Director, Scientific Programs

MRA seeks a Director of Scientific Programs who can bring
strategy, innovation, and a detail oriented approach to lead our
global grants program. The Director of Scientific Programs oversees
all aspects of MRA’s research grants programs including development
of request for proposals (RFP), overseeing the peer-review process,
award contracting, milestone management and close- out. This role
keeps abreast of scientific advances, gaps, and opportunities, and
works with science staff and advisors to guide funding to areas of
unmet scientific and patient needs. This role provides scientific
support to the internal teams and external advisors including MRA’s
Board Science Committee, Scientific Advisory Panel, Medical
Advisory Panel, Dermatology Council, and Grant Review
Committee.

Partnering closely with MRA’s Chief Science Officer, the
Director of Scientific Programs serves as the lead scientist in the
planning, development, and curation of MRA’s Annual Scientific
Retreat as well as MRA-convened workshops and forums. The Director
of Scientific Programs also represents MRA in a leadership position
at scientific conferences and symposia.

The Director of Scientific Programs is committed to staying
updated on scientific advances and challenges along with building
positive relationships with the research community. This role will
be responsible for internal and external communication of
scientific progress, as well as supporting donor stewardship across
major individual donors, foundations, pharmaceutical and
biotechnology industry partners as well as collaborations with
government entities.

The Director of Scientific Programs provides leadership,
mentoring and oversight to two (2) direct reports (Senior
Associate, Registry & Grants programs; and Senior Associate,
Grants & Operations).

What you’ll do:

MRA Grants Program:

• Oversee the grant-making process including development and
  release of Request(s) for Proposals, working with the co-chairs and
  members of the Grant Review Committee (GRC) to implement the peer
  review process, and presenting grant funding recommendations to the
  MRA Board and Board Science Committee.
• Conduct oversight of funded grants, including soliciting and
  reviewing annual progress reports, financial reports (first
  reviewed by Senior Associate), and leading in-person and virtual
  site visits to funded institutions.
• Support MRA Leadership with operational and budgetary planning
  around the grants program and annual audit of the grants processes
  and procedures.
• Annually update the MRA Research Portfolio and every 2-3 years
  conduct an evaluation of the impact of MRA funding.
• Supervise the Senior Associate, Registry & Grants Program
  in fielding inquiries from applicants, preparation for grant review
  meetings, oversight of online peer review and grants management
  system (ProposalCENTRAL), and issuance of new grant contracts with
  research institutions.
• Supervise the Senior Associate, Grants & Operations in
  issuance of payments to awardees through Bill.com; trouble shooting
  and problem-solving as needed.

Annual Scientific Retreat:

• In close collaboration with the Chief Science Officer, lead
  MRA’s Annual Scientific Retreat programming content, speaker and
  panelist selection and preparation, special workshops.
• Secure pharmaceutical industry sponsorship underwriting for the
  Scientific Retreat, in partnership with MRA Leadership and
  Development team.
• Lead the development of Scientific Retreat Report in
  partnership with freelance science writers and external
  vendors.
• Manage event logistics required for a successful event in
  partnership with the MRA staff, vendors, and
  consultants. 

Communications: 

• In partnership with MRA’s Communications & Engagement team,
  along with retained consultants and vendors, assist in the
  development of science content for MRA audiences including monthly
  blogs, eNewsletters, Scientific Retreat Report, MRA’s Annual
  Report, and other reports on MRA funded research to external
  partners, including co-funding foundations, industry, institutions,
  and donors.
• Drive internal and external communications about melanoma
  research, including MRA’s research portfolio and other
  melanoma-related information requests from the MRA team.
• Contribute to public policy activities, including maintaining
  relationships with coalitions and coordinating participation in
  advocacy activities.

Internal and external representation:

• Represent MRA to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
  partners at key scientific conferences (e.g., ASCO, AACR, Society
  for Melanoma Research, etc.).
• Serve as liaison with foundations to identify, develop, secure,
  and manage research cofunding partnerships.
• Represent MRA at external meetings and relevant professional
  activities at nonprofit associations including the Health Research
  Alliance (HRA) and International Cancer Research Partnership
  (ICRP).
• Maintain relationships with key constituents including MRA
  Board of Directors and experts involved in the Grant Review
  Committee, Scientific Advisory Panel, Medical Advisory Panel, and
  Dermatology Council.

Staff management and cross-team collaboration within
MRA:

• Mentor, inspire, and supervise direct reports including the
  Senior Associate, Registry & Grants Program and the Senior
  Associate, Grants & Operations.
• Supervise consultants, interns, and vendors as needed.
• Work with the MRA Development team and Communications team to
  maximize awareness of MRA’s scientific programs and provide
  scientific insight to support their activities.

What you bring:

• Graduate degree required (MS, MPH, PhD) – PhD preferred;
  experience related to cancer biology, immunology, or related field
  is ideal.
• Minimum five to ten years of experience in scientific program
  management; demonstrated ability to produce high-quality scientific
  work products. Ideally, scientific administration experience with a
  nonprofit organization, public charity, government organization,
  academic institution, or corporation is preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and independence to identify
  short and long-term portfolio needs with input from leadership,
  peers, and external advisors.
• Ability to synthesize large amount of information related to
  projects and portfolios managed and provide a scientific point of
  view to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated self-starter with excellent project management
  skills, including project design, timely execution, and effective
  budget management.
• Experience functioning as a strategist and partnering with
  senior leadership, board members and others.
• Ability to create and drive strategy while being a hands-on
  implementor. 
• Accustomed to working, problem solving and collaborating
  thoughtfully in a dynamic environment. 
• Experience in external relationship management including donor
  stewardship and partner management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with grant
  administration, CRM, and payment systems (ProposalCentral,
  Salesforce, Bill.com).
• Experience managing and proven success in leading, mentoring
  and motivating a high performing team.
• Ability to travel, including ~20% overnight travel.
• Successfully complete a security background check

What we offer:

• MRA is committed to practicing salary transparency. The salary
  range for this role is $120,000 to $140,000. We construct our
  salaries in such a way that staff can move through the range within
  their position level. As such, most candidates will start at
  $120,000 to $130,000, with flexibility for a possible few
  outstanding candidates based on the above required specific skill
  sets and experiences. This position is also eligible for
  performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits including
  an employee assistance program to help with mental health,
  financial and legal matters for all employees and their eligible
  dependents.
• A 403b retirement investment plan with a 5% match.
• Life & Disability insurance (Basic, voluntary and AD&D,
  short-term and long-term). 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health, dependent coverage,
  transit/commuters FSAs). 
• Generous and flexible schedule of paid time off in addition to
  the paid holidays we observe.
• Paid parental/family leave.
• An investment in everyone’s professional development including
  learning cloud programs, scientific retreats and forums, networking
  opportunities, lunch and learns, conferences, leadership mentoring
  with access to top minds in science, research, medicine, and
  business.

The fine print:

• This position is based in Washington, DC (preferred, or
  possibly New York City). While performing the duties of this role,
  you would work in a hybrid, in-office (at least two days a week)
  and remote arrangement.
• Some travel is required for this role including MRA events,
  site visits, and conferences.
• Successful candidates will be subject to an authorized
  background check.
• We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to
  work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas
  at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a
  precondition of employment.

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall
nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not
to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties,
and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they
do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to
change at the discretion of the employer.

How to apply: Please send a cover letter and
resume to [email protected] with the following subject
line: Director, Scientific Program Only
short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.
All inquiries will be held in confidence.

What you can expect if you move forward in the
recruitment process:

1. Initial interview with MRA’s Chief Science Officer (45
   minutes).
2. If you are selected for the next round, an interview with MRA’s
   Chief Executive Officer; President & Chief Operating Officer;
   Senior Associate, Registry & Grants Program; and Senior
   Associate, Grants & Operations.
3. Reference check and background check.
4. Offer.

Our culture and commitments:

Every person at MRA is treated with respect, supported with
resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of
experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to
share knowledge and passion with colleagues and the scientific and
patient communities we serve. We are committed to building a
diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where
everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our
commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that
creates opportunities for everyone.

MRA upholds an equal opportunity employment policy and employs
personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national
origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, marital status, age, physical or mental
ability, veteran status, military obligations, genetic information,
or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy applies
to all applicants, employees, consultants, and third-party
workers.

To request a disability accommodation to participate in the job
application or interview process, please contact us at
[email protected].