Do you see the big picture AND track the details? Do you thrive in managing others to support program success, achieve research project milestones, and address a variety of challenges? Do you have an interest in working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary academic and clinical research environment?
The Center for Learning Health System Sciences (CLHSS) is seeking a Research Programs Director (RPD) that will oversee the research portfolio and a team of project managers, data scientists, and data analysts in support of learning health system (LHS) research, data, technology solutions, and innovation. This position will be responsible for the CLHSS research portfolio management and development, designing and creating standard processes and providing elements of program and project management in collaboration with the CLHSS Leadership Team and in alignment with strategic plans and institutional priorities. The ideal candidate for this position will be both business savvy and have an understanding of data science/analytics including various data technologies in order to support and develop staff and processes for end-to-end research project management
The Research Programs Director will report to the CLHSS Administrative Director. CLHSS is composed of a core and five programs spanning the data-knowledge-practice LHS lifecycle including evidence synthesis, pragmatic trials, digital health, and data democratization and model development. Given the diversity of research underway, the Research Programs Director will work with a range of teams and functions including researchers, clinicians, designers, research administration, and technical staff.
The successful candidate will be knowledgeable in most aspects of the research process in order to direct, support, and move forward in a productive direction a wide variety of matters ranging from help with service request intake to project development and data management. This leader is technical, but also requires operational expertise to work cross-functionally within clinical and academic research and IT environments to break down barriers and promote learning health system research and capabilities. Given the breadth of responsibility, problems encountered are varied and unpredictable and typically are resolved with minimal guidance and oversight from the supervisor. Decisions are guided by policies, procedures, and business plans, which may not yet be written, and will need to be developed. CLHSS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its staffing, operations, and research.
Duties/Responsibilities:
40%: Portfolio Management & Program Health
Plan, Develop, and Manage the research portfolio of the center, assess and support the scientific health and vibrancy of each team, and implement strategic priorities and initiatives.
Direct incoming requests for services, develop scope of work documentation, and when applicable partner with CLHSS internal services organization manager for requirements gathering and quoting, tracking, and billing.
Develop and track milestones and program metrics to demonstrate program value and maturity.
Provide oversight of and direction to program/project managers and coordinators, to meet defined project deliverables, annual goals and metrics.
Partner with the regulatory specialist to ensure that regulatory compliant standard operating procedures are followed center-wide.
Support the development of new initiatives and realignment of existing programs through oversight and management of processes and systems.
Facilitate and structure workflows for Center leadership, investigators and UMN staff, collaborators at M Health Fairview and other health system partners, external research personnel, advisors, consultants, and faculty.
40%: People Management
Provide leadership for staff and foster a professional, diverse and equitable working environment within the center for people from all backgrounds, communities, and identities, where staff are empowered and accountable.
Directly oversee and manage program/project managers, coordinators, and other staff reporting up through the research programs within the center.
Develop staff capacity and consult with core and program leadership to determine staff work plans and goals with overall center and core/program strategies.
Develop strategic relationships with cross-organizational stakeholders from clinical, technical, research, and faculty areas while mitigating competing requests for resources.
20%: CLHSS Strategy & Optimization
Actively participate on the center leadership team
In partnership with CLHSS Directors, organize and implement the center strategic planning process pertaining to the research portfolio
Present to the CLHSS external and internal advisory boards. Synthesize and operationalize advisory board recommendations as appropriate.
Identify and lead business process and technology improvement projects to enhance the performance of the center
Lead project status/metric dashboard for continuous reporting and compilation of center annual report.
Required Qualifications:
BA/BS with at least 8 years of research/program management experience or an advanced degree plus 6 years of related experience
Prior oversight and management of a cross-disciplinary team or small department
Prior experience managing clinical and/or translational research studies.
Strong analytical skills with established organization and project management strategies to keep track of details in the context of the larger objectives and manage multiple responsibilities and initiatives
Ability to work independently, as a part of a team, and with changing priorities
Demonstrated ability to manage others, set and maintain deadlines, prioritize assignments, proactively problem-solve
Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with health data, data science and digital health
Experience with regulatory aspects (e.g. IRB and FDA) of conducting clinical research
University of Minnesota experience
Healthcare experience or experience working in a healthcare system
Experience working on federally funded projects, including pre- and post-award
HIPAA & CITI Training
Graduate degree or project management certification (PMP or equivalent)
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.