BC Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) / BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI))

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Vice President, Research, WHRI, the Research Projects Manager plans, coordinates and manages a research program within the Institute. In addition, this position acts to facilitate the management of individual studies from the planning and implementation to the evaluation stage. The Research Projects Manager coordinates and supervises grant application processes which may include multi-disciplinary, multi-site grant applications. The Research Projects Manager brings researchers, partners and external consultants together and facilitates the research process by assisting with the articulation of research plans, performing background research, structuring proposals and budgets and ensuring timelines are met. Major responsibilities include providing assistance in the recruitment process of research support personnel, the preparation of grant applications, facilitating collaborations between investigators, the preparation of ethical review applications, reviewing protocols and agreements for ethical integrity and accuracy and managing regulatory documentation around the study approval and renewal process as appropriate. The Research Projects Manager ensures accurate and timely data collection and handling of subject records which may involve an audit process, education and training of study personnel and trainees, assistance with study budget setup and the monitoring and management of research space, supplies and equipment.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Manages all aspects of study initiation, development and operational conduct including coordinating all study documentation from application to approval stages and ensuring that staff members are meeting requirements at all institutional levels. Collaborates and consults with Principal Investigators to project study needs and develops business plans to maximize research capabilities within available resources. Identifies human resource, research space and equipment needs for the study and resolves as appropriate.
• Develops research project budgets and assists with the negotiation of terms of agreement and budgets with PI’s and research collaborators. Monitors project budgets within the context of granting agency guidelines, operational demands and resource constraints and uses best practice methods to thoroughly monitor and adhere to allocated budgets. Collaborates with PI’s to source future funds and provides assistance in writing grant applications. Monitors expenditures and highlights reports for PI’s on fiscal performance as it relates to resource utilization and expenditure patterns. Identifies issues and problem solves to facilitate productive relationships with collaborators, funding agencies and external stakeholders.
• Assists with the training and management of all levels of personnel and trainees (fellows, residents, graduate and undergraduate students) within the parameters of the research program as necessary.
• Ensures all job descriptions within area of responsibility clarify and delineate position expectations. Completes performance reviews and facilitates individual goal setting and development sessions for staff.
• Liaises with BC Women’s and UBC Ethics Committees to determine status of the concurrent ethics approvals and assists investigators in resolving related issues as needed.
• Educates research staff and trainees on clinical study methodologies. Ensures accurate and timely data collection of required study information and maintains an audit program to achieve quality assurance. Provides work direction to research staff and resolves issues as required.
• Assists the Vice President in the recruitment of staff to the institute by performing duties such as writing summer student proposals, recruiting, participating in interviews, short listing candidates, performing reference checks and providing input into hiring decisions. The Manager also provides orientation and training to new hires.
• Presents at domestic and international conferences and events as appropriate and assists with the planning and implementation of locally organized conferences by preparing materials for presentation. Attends and participates in research meetings and maintains knowledge of all studies at the site level with collaborators within the research community.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with other research institutions and universities. Sources future research collaborations and funds with PI’s and researchers by networking, attending events and promoting services provided by the Women’s Health Research Institute.
• Ensures policies and procedures are adhered to by all members of the research team. Initiates processes related to staff administration and provides research program support with writing manuscripts, abstracts and technical reports.

Qualifications:

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Masters degree in a Health or related discipline and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in an academic health care organization or related industry including experience with research practices and clinical trials administration.
Knowledge of medical, clinical and research terminology. Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload and work under time pressures to meet deadlines. Ability to provide guidance and direction to others regarding the interpretation and application of organizational clinical trial agreement policies and procedures. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively to resolve issues and to be flexible to meet and adapt to changes in organizational priorities. Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to exercise judgment within a range of established alternatives. Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of efficiency and accuracy. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to provide leadership and training to promote an efficient and effective team based environment. Advanced computer literacy with word processing, spreadsheets and database software. Effective communication and writing skills.