Data Linkage Operations Manager - Remote Eligible

Data Linkage Operations Manager

GDIT is seeking an experienced Data Linkage Operations Manager to lead planning, coordination, and delivery of program-level services for a federal data access and linkage initiative. This role is accountable for how researchers and studies move through the program and ensuring these services are predictable, compliant, and user-friendly. The Data Linkage Operations Manager reports to the Data Access Program Director and works closely with government sponsors and task leads for data linkage, and PPRL to translate program goals into integrated operational plans and measurable outcomes.

How a Program Operations Manager Will Make an Impact

• Own the opportunity to plan, implement, and operate the services that researchers and studies use to access linked and unlinked data, including intake, DUAs, Privacy Board processes, training, and technical assistance. Ensure that every step of the data access journey is transparent, timely, and aligned with federal requirements and program priorities.
• Lead implementation and execution for program operations, including study intake, DUAs, workflows, stakeholder engagement, communications, training/technical assistance, and program reporting.
• Direct day-to-day operations, including DUA processing activities, Privacy Board support, stakeholder communications, budgets, training, and technical assistance.
• Coordinate with enclave, data linkage, and PPRL leadership to align operational processes and timelines so that services support technical delivery and researcher needs.
• Translate policy, privacy, and governance requirements into practical processes, SOPs, templates, and tools that guide program operations and user interactions.
• Own dashboards and metrics for intake volumes, DUA and review cycle times, technical assistance and training activity, and user satisfaction, and drive continuous improvement using data-driven process changes and automation.
• Manage relationships with program staff, stakeholders, funded studies, research users, and partner organizations, ensuring clear communication, expectation management, and timely issue resolution.
• Lead, support, and develop program operations staff, including subcontractor management, staffing plans, and rapid onboarding to meet evolving program demands.
• Plan and execute program-operations-related transition activities, including orderly transfer of program materials, SOPs, communications assets, tracking tools, and documentation.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Doctor's degree in a relevant field such as health services research, health policy, health informatics, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, biostatistics, etc.
• 7+ years managing complex federal research, health data, or program operations initiatives with multiple stakeholders and concurrent workstreams.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver program objectives on time and within scope.
• Project and program management skills, including planning, risk management, budgeting, and stakeholder management.
• Experience with data access, privacy, or governance environments, DUAs, review boards, and federal oversight processes.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and refine operational processes, workflows, and templates that improve throughput, quality, and user experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including status reports, dashboards, briefings, and guidance documents for senior government and technical audiences.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher and authorization to work in the United States.
• Travel at 10–25% to support on-site collaboration primarily in the DC Metro area.

Preferred

• 11+ years managing complex federal research, health data, or program operations initiatives with multiple stakeholders and concurrent workstreams.
• Prior experience leading program operations for federal health/research programs, involving data access/sharing, RWD, data linkage, and PPRL.
• Industry certifications such as PMP, Agile, ITIL, or other credentials.
• Relevant technical certifications support federal data programs.
• Familiarity with data lifecycle management, DUAs, governance workflows, and metrics/reporting in federal research settings.