Senior Manager, Clinical Guideline Methodology & Operations
Description
Senior Manager, Clinical Guideline Methodology and Operations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for children’s healthcare, is seeking an experienced research professional with a proven ability to evaluate and synthesize scientific literature and strong expertise in clinical guideline development, including application of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework. This role provides strategic and methodological oversight for developing and updating AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), ensuring they are rigorous, transparent, and aligned with evidence-based best practices. Responsibilities include managing the full lifecycle of guideline development, from topic selection through publication, supervising staff and consultants, contributing to scoping and systematic reviews, and supporting expert panels in translating evidence into clinical recommendations. This position also serves as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders to advance the AAP’s clinical guidance and promote evidence-based pediatric care.
Some tasks include:
1. Oversee the full guideline development process, including topic proposal, expert panel selection, formulation of clinical questions, literature review, manuscript development, and publication.
2. Lead standardized processes for CPG topic prioritization, using scoping reviews, member feedback, and surveillance of emerging evidence.
3. Collaborate with CPG Methodologist to guide expert panels in applying the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, & Evaluation (GRADE) framework to assess certainty of evidence, develop Key Action Statements, and assign strength of recommendations.
4. Actively contribute to scoping and systematic reviews including study selection, data abstraction, synthesis, and quality appraisal; conduct meta-analyses and narrative evidence syntheses as needed.
5. Communicate findings of scoping and systematic reviews to technical workgroups, expert panels, and other stakeholders in a clear and actionable format.
6. Provide staff leadership for the AAP Section on Epidemiology, Public Health, and Evidence (SOEPHE); develop and implement strategies to engage members in literature reviews and evidence-based medicine initiatives.
7. Supervise and mentor staff. Encourage a work environment that promotes inclusion and belonging of all staff. Support ongoing staff development, help set objectives, ensure staff operate in a fiscally prudent manner, maintain confidentiality, operate with high ethical standards, and provide excellent service to staff.
8. Oversee consultant contracts and deliverables (eg, medical writers, epidemiologists) supporting guideline development.
9. Represent AAP in collaborations with Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) and other external agencies contributing to guideline development and evidence reviews.
10. Support alignment of CPG processes with broader AAP policy operations and ensure key processes are documented and updated regularly.
11. Manage assigned budgets and report on variances.
Qualified candidates will possess:
1. Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, clinical research, social science or health science field required.
2. At least five years’ related experience in clinical, health services, or social science research and/or delivery of health care services, with demonstrated expertise evaluating and synthesizing scientific literature. Strong knowledge of research methodology, scientific writing, literature appraisal, and translating evidence into clinical or policy recommendations is essential. Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with competing timelines and deliverables, and supervising staff required.
3. Strong knowledge of clinical or scientific research methodology is required. Excellent critical thinking, organizational, project management, leadership, interpersonal, diplomacy, and written/verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey technical findings to diverse audiences. Must be able to pay close attention to detail; manage complex, multi-step projects involving diverse stakeholders and tight deadlines; coordinate clinical guideline development across multi-year timelines; take initiative, work both independently and as part of a team, collaborate effectively with various internal and external constituents, promote and maintain a positive and cooperative team-oriented work environment with a commitment to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Strong technical acumen essential with proficiency in MS Office and the ability to learn and apply new technologies; experience with document collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams), reference management or systematic review software (e.g., EndNote, Covidence), electronic literature databases (e.g., PubMed, MEDLINE), GRADE or similar frameworks, and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., WebEx, Teams) preferred. Some travel and occasional evening/weekend work may be required.
To learn more about the organization, see the full job description, and apply for the position, please visit https://www.aap.org/employment.
Hybrid work environment of 40% of work time in the Itasca, IL office per month.
The AAP offers an excellent work environment, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. As a reaffirmation to our employee-focused culture, since 2005 the AAP has been named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans that values the strength diversity brings to our workplace.
Reasonable Accommodation: Individuals with a disability in need of reasonable accommodation regarding the job application process may call 630-626-6297. Please note, only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will receive a response.
A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $107,395.12 – $113,361.56. Compensation decisions take into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, business needs, and organizational policies. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare and retirement savings plans. Click to see all benefits offered: https://downloads.aap.org/DOHRAS/BenefitsAtAAP.pdf.
Location: Itasca,
Job Type: Full-time
Contact
Contact: Sue Mueller
Phone:
Email: resumes@aap.org
Website: https://www.aap.org/employment