(Hybrid) Data Collection Center Manager - Health Affairs Institute

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Data Collection Center Manager.

About the Opportunity

West Virginia University's Health Affairs Institute is seeking a qualified and experienced Data Collection Center Manager to lead operations within the Center for Measurement and Health Data Analytics. This key management role is instrumental in supporting HAI's mission to ensure the quality, security, and appropriate use of health data for research, program evaluation, and policy development.

The Data Collection Center Manager will oversee the implementation and management of large-scale data collection activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices in data governance. This role requires a strong blend of leadership, technical expertise and regulatory knowledge, particularly related to HIPAA data and federal data privacy laws.

This role will manage HAI's data collection operations, including staffing, workflow design, and performance monitoring. The Data Collection Center Manager will apply knowledge of data collection activities, quality assurance standards and processes to support the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs). A key function of this position will be to ensure high standards of data integrity, accuracy, and completeness across all Data Collection Center activities. Another critical function is to assist in the identification and mitigation of operational risks associated with handling data that is sensitive. This position will collaborate with WVU and HAI IT teams to support secure data systems and improve technical solutions for data collection and management. This includes identifying opportunities to automate workflows and introducing operational efficiencies in data collection processes.

HAI serves as the coordinating office for WVU's State-University partnership with the WV Department of Health and Human Services (DoHS). Ideal candidates will have work experience that aligns with the Health Affairs Institute's purpose and the mission of DoHS's Bureau for Medical Services, Bureau for Social Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health, or Bureau for Public Health, and an interest in improving the health of underserved populations, particularly rural, Appalachian populations.

This position is hybrid with the requirement of being on-site up to five days a week during active data collection.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Administrative

• Leads and supports the design, implementation, and ongoing management of a comprehensive data collection center to ensure HAI's compliance with HIPAA and other federal, state, and university regulatory requirements related to data collection, management, and security.
• Ensures that all data collection activities are compliant with university-level policies for the responsible conduct of research and data stewardship, as well as applicable federal and state policies.
• Manages the data collection lifecycle for all assigned HAI projects, including data acquisition, validation, documentation, secure transfer, and archiving.
• Identifies and communicates organizational and procedural risks related to data collection processes and the use of sensitive data and provides guidance for addressing those risks.
• Works to understand HAI's vision for data-driven research and program evaluation and translate that vision into operational priorities, staffing plan, and work plans for the Data Collection Center.
• Oversees the implementation and day-to-day management of data collection systems, tools, and workflows in collaboration with the CMHDA Assistant Director, institutional IT partners, and in compliance with Health Sciences Center standards.
• Collaborate with the CMDA Assistant Director to support health data analytics development by ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality data delivery for analysis.
• With guidance from the CMHDA Assistant Director, provides leadership for all data collection operations, including staffing, training, scheduling, performance monitoring and quality assurance.
• Provides input to strategic planning, including new data collection initiatives, staffing needs, and resource requirements related to current and future projects.
• Works closely with HAI, WVU, and HSC partners to proactively identify and resolve issues that may adversely affect data collection efforts.
• Supports data governance and data stewardship activities related to data collection by defining and enforcing procedures for access, consent, documentation, secure handling, and appropriate use of collected data.
• Participates in investigations related to potential breaches, data quality concerns, or improper data handling practices within data collection operations.
• Identifies and recommends corrective actions for individual or systemic issues related to data collection quality, compliance, or performance.
• Assists in developing and delivering training for Data Collection Center staff and other HAI personnel on data collection protocols, quality standards, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Utilizes effective oral and written communication skills to explain data collection requirements, procedures, and expectations to staff.
• Supports WVU faculty, staff, and students by facilitating access to high quality, well documented data for research, evaluation, and state sponsored activities.
• Manges special projects related to improving data collection operations, staffing models, workflow efficiency, or quality improvement initiatives.

Program Management

• Responsible for tracking progress of plans and coordinating with technical subject matter experts to ensure that project expectations are met.

• Responsible for managing and coordinating day-to-day productivity and task management.

• Serves as direct contact to all parties, including the Program Development and Management Office. The program manager will be accountable for meeting all active targets and deadlines.

• Organizes and coordinates Health Affairs projects across internal departments and between external research and development partners.

• Works closely with project and HAI leadership to proactively identify risks and resolve issues that may adversely impact projects.

• Comprehends internal and external drivers that influence effective operation, management, and execution of HSC resourcing, planning, programming, and budget execution processes.

• Presents analysis and recommendation to decision makers in an organized manner, including identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to evaluate operational effectiveness.

• Provides proper support for all external collaborative and contracted partners as well as Health Affairs research partners.

• May develop executive presentations for stakeholder communications on strategic initiatives progress, risks and budget results, review and analyze operational reports, and summarize findings.

• Monitors compliance and ensures adherence to all policies and procedures.

• Develop integrated project plans, schedules, and risk tables. Facilitate project schedules and compile project reports.

• Facilitates project meetings.

• Maintains knowledge of professional principles, legal and/or reporting requirements affecting areas of responsibility and adhere to Project Management standards.

• Constantly monitors and project progress coordinating with technical experts to ensure progress is on schedule as planned and mitigates any project lag in the schedule applying project management principles to do so.

• Prepares project status and progress reports as required and keep the team, management, and designated others informed in a timely manner of any emerging project risks or other issues.

• Manages change to the project through a change management plan and resolves all change requests for the project.

• Ensures that all project documentation is complete and accurate.

• May conduct periodic meetings to assess performance, update new procedures, and evaluate current programs related to Health Affairs.

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Informatics, Data Science, Social Science, Information Systems, or related fields. A master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Informatics, Data Analytics, or a related discipline is preferred.

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the following:

• Experience in data collection, research operations, healthcare, public health, compliance, or data management roles involving sensitive or protected data.

• Demonstrated experience of training, supervising, or mentoring staff, particularly in standardized procedures or quality-controlled environments.

• Experience using data collection platforms, survey tools, databases, or data visualization tools to support research, evaluation, or operational reporting.

• Experience building, implementing, or supporting data collection protocols, quality assurance processes, or data governance practices.

• Experience working with external partners, stakeholders, or clients in collaborative or service-orientated environments, such as academic, government, or healthcare settings.

• Any equivalent combination and related education and/or experience will be considered.

• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to project and maintain a positive, collaborative, and solution-oriented leadership style in a team-based environment.
• Working knowledge of health data analytics and how collected data are used for research, program evaluation, and decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of data privacy and confidentiality principles, particularly as applied to data collection and handling of sensitive information.
• Understanding the intersection between academic, clinical, governmental, and private sector systems in support of healthcare and public health initiatives.
• Basic knowledge of healthcare systems, including issues related to access, quality, payment, population health, and patient safety.
• Practical knowledge of data collection methods and research protocols, including surveys, administrative data, and other structured data sources.
• Knowledge of honest broker models and tools in facilitating secure and compliant data sharing for research.
• Ability to understand and apply complex regulatory, legal, and policy language related to data use and protection.
• Ability to clearly articulate complex information to technical staff, leadership, researchers, and external partners across disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication and documentation skills, including development of SOPs, protocols, and training materials.
• Excellent facilitation, diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement skills to lead working groups and cross-organizational initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, IT, state agencies and healthcare partners.
• Strong ability to problem solve complex operational environments, while balancing compliance, data quality, timelines and resource constraints.
• Ability to consistently exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professional direction.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment while also managing responsibilities independently.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism in handling Protected Health Information (PHI), Research Health Information (RHI), and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Strong understanding of state and federal regulations governing the collection, storage, and sharing of sensitive data.
• Working knowledge of common database systems and data collection platforms is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and best practices as they relate to secure data collection and storage.
• Strong Critical thinking and analytical skills to lead teams, assess data quality and operational risks, and implement effective solutions, with attention to detail and process integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with data protection, risk management, or regulatory compliance in healthcare, public health, or research settings, particularly related to the collection and handling of sensitive data.
• Strong understanding of data privacy laws and regulations, including HIPAA, and the practical application to data collection workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale data collection operations, including the use of data collection platforms, survey tools, or administrative data systems.
• Experience applying collected data to research, program evaluation, quality improvement, or policy analysis.
• Proven leadership and staff management skills, including training, supervision, performance monitoring, and quality assurance.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, particularly in identifying and resolving data quality, workflow, or compliance issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, IT partners, and state agencies.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional, mission-driven environment.