American Association for Cancer Research · 3 months ago
Senior Director, Research and Grants Administration
The American Association for Cancer Research is seeking a Senior Director of Research and Grants Administration to provide executive-level leadership and strategic direction for their grants portfolio. This role involves overseeing the department's growth, managing a team of PhD scientists, and ensuring effective partnerships to support cancer research initiatives.
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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 Administration with 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
Qualification
Required
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
Preferred
Experience in drug discovery and development within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company is highly desirable
Company
American Association for Cancer Research
AACR is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration.
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$0.15MKey Investors
Amazon Web Services
2025-12-02Grant· $0.15M
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