Associate Director, Process & Policy

PCORI • Washington, DC

22h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is seeking an Associate Director, Process & Policy to join their Program Operations team. This role reports to the Director, ALM, and will be instrumental in leading the ALM unit's program and project management functions. The position involves providing strategic leadership, collaboration, and coordination across PCORI divisions for critical activities such as funding opportunity development and release, outreach, post-review funding approval processes, and the development and implementation of funding policies and processes. The role is primarily internally focused, supporting the Director, ALM, and team, and fostering collaboration within ALM and across other Program Operations units, Patient-Centered Research Programs Department divisions, and all other divisions of PCORI. The Associate Director will also assist in evaluating and improving current processes to ensure best practices and high achievement regarding industry benchmarks. While the focus is internal, some external liaising with nonprofit healthcare research funding partners on best practices and innovation may be requested. Success requires thoughtful management, mentorship, organization, fostering trust and respect, effective change management, and the ability to build strong relationships and collaborations. This position is located in Washington, DC and requires employees to work onsite 3 days per week.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in research funding programmatic and/or operational leadership, management, and/or execution, ideally working with a variety of research funding models in a health research funding environment.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing staff and leading teams in a collaborative environment.
• Mission-driven.
• Externally focused and committed to providing the highest level of service while remaining aligned with the mission of the organization.
• Strategic: sets priorities wisely and makes tough resource allocation decisions, always finding a way to forward strategic initiatives while enriching relationships.
• Collaborative: communicates and coordinates effectively at every level; shares information, works cooperatively, seeks out relevant, inclusive information, decides on the appropriate steps, and achieves the desired results.
• Leader: a facilitator and team builder who sets an example of respect, trustworthiness, support, and accountability; proven experience coaching, mentoring, and developing staff at all professional levels.
• Gravitas: confident and engaging communication style; can see the big picture, balance priorities, and remain confident and flexible in a high-visibility environment.
• Professionalism: sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in working with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• A cover letter is required for application to this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or equivalent degree in a relevant field, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and leverage close collaborations across the programmatic divisions of the Patient-Centered Research Programs Department (Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER), Engagement, Dissemination, & Implementation (EDI), and Research Infrastructure & Innovation (RII)) to effectively implement PCORI’s programmatic goals.
• Contribute to ALM leadership and execution of coordination, collaboration, and development of all new funding opportunity initiatives, gathering and exchanging information from key internal stakeholders.
• Support ALM’s collaboration with PCORI’s Communications division to advance award outreach and communications strategies.
• Contribute to the refinement of current policies and processes and implement relevant best practices and/or innovative business procedures and efficiencies.
• Ensure PCORI is a leading voice and innovator in the nonprofit health research funding sector through external work with peers.
• Assist the Director, ALM in collaborating with PCORI’s Planning & Evaluation division to identify methods to track progress, interpret evaluation findings, and incorporate lessons learned.
• Contribute to leadership of intra-ALM and cross-functional interactions across all divisions of the PCRP and other PCORI departments.
• Serve as a member of the Program Operations leadership team, contributing to strategies and special projects.
• Provide additional oversight and support the professional development of a highly effective team of staff and contractors.
• Oversee and provide guidance for the effective and collaborative development, refinement, and execution of the PCORI annual funding cycle timeline.
• Support the Director, ALM in ensuring consistency, efficiency, and efficacy in the development of funding opportunities.
• Maintain close collaboration with the Associate Director, Systems & Support to ensure technological functionalities meet the requirements of upcoming funding announcements and the award funding lifecycle.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support for cross-division meetings and other modes of effective internal communication.
• Enhance collaborative outreach and communications strategies with respect to PCORI funding opportunities.
• Oversee and support activities to develop, maintain, or refine workforce or other needs of the team.
• Interact effectively with all members of ALM, PCORI senior staff, PCORI staff at all levels, and external stakeholders/sector leaders.
• Foster, support, and align with the Program Operations goal of proactively cultivating a culture of support, synergy, respect, trustworthiness, and accountability.
• Support the Director, ALM in leading the identification, formulation, revision, implementation, and compliance monitoring of PCORI policies and procedures relating to award development and implementation.
• Develop or refine coordination and/or collaboration processes to ensure policies are effectively informed by and communicated to all stakeholders.
• Represent PCORI at relevant sector events, including research communities, and promote our unique patient-centered approach to merit review, as necessary and at the request of the Director, ALM.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may participate in PCORI-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents.
• PCORI requires all PCORI employees to disclose upon commencement of their employment and on an annual basis all individual and close relatives financial, business, and personal association with the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one’s decisions relating to PCORI.
• PCORI conducts reference and background checks on all applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager