The Moores Cancer Center (MCC) is one of just 55 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States and the only one in San Diego County. As a consortium cancer center, it is a collaborative partnership between the UCSD: encompassing 28 departments, 6 schools (School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Engineering, School of Biological Sciences & the School of Physical Sciences), UCSD Health oncology hospitals and clinics; the basic and public health research and outreach of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the basic and translational research of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology (LJI). These various programs and units are all dedicated to fulfilling the Moores Cancer Center's mission of reducing cancer's burden. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting the continuum of cancer research, providing advanced patient care, and serving the community through outreach and education programs. As a top-ranking, future-oriented organization, we offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment. Moores Cancer Center follows a progressive philosophy of career-path development for its employees includingopportunities for cross-training, professional development, and progressive responsibility.

MCC's mission is to transform cancer care in our catchment area and beyond by driving exceptional scientific discoveries and innovations in prevention, detection, care, and training. MCC will make a global impact on improving health by reducing cancer burden through accelerated discovery and translation, compassionate and interdisciplinary care, education and community engagement, with the foundation of our core values - Excellence, Innovation and Risk-Taking, Collaboration, Diversity and Service.

The Senior Director of Research Strategy is a key member of the leadership team of the Center for the Early Detection of Cancer, one of the four new pillar projects planned for the Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center. The incumbent's role is crucial in developing and overseeing the Center's research portfolio and translational research initiatives and requires constant originality in problem resolution, strategic thinking, and analysis. The incumbent will establish operational objectives and work plans and delegate assignments to subordinates. Responsible for managing, preparing, administering, and directing Center resources. Responsible for directing managing relationships between the Center and centralized resources across UCSD (HR, RSC, VCHS, etc). Incumbent will oversee and will be responsible for ensuring there is sufficient administrative coordination and planning that defines Center, School, and Health System boundaries to maximize the resources that are directed toward meeting the operational needs of the Center. Accountability for errors and problem resolution is inherent in this position. Incumbent plays a critical role in monitoring the Center's adherence to approved budget, as well as compliance with all applicable University policies including but not limited to COI/COC annual reporting. Incumbent is involved in developing, modifying and executing Center policies that impact immediate operation(s) and may also have organization-wide effects by representing the Center in campus wide leadership meetings and Health System councils. The Director of Research Strategy has the authority to make recommendations on behalf of the Center and will influence the mission and strategic planning of the Center, leads efforts to develop policies and procedures to enhance the infrastructure of the Center, and provides creative problem solving and process improvement strategies.

The Director of Research Strategy is responsible for establishing and maintaining all internal (UCSD enterprise) and external relationships required to execute the strategic goals of the Center and works independently and with limited oversight from the Center Director. Balances and synthesize priorities to provide business guidance and manage the execution of all necessary agreements, in a challenging environment with changing priorities.

Takes leadership role in independently managing and developing a large, complex academic or research program of high visibility in the Early Detection of Cancer. Develops vision and establishes agenda to achieve research objectives. Oversees all elements of program administration. Collaborates across multiple research groups. Experience in overseeing large collaborative research initiatives (national, international). Provides leadership in identifying outreach services. With faculty formulates program strategies and goals, directs long-term planning, and develops policies and procedures. Defines and implements publications program in support of the overall program. Is considered a subject matter expert of the organization and is recognized as an expert externally in the field.

• Fifteen years of related experience, education/training, OR an advanced degree in related area plus seven years of related experience/training.

• Academic background and recognized expertise in selected area of research. Advanced degree in genetics and/or methods of cancer detection. Track record of academic productivity in the field of genetics/early cancer detection.

• Demonstrated expertise with program building within a leading academic institution for handling administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices. Experience with strategic planning as it relates to research and academic programs.

• Expert oral and written communication skills. Experience developing rapport and effective working relations with senior faculty and mid-career faculty, administrators, senior managers, staff, alumni, corporate partners, graduate students, donors, and VIP community members.

• Demonstrated expertise building collaborations between academia, industrial and / or governmental agencies.

• Leadership experience in academic and / or government agencies. Fifteen (15) years or more operational experience in research and academic programs preferred. Demonstrated leadership skills in a university setting.

• Expert ability to work with dynamic and diverse group of faculty, staff and students.

• Expert fundraising experience.

• Expert negotiation skills. Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Demonstrated skills in project management and metrics tracking. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement short and long range divisional plans and strategies by applying trends, projections, growth and anticipated goals of the division.

• Proven ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and delegate work functions efficiently.

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and related legislative, accreditation, licensing, and compliance environments.

• Knowledge of implementation and management of research agreements, data use agreements, and implementation and management of confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements, and material transfer agreements to support internal research programs.

• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable policies and procedures governing academic and staff personnel, accounting, contracts and grants, purchasing, equipment and space inventory, and other areas related to the responsibilities of the position.

• Advanced knowledge of Contracts and Grants. Demonstrated experience in contract and grant development and reporting, including federal grants. Experience with NIH and other grant organizations, procedures, guidelines and regulations, including researching potential funding sources.

• Demonstrated working experience in editing scientific manuscripts and articles for stylistic consistency while determining the scientific robustness, value and logic of the content. Profound understanding of scientific methodology and medical concepts in order to effectively edit documents for thoroughness and consistency. Knowledge of or experience in the conduct, regulations, and general guidelines of research studies is required.

• Experience working closely with leadership of national professional academic/research societies and an understanding of their policies and organization.

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise with working in a clinical, healthcare, and research environment in a University setting, and following University policies and procedures.

• Must be willing and able to frequently work outside of normal business hours as necessary to meet deadlines and deliverables. Must be able to travel on occasion if business needs require.