Senior Director, Research and Grants Administration

American Association for Cancer Research•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Senior Director of Research and Grants Administration (RGA) will provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction to AACR’s expansive grants portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President of RGA, the Senior Director will oversee the department’s strategic growth, operational excellence, and key partnerships, including Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). The Senior Director supervises multiple PhD scientists and administrative staff to foster a cohesive and high-performing team aligned with AACR’s mission to cure cancer through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy and advocacy, and funding for cancer research.

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a scientific field related to cancer research or biomedical sciences.
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in research administration, grantmaking, or a related area.
Proven experience managing complex teams and cross-institutional partnerships.
Strong knowledge of biomedical research landscape, funding mechanisms, and compliance requirements.
Excellent strategic planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Occasional travel as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience in drug discovery and development within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead long-term strategic planning for RGA in coordination with the Vice President, ensuring continued innovation and growth in research funding initiatives.
Spearhead cross-functional collaborations to develop new grant mechanisms and partnerships aligned with AACR’s scientific priorities.
Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
Mentors and develops team members, promoting professional growth and leadership development.
Assists the Vice President in developing budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
Represent AACR in external meetings and strategic discussions with foundations, academic institutions, and industry partners.
Maintains professional relationships with other granting agencies and professional organizations to stay current with trends and best practices.
Responsible for overseeing the organization and maintenance of grants program databases and spreadsheets.
Analyzes collected data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can inform decision-making and strategic planning.
Generates regular and ad-hoc reports and presentations as needed by the department or senior management.
Continuously improves data collection processes, report formats, or analytical techniques to enhance the value of the information provided.
Oversees all aspects of the grants administration that include also SU2C grants program.
Develops and ensures implementation of best practices and initiatives.
Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Provide leadership for RGA’s grants program and supports various RGA initiatives.
Collaborate with internal groups to align departmental goals with broader organizational priorities.
Provides support to AACR projects when needed.
Supports the Vice President of Research and Grants Administrationwith additional tasks and responsibilities related to the RGA and AACR as needed.
Provides additional leadership support and oversight to the department, ensuring smooth operations and alignment with the strategic plan.
Other duties as assigned.