Program Manager, Community Research Strategy, Comp Cancer Center

Overview

Office of Cancer Health Equity, Comprehensive Cancer Center

JOB SUMMARY: 

As a team member in the Office of Cancer Health Equity, under administrative review, performs management level work directed toward the facilitation and support of research-focused projects and programs to improve cancer health equity. The position will implement best practices for effective and sustainable engagement and program development to 1) support Cancer Center’s research efforts to increase community engaged and cancer disparities research, and 2) successfully work with community members to improve their understanding of factors that impact cancer health equity and involvement in research. The Program Manager I will serve as an expert in increasing diversity in research and be responsible for working closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), faculty, patient advocates and other staff members as well as identifying and establishing relationships with diverse, underserved populations and communities in the catchment area (examples include American Indian, LGBTQ+, African American, Latinx, rural) to ensure programmatic success.

• Leads the operations of the research and engagement strategy for Community Outreach and Engagement (COE)  and the Cancer Center Support Grant.

• Manages and oversees the planning, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of COE research projects. 

• Builds and sustains the research patient advocate program called Advocates for Research in Medicine (ARM), the first and only formal research advocate program in the institution to train and deploy advocates. 

• Facilitates bidirectional communication with the community to identify and align community, research priorities, and increase awareness and access to research as partners advisors and participants. 

• Manages the preparation of reports and participates in the analysis of study data and the writing of academic publications.

• Works closely with the leadership team to provide operations support for the cancer community health assessment and ensuring catchment level data informs our cancer research enterprise. 

• Represents the program(s) and research projects; serves as the project/program liaison, spokesperson and representative. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:  

Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, or related field. Three years' experience in project management, program development, or administration and research experience. Familiarity with cultural issues in diverse, underserved populations. Master's degree with experience beyond three years preferred. Ability to read, write, and communicate in Spanish preferred. 

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION: N/A

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Manages and oversees the planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of research related projects.  Assumes major responsibility for coordinating the successful and timely completion of the tasks within projects.
2. Manage the research process for the Office of Cancer Health Equity including support for regulatory requirements, recruitment strategies, and internal and external stakeholder input. 
3. Utilizes qualitative research methods by regularly facilitating focus groups, interviews, and group discussions with research participants and community members.
4. Source, identify, initiate and maintain contacts with community partners and organizations to introduce institutional projects, clinical trials, resources, and services to sustain academic-community partnerships and research education.
5. Coordinate, train and deploy patient and caregiver research advocates to help ensure research is patient centered.
6. Implements all operational policies and procedures related to the functioning of the project/program.
7. Prepares periodic analyses and reports reflecting progress and trends of on-going projects/programs; identifies and anticipates potential issues and risks; makes suggestions for improvement and implements as appropriate.
8. Assumes responsibility for the outcome of the projects and program(s) including qualitative and quantitative assessments of their success; assists and supervises support personnel, including students. 
9. Manages the preparation of reports and participates in the analysis of study data and the writing of academic publications. 
10. Represents the program(s) and research projects; serves as the project/program liaison, spokesperson and representative.
11. Promotes a cooperative work environment by utilizing communication skills, interpersonal relationships and team building. Provides leadership and guidance to others, including students and other team members. 
12. Arranges, implements, and facilitates team meetings to achieve results. Attends meetings with appropriate staff and faculty as necessary to provide and gather information. 
13. Ensures that all aspects of the projects are conducted in accordance with institutional and sponsor regulations and guidelines pertaining to research.
14. Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
     

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Solid communication skills to effectively build relationships across departments and in the community and to facilitate work among teams 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Skilled problem solver who can work independently
• Organizational and time management skills 
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize competing tasks, manage special projects, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• Ability to implement community based education programs
• Strong presentation skills to effectively persuade and influence in order to achieve desired outcomes with diverse clientele
• Expertise in MS Office and ability to efficiently and frequently prepare program reports required
  Ability/temperament to adapt to changing conditions and diverse job tasks 
• Demonstrate team work and professionalism
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to influence through working relationships at all levels of management, both internal and external
• Experience facilitating and working collaboratively with all levels of staff and faculty and underrepresented and diverse groups and organizations
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead and handle multiple time-sensitive, cross-functional initiatives
• Knowledge of electronic medical record, WISER, eIRB, REDCap, and other research related systems
• Data driven and able to collect, analyze, and present data to support proposed plans and to share with internal and external leadership, stakeholders, and partners