Coordinating Center Manager

(ID: 2026-1480)

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a Coordinating Center Manager to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Center for Advancing Translation Sciences (NCATS) located in Rockville, MD.

Benefits We Offer:

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

• 401K match up to 5%

• Educational Benefits for Career Growth

• Employee Referral Bonus

• Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Healthcare (FSA)

• Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)

• Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)

• Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Overview 

The NIH SOM (Standardized Organoid Modeling) Coordinating Center Manager will oversee and manage the centralized coordination of a national and/or international initiative focused on enabling standardized organoid model systems across research institutions, biotech partners, and regulatory bodies. This individual will play a pivotal role in coordinating protocols, harmonizing data from multiple groups, normalization of efforts, managing communication and data-sharing frameworks, and ensuring operational alignment among stakeholders. The manager will drive operational excellence, support strategic planning, and oversee implementation of collaborative infrastructure to support reproducibility, transparency, and scalability of NIH SOM activities. The position emphasizes operational leadership, coordination, governance, and execution in support of scientific leadership provided by the NIH SOM Director and the NIH SOM AI Director.

Key Responsibilities 

The Coordinating Center Manager will develop and implement an operational roadmap for organoid to support the organoid model standardization efforts, facilitating coordinating and alignment across diverse stakeholders and the manager will support NIH SOM leadership engagement in national and international forums. The manager will oversee coordination of a data repository and portal that supports visibility, access, and governance of organoid models developed through the NIH SOM center. They will oversee daily operations of the Coordinating Center, manage partner engagement, and internal communications, and ensure governance processes, timelines, and reporting requirements are consistently followed. This role includes operational organization and logistical support of scientific advisory boards, including but not limited to maintaining timelines and deliverables, and ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines, governance policies, and reproducibility standards. The manager will oversee coordination of processes related to the acquisition, documentation, and ethical compliance of starting biological material—including patient-derived cells, stem cells, or tissue biopsies—used for organoid development. The Manager will ensure traceability of documentation, and adherence to established standard operating procedures and ensure that all documentation is maintained according to GDP standards and that it is available for audit or inspection at point. The Manager will oversee coordination of outreach and communications activities of Coordinating Center to support NIH SOM priorities and leadership-defined by scientific needs.

The manager will oversee the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of SOPs, QC workflows, and documentation practices in coordination with scientific and technical teams. In addition, they will supervise the adoption and integration of digital tools that enable coordination, data harmonization, protocol sharing, version control, and performance tracking while working closely with AI/ML teams to align reporting standards. Finally, the manager will coordinate external and internal engagements with funding agencies and regulatory partners, prepare operational and strategic reports, and support dissemination activities such as white papers, briefings, and symposia in alignment with NIH SOM Scientific leadership.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should possess a Master’s degree (MPA, MPH, MBA, MSc or related field) or higher in public administration, public health, biomedical sciences, or a related field. The successful candidate will bring 10 or more years of progressive leadership experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder programs or consortia within federal, academic, or national initiatives. Demonstrated expertise is required in:

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Strategic program and project management for large, multi-institutional efforts

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Oversight of federally funded programs, cooperative agreements, or programs including compliance, reporting, and performance monitoring

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Leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, including scientific, operational, and administrative personnel

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Facilitating consensus-building among diverse stakeholders and translating strategic goals into executable work plans

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Developing and maintaining governance structures, standard operating procedures, and continuous improvement processes

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Demonstrated experience leading operational coordination, program management offices (PMOs), or execution functions for large, complex initiatives in regulated environments

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Candidates must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing briefings, reports, and materials for senior leadership, advisory boards, and external partners.; familiarity with digital platforms, data-sharing environments, or enterprise systems supporting program coordination; and experience operating within federal or academic compliance frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidates will demonstrate one or more of the following:

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Experience supporting or coordinating NIH, CDC, or other HHS-funded programs, centers, or consortia

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Proven success managing multimillion-dollar funding portfolios or complex cooperative agreements and programs

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Experience operating at the interface of academia, government, and external partners (e.g., industry, non-profits)

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Familiarity with data governance, performance metrics, or continuous improvement frameworks used in large public-sector initiatives

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Experience supporting high-visibility, time-sensitive, or mission-critical initiatives

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Scientific domain expertise in organoid biology or related laboratory research areas is desirable but not required; the position emphasizes coordination, governance, and operational leadership in support of scientific excellence.

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [email protected]

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

Salary Range
$140,000—$160,000 USD