The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

Summary

The primary focus of the Administrative Director Research Program position is to apply his/her technical expertise and scientific background to support, develop and implement the scientific and administrative activities of the CHOICES Research Center under the leadership of the Director.

about the CHOICES Research Center

Individuals living with advanced cancer often have to confront complex decisions regarding their treatments, preferred care settings, and care philosophy. Unfortunately, many do not fully grasp the gravity of their illness, leading to treatments that are misaligned with their goals. This often results in frequent emergency room visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and aggressive end-of-life measures.

Goal concordant care, an institutional priority at MD Anderson, aims at improving communication among patients, caregivers and clinicians, enhancing the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer and their families, and delivering high quality end-of-life care. To address these challenges, MD Anderson has established the Communicating Healthcare Options to Inform Care and Empower Strategic Personalized Planning (CHOICES) Research Center. CHOICES aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps by leveraging cutting-edge scientific advancements to tailor appropriate care interventions for the right patient at the right time.

The overarching vision is to establish CHOICES as the preeminent international research center revolutionizing the science of person-centered, goal-concordant, and value-based care. Achieving this vision necessitates collaboration with global experts and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the clinical practices of oncology professionals through research and education.

CHOICES seamlessly aligns with MD Anderson's strategic priorities of expanding its Reach, pursuing Breakthroughs, and delivering Value. Initially, CHOICES will focus on talent acquisition, expert engagement, and the establishment of operational policies and guidelines. CHOICES is expected to accelerate research in patient-clinician communication and supportive/palliative care, ultimately enhancing care for patients with advanced cancer worldwide. This will benefit not only patients but also caregivers, healthcare professionals, and healthcare systems.

Key Functions

Administrative responsibilities

· Collaborates with the Research Center Leadership in fiscal activities of the Research Center, including allocation of funds for strategic research initiatives, budget preparation for programmatic grants and sponsored research agreements, clinical trial activities, and purchase of shared instrumentation. Collaborate with the Director to ensure actual costs are meeting allocated budgets and suggest redistribution based on usage data.

· Collaborates with the Research Center Leadership and Philanthropy Office to actively seek funding opportunities for the Research Center. Prepares strategic plans and research proposals that aligns with foundations'/donors' interests. Serve as a liaison between the institutional PI, Philanthropy office, and donors for seamless conduct of the donor-related activities.

· Works with Research Center Leadership and HR to identify positions need, justify the need, craft position statements, interview and hire staff under the Research Center.

· Supervises the clinical research activities of classified employees funded through CHOICES Research Center. This includes the clinical research team, research database team, research administration team and grant writing team. The administrative director will review and coordinate effort reporting process for Research Center-funded classified employees, in order to ensure distribution of staffing appropriate. Recommend redistribution of staffing or activities to the Research Center Leadership based on periodic assessment of "soft" funded clinical research positions.

· Functions in an independentmanner to monitor progress of Research Center funded research projects. Prepare progress reviews and annual reports on Research Center activities in periodic meetings.

· Acts as a conduit to investigators interested in goal-concordant care research on campus by identifying opportunities for collaboration and funding. Prospectively researches opportunities for intra- and extramural funding that can be leveraged by the Research Center.

· Assists in preparation of collaborative scientific and/or policy manuscripts that have been directly supported through the funding initiatives of Research Center.

· Works with Research Center Leadership to organize project reviews, site visits, external review committees, scientific retreats and advisory board meetings.

· Works with Research Center Leadership to supervise special projects of a scientific and/or administrative nature as assigned (e.g., prepare nominations for scientific awards, prepare slides, website design/update, and other duties as needed).

· Provides representation for the Research Center Leadership at institutional meetings, as needed.

· Liaises with the Steering Committee and Institutional leadership to ensure transparent communication and present administrative and/or scientific aspects of the Research Center.

Scientific responsibilities

· Collaborates with the Research Center Leadership to ensure drafting of clinical research protocols prior to review by CRC and IRB. The types of protocols include clinical trials, surveys, quality improvement initiatives pertaining to goal-concordant care, including investigator initiated trials protocols for Center-related activities. Ensures grant or contractual funding is reviewed and compliance issues (i.e. Representations and Certifications) are met prior to initiation of protocol.

· Collaborates with the Research Center Leadership in preparation of the scientific portions of programmatic grant applications, including but not limited to SPORE, P01, U54, R01, RIT. This includes assistance with the planning and organizational aspects of programmatic grants, coordinating the submission of grant proposals by participating PIs and components, ensuring that the Center remains compliant with grant-related monitoring activities, including IRB, ACUC and progress reports.

Support Research Center Related Initiatives

Be involved in strategic planning for Research Center.

Independently draft, format, and proof-read internal and external documents.

Prepare presentation materials such as pamphlets, Powerpoint presentations, manuals, websites and other documents related to the administrative and/or academic activities of the Research Center.

Work with Research Center leadership to develop draft work plans, timelines, and budgets for internal and external collaborations.

Partner with scientific teams to build collaboration and identify opportunities leading to scientific discovery related to goal concordant care.

Assist with managing and mentoring postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, student interns, and other junior staff to ensure project deliverables and timelines are met.

Attend seminars, meetings, and training to develop and advance scientific knowledge as relevant to job duties.

Other duties as assigned.

Supervision, Training and Quality Assurance

Assist with screening, interviewing, and advising on potential Research Center staff for hire.

Supervise Research Center staff and ensure proper training.

Ensure high quality work is done by research team under his/her supervision. Provide periodic audits and staff evaluations.

Education Required - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field.

Education Required - Master's or PhD in Business Administration or related field.

Experience Required - Six years of administrative experience in a research or academic setting to include four years of grant management and two years of supervisory/management experience in a research, health care or related environment. With preferred degree, four years of required experience. May substitute required degree with additional years of experience in research administration management on a one to one basis. Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate program may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience.

Other Required - Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html