) covered research and all related research categories of CUI. The Controlled Research Program Manager will work with leadership to ensure that positions distributed within Information Technology Services accomplish program objectives in addition to delivering work outcomes in support of the program.  

The candidate will require a strong understanding of compliance with federal regulations, information security principles, stakeholder communication, interdepartmental collaboration, solution architecture, and strategic leadership to influence long-term program success.  

A bachelor’s degree is required. 3-5 years of relevant work experience is preferred. The Controlled Research Program Manager position is located in Waco, TX. Hybrid-remote working arrangement is possible for qualified candidates.  

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Successful Candidates Will:

• Successful candidates will possess the following skills and abilities to include, at a minimum:  

• Strong understanding of IT security principles, tools, and best practices.  

• Exceptional project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring.  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and distributed IT personnel in a matrix management organizational structure.  

• Familiarity with the research lifecycle and the unique IT needs of academic research in support of externally funded federal research awards.  

• Understanding of NIST 800-171 security controls and the CMMC 2.0 framework.  

What You Will Do 

Program Management  

• Under the guidance of the Assistant Vice President, Research Technology will provide oversight of the controlled research program operations and projects in support of Federal research awards.  

• Establish and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables for Principle Investigators and their personnel.  

• Establish and manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables for operational management of the controlled research program inclusive of Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs).  

• Monitor program performance, make adjustments with distributed personnel and their supervisor, and produce periodic performance reports to ensure goals are met effectively.  

• Track NIST 800-171 controls to completion using assigned roles and responsibilities inclusive of remediation toward assignments to achieve outcomes leading to CMMC 2.0 Level 2 and/or 3 assessment ratings.  

Technology Implementation and Support  

• Lead the deployment of secure computing environments tailored to CUI research requirements.  

• Coordinate the development of technical solutions for researchers, system configuration, networks, cloud environments, client systems, maintenance, and support with distributed controlled research program personnel.  

• Contribute annual performance evaluation feedback for distributed personnel performance to Controlled Research Program objectives.  

• Provide technical guidance and optimization of CUI research infrastructure. Collaborate with distributed Controlled Research personnel for Tier 2 and higher technical support.  

Compliance and Risk Management  

• Collaborate with institutional compliance teams, policy, and risk assessment leaders to ensure adherence to both Federal and Baylor University policies for  

Participate in periodic risk assessments and security audits of CUI research environments.  

• Support the development and maintenance of System Security Plans to document security architectures and controls in collaboration with the ITS Cybersecurity team.  

• In partnership with the Assistant Vice President, Research Technology complete annual Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) scoring and report to the Department of Defense.  

• Collaborate with the Baylor University Research Security Officer to fulfill requests and communicate information periodically on secure computing environment utilization.  

• Partner with the Baylor University – Office of Research Compliance to respond to regulatory requirement changes, improvements, and documentation to fulfill federal requirements.  

Stakeholder Collaboration  

• Act as a liaison between researchers, IT staff, Vice Provost for Research team members, and align technical solutions with research needs.  

• Organize technology training sessions and materials for researchers and staff on proper use of secure systems and associated technologies.  

• Maintain effective communication channels with stakeholders throughout the setup, management, and closeout of research awards with CUI requirements.  

•  Develop online materials to assist researchers with proposal development for federal research awards submitted to the Department of Defense and their contractors.  

• Partner with the Baylor University – Research Development Office to ensure grant solicitation opportunities for Department of Defense research contains appropriate costs and funding sources, contain accurate technology descriptions, data management plans, and will be securely implemented.  

Strategic Planning  

• Provide recommendations to leadership on the development of a strategic roadmap for enhancing technology services that support CUI research.  

• Remain informed of emerging technologies and regulatory changes impacting secure research environments, academic security, insider threat, and data exfiltration.  

• Provide recommendations to senior leadership on investments in secure IT infrastructure, staff resources, staff performance, and accountability to deliver work against the required objectives of the program.  

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