The Senior Research Administration Manager of the Department of Pediatric Oncology reports directly to the Department Administrator and is a key member of the Department’s Leadership Team.

The Senior Research Administration Manager provides primary oversight of all day-to-day activities within the Business Office of the Department/Division and provides direct support and backup to the Department Administrator. The Senior Research Administration Manager acts as an alternate to the Department Administrator and when needed, fulfills some or all the duties of the Department Administrator role.

Specific oversight responsibilities are determined by departmental/division needs and at the discretion of the Department Administrator, but may include some or all the following:

• Pre- and Post-Award Oversight and Management.
• Financial Operations
• Managing Research Administration staff and other direct reports.
• Operations
• Facilities Management
• Department Communications
• Department Human Resource activities in coordination and partnership with the Department of Human Resources
• Process Improvement
• Creating and/or maintaining standard operating procedures
• Training

The Senior Research Administration Manager is responsible for partnering with Institute central offices including but not limited to, Research Finance, Accounts Payable, Supply Chain, Research Administration, Special Funds, Grants and Contracts, the Clinical Trials Office, Office of General Counsel, and the Innovations Office.

The Senior Research Administration Manager functions not only as a subject matter expert in research administration, but also as a leader within the department and is responsible for direct management of research administration staff.

The Senior Research Administration Manager serves as an advisor to the research administration team and business office personnel to guide them on day-to-day operations and personnel matters such as conflict management and holding difficult conversations.

In addition to grant management and personnel management responsibilities, the Senior Research Administration Manager will lead or delegate others on the team to participate in special projects/assignments either within the department or across departments and will represent the department at Institutional committees/workgroups.

If delegated, the Senior Research Administration Manager would oversee the work of the delegate.

This staff member serves as an extension of the Department Administrator and together work on goal setting, process improvement, and standard operating procedures to evaluate current workflows to ensure the highest level of quality and efficiency.

The Senior Research Administration Manager is responsible for partnering with department leadership and faculty to develop and implement strategy and provide guidance and expertise.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Coordinate with Department Administrator on departmental and institutional matters impacting research staff or faculty.

Responsible for the following primary functions:

• Finance – Assisting with monitoring of all departmental funds
• Human Resources - Assisting in the management and operations of all departmental staff including supervision of direct reports, directing, managing, and coaching staff, completion of annual performance reviews, goal setting, and professional development, workload, and resource allocation.
• Compliance – maintain awareness of federal, state, and institutional guidelines/regulations pertaining to policies and research administration.

May be responsible for some/all the following:

• Work with the Department Administrator to prepare for annual goal setting and strategic planning
• Manage daily operations of departmental programs
• Maintain administrative and operational support systems that may include databases and other information systems specific to assigned areas of expertise
• Coordinate space allocation and moves
• Coordinate symposium, conferences, trainings, communications

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage all levels of Department Research Administration staff, and potentially administrative staff or students

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree is preferred
• 7 years and 3 years of people management experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

The Senior Research Administration Manager will have the following skills:

• Ability to multi-task and delegate
• Effective communication skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of Research Administration, including, pre-award, post-award, HR, Operations and Compliance activities. Process Improvement
• Computer literacy:  Expert with new applications and software programs. Expertise with Excel/ Google Sheets preferred.
• Organization: Extensive experience with electronic document and email file storage. Able to complete projects with expertise, accuracy and on time. Adept at prioritization and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and planning skills. Ability to multi-task and delegate. Strong attention to detail. Effective communication skills.
• Customer Service: Provides superb written and verbal communication. Demonstrated expertise with listening, inquiry, follow-up, and problem-solving skills. 
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrated expertise assessing complex situations and developing solutions. Extensive experience with analyzing grant data through research, comprehension and application of regulations, policies, and procedures including NIH and other Federal, state and foundation regulations.
• Financial:  Expertise with budgeting principles, including projections and the integration of multiple complex awards and types with varying project periods.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Highly skilled at cultivating relationships with faculty, research staff, department’s RA team, RA in other departments, and central departments.
• Institute operations and processes: Highly skilled at directing faculty and researchers to appropriate departmental and institutional resources, including for issues or queries outside the standard scope direct responsibility. Expert knowledge of regulations, policies, and DFCI standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Process Improvement: highly skilled at reviewing and analyzing the efficiency/performance of various procedures and able to create new and more efficient and customer service centric processes.
• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity: Promotes inclusive community where human differences are valued and celebrated and where all are welcome.  Creates an inclusive work environment that engages and retains talent.

Other:

• Able to lead and influence projects within the Department and across the Institute’s research central offices. Independently discusses and troubleshoots complex issues. Shares ideas openly and accurately, and communicates them effectively, both in writing and verbally.
• Expert client-service, people management, and project management skills.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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