Project Coordinator

Job Summary :

The Department of Medical Social Sciences (MSS) is a research department within the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

One of the foci of the department faculty is the development, validation and application of patient-reported outcomes measures (surveys / questionnaires) that assess various aspects of health, such as symptoms, health-related quality of life, and health status.

We develop these questionnaires in English, but also need them in different languages for clinical or research purposes.

• One large library of these questionnaires is referred to as HealthMeasures. We do not do translations in the department, but we do work with the clinician, researcher or company that wants the translation(s);
• we educate, advise, and coordinate the translation process with the person or company requesting the translation(s) and the translation company;
• we monitor the process and maintain the repository of existing translations; we conduct quality review of new translations;

and we license and distribute the translated HealthMeasures questionnaires once the translations are completed. The MSS Translations Unit is in charge of the scientific activity related to multilingual translation.

Reports to : Director of Translations, who oversees all of the HealthMeasures translation-related activity in the Department of Medical Social Sciences

Job Scope : This position is responsible for supporting all the translation management activity of Health Measures, primarily assisting in all translation quality control activity, and effectively communicating with clients and vendors throughout the translation request / delivery cycle.

Key Responsibilities :

Translation content-related tasks :

• Performing quality review of translations according to guidelines
• Maintaining documentation of translation issues and their resolution
• Maintaining the translations repository and records
• Cross-referencing information to identify what needs to be translated and maintaining tracking documents
• Creating and maintaining item definitions

Administrative tasks :

• Preparing quotes and license agreements to send to clients who request translations of HM questionnaires
• Preparing materials to send to clients for new translations (e.g. gathering relevant existing translations, item definitions)
• Updating clients on project timelines and status
• Preparing certifications of translation
• Ensuring all formats (PDFs) are ready for delivery for each available language
• Updating translations information for the Health Measures website
• Tracking and maintaining records of client requests (i.e., quotes / licenses and measures requested)

Specific Responsibilities :

Administration

• Manages day to day operations.
• Ensures that program / project mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented & maintained.
• Manages design and development of program databases; compiles & analyzes data; prepares reports.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program / project to achieve its goals and objectives.

Budgets & Financial

Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor / account research as needed; obtains additional information or provides instruction & guidance by phone, US- or e- mail from customers / vendors; corrects or escalates.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Strengthens partnerships with external resources by defining, promoting and marketing benefits of participation and involvement to the organization.
• Creates and nurtures relationships with organizations to develop a network of enthusiastic organizations engaged via active participation in the success of program / project.

Program Development

• Identifies & obtains external expertise as needed and works with content experts for current and new programs.
• Reviews programs / projects to increase efficiencies to support growth.

Regulatory Compliance

Prepares documentation as required.

Strategic Planning

Administers & maintains existing strategic plans.

Minimum Qualifications : (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree;

OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

1 year program / project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent communication skills, especially written
• Excellent organization, time management, prioritization, and planning skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Fluency in a language other than English, at or near native level

Preferred Qualifications : (Education and experience)

Three years’ experience with translation of written materials in the health-related survey / medical field.

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Target hiring range for this position will be between $49,850-$62,595 per year or per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.