Associate Director, Project Management

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually POSITION SUMMARY: The Associate Director, Qualitative Research is responsible for leading a team of Project Managers and Coordinators, ensuring consistent, high-quality execution and excellent client experience across all projects. This role owns team performance, day-to-day delivery, project staffing, and the development of team capabilities. The Associate Director, Qualitative Research will report to the Senior Director of Project Management. The Associate Director, Qualitative Research serves as the critical link between strategy and execution—translating expectations from senior leadership into clear direction for the team, while bringing forward frontline insights, risks, and opportunities. This role requires strong people leadership, operational rigor, and the ability to proactively manage performance, staffing, capacity, and client outcomes. We expect this role to management between four and six Project Managers and additional Project Coordinators. This amount may fluctuate depending on TriVoca Health’s business needs. The Associate Director, Qualitative Research must be effective in managing up, down, and across—coaching teams, partnering cross-functionally, coordinating with Sales on new project assignments, and stepping into escalations to drive resolution and clarity. Success in this role requires serving as a true leader across the project management & project coordination teams, proactively identifying challenges, seeking solutions, and taking ownership of implementation rather than waiting for direction. The Associate Director, Qualitative Research must effectively balance strategic thinking and continuous improvement with hands-on tactical project delivery and consistent execution. This is a remote position, offering the opportunity to lead a dynamic team and collaborate with colleagues around the globe . KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Team Leadership & Performance Management Own the performance of Project Managers and Coordinators, including coaching, development, and performance management Set clear expectations for communication, quality, and project execution; reinforce accountability across the team Provide consistent, direct feedback and take timely action to address performance gaps Build a team culture rooted in ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement Project Staffing & Capacity Management Responsible for assigning new projects within their portfolio of accounts owned Own the timely placement (less than 24 hours) of newly won projects with Project Managers, considering capacity, experience, client alignment, development opportunities, and overall workload balance During periods where other Associate Directors, Qualitative Research are out of office, proactively plan for coverage to ensure continuous management of project assignments Serve as the primary project delivery liaison to Sales, maintaining clear communication regarding staffing status, timing, constraints, and any risks that could affect project launch Maintain accurate and current visibility into team capacity, upcoming availability, out-of-office coverage, and account-specific staffing considerations Escalate staffing constraints or competing priorities promptly and work with leadership and peers to identify practical solutions Continuously review the project management and project coordinator team out of office calendar to ensure team members are able to use their earned time off while also guaranteeing the team has enough capacity to execute project loads Project Delivery & Execution Oversight Oversee day-to-day project execution to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to timelines Proactively monitor project health, identifying risks related to sample, communication, or delivery and intervening early Step into escalations as needed, driving resolution while maintaining client confidence and internal alignment Directly manage approximately 3–4 active projects at any given time to help balance team workloads, stay connected to day-to-day workflows, and identify opportunities for improvement Operational Excellence & Process Consistency Reinforce and uphold SOPs, best practices, and communication standards across the team Identify recurring issues or inefficiencies and partner with leadership to implement improvements Conduct quality reviews and audits to ensure consistent execution and identify development opportunities Ensure accurate use of systems, trackers, and tools to support visibility and operational effectiveness Working in combination with the Senior Directors of Project Management & other business partners, identify gaps in current business processes and find proactive solutions to solve those business problems Cross-Functional Partnership Partner closely with Recruiting, Sales, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment from feasibility through project execution Serve as the primary point of contact for project-related escalations, balancing client needs with operational realities Foster strong working relationships across teams, reinforcing clear roles, responsibilities, and communication expectations Team Development & Capability Building Proactively identify performance, skill, or execution gaps within the assigned Project Management team; raise material concerns to leadership and take ownership of appropriate corrective support Serve as the primary trainer and coach when new team members join the company Provide timely, in-the-moment coaching when issues arise, clearly reinforcing expectations and documenting follow-up actions when appropriate Both in direct team and across wider Qual team Develop and facilitate more structured coaching or training sessions when recurring or broader capability gaps are identified Partner with leadership on formal performance management when coaching and development efforts do not result in sustained improvement Actively manage disciplinary system for each team member and owning the implementation of improvement plans or more significant disciplinary actions Support career development and growth of Project Managers and Coordinators Reinforce expectations that team improvement and process improvement are core responsibilities of the role CORE COMPETENCIES: Client-focused and strategic: Trusted leader in delivering exceptional client experiences while balancing organizational priorities; anticipates client needs and drives solutions. Leadership and coaching: Inspires and develops high-performing teams through mentorship, continuous feedback, and professional growth initiatives. Process-oriented and adaptable: Expert at driving operational excellence, managing capacity, and continuously improving workflows to meet evolving business needs. Problem-solver and consultative partner: Skilled at identifying challenges, providing actionable solutions, and guiding teams and stakeholders through complex situations. Communication and influence: Exceptional verbal and written communicator; translates complex details into clear, actionable guidance for teams and stakeholders. Collaboration and partnership: Master at building trusted relationships; highly experienced in fostering strong, lasting connections across Sales, account management, and cross-functional teams. Empathy and approachability: Creates a supportive and empowering environment, balancing advocacy for team members with organizational goals. Agility and composure: Maintains focus, professionalism, and decisiveness in fast-paced, dynamic environments while leading teams through change. ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS AT TRIVOCA (MANAGER LEVEL): At TriVoca, Managers are expected to model and reinforce how work gets done. Successful ADPM's demonstrate: Ownership and pride in team output: Sets a high bar for quality and consistency, ensuring work delivered by the team reflects strong attention to detail and accountability Curiosity with intent to improve: Asks “why” to understand breakdowns in execution, using insights to coach team members and improve processes Builds trust through consistency and follow-through: Creates a reliable team environment by delivering on commitments and holding others accountable to do the same Low ego, team-first leadership: Prioritizes team success over individual recognition; steps in where needed and supports the broader organization Strong emotional intelligence in team leadership: Provides direct, constructive feedback while maintaining trust and professionalism; effectively navigates team dynamics Drives execution and gets work across the finish line Ensures projects and team responsibilities move forward efficiently, removing barriers and maintaining momentum QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred 3–5 years of people management experience, ideally leading Project Managers or similar roles 5+ years of qualitative project management or related experience Demonstrated ability to manage team performance, multiple projects, and competing priorities Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills Experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments Proficiency with project management and digital platforms; strong Excel skills preferred ABOUT TRIVOCA At TriVoca, we are committed to delivering exceptional client experiences through strong partnerships, operational excellence, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement. We are building teams that are accountable, collaborative, and driven to evolve alongside the needs of our clients and our industry. Job Type: Exempt, Full-time Location: Remote Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, PTO, holidays