Grants & Research Director

Job Description Summary

MUSC Health and Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) is seeking a Grants & Research Director to spearhead the establishment and management of MUSC Health’s Grants & Research division within the health system.

The Director will play a pivotal role in creating and implementing a robust infrastructure for sponsored awards within the health system, with a specific focus on the MUSC Health Regional Health Network (RHN).

Foster collaborations with the academic research infrastructure within the university and drive innovation within the health system that helps advance grant and research activity. 

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC001937 UMA OTHR PAY MUHA Funded Leadership CC

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-35

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Spearhead the establishment and management of MUSC Health’s Grants & Research division within the health system. The Director will play a pivotal role in creating and implementing a robust infrastructure for sponsored awards within the health system, with a specific focus on the MUSC Health Regional Health Network (RHN). The director will foster collaborations with the academic research infrastructure within the university and drive innovation within the health system that helps advance grant and research activity. 

The Research Director will have the autonomy and support to build infrastructure within the MUSC Health system that contributes significantly to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. MUSC Health seeks an innovative and strategic leader who can effectively engage at all levels of the organization including senior leadership, RHN leadership and research staff, and the university research administration and research support services (Office of Clinical Research (OCR), Office or Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute (SCTR)) to steer the organization toward excellence in research.

The Research Director will report directly to the Chief Academic Integrations Officer.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

1.    Develop and implement a comprehensive grant and research infrastructure for the MUSC Health System (MUHA & RHN).
•    Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the research division aligned with the health system's and University goals and objectives.
•    Provide visionary leadership to establish the research infrastructure, guiding its growth and development.
•    Collaborate with MUHA Accounting to organize OurDay MUHA accounting structure to support tracking of research revenue and expenditures.
•    Collaborate with MUHA Accounting and ORSP to ensure compliance with audit requirements.
•    Develop a process to collaborate with stakeholders to amend RHN provider contracts for those who are collaborating or engaged in research to ensure compliance with Stark Laws.
•    Collaborate with key stakeholders across the enterprise to identify compliant mechanisms for MUHA/RHN providers to track effort for federal and other grants as relevant.
•    Develop a process for tracking equipment and furniture loaned by the University to MUHA/RHNs for research activities.
•    Define MUHA research services and establish fair market value rates.
•    Support the hiring and mentoring of RHN research staff.
•    Provide strategic leadership in the development and execution of pre-award and post-award processes in collaboration with ORSP.
•    Collaborate with MUHA Human Resources (HR) and consult with university HR to develop a streamlined process for hiring temporary grant-funded positions.

2.    Manage and coordinate research opportunities and requests to conduct research in MUHA/RHN entities in collaboration with OCR, ORSP, SCTR, and IRB.
•    Serve as the key point of contact for all MUHA/RHN involved sponsored awards and the single point of contact for all MUHA/RHN research related inquiries.  
•    Review requests for conducting research in MUHA/RHNs and perform an interest and feasibility assessment with the involved MUHA/RHN.
•    Collaborate with ROC and OCR, ORSP, SCTR, and IRB to support the institution’s process for vetting identified opportunities.
•    Once a study is approved by the RHN Research Governance committee, to coordinate with University Research for all necessary steps to be included in the approval letter and maintain a database accessible to all stakeholders.
•    Identify provider collaborations, services, space, and resources that are needed to support the MUHA/RHN involved research to ensure the study can be supported at the MUHA location.
•    Ensure that all study teams and MUHA/RHN providers and research staff are aware of the requirements for submissions, approvals, training, and tracking of study activities and research center service tracking in appropriate systems for study activity and metric tracking, study team and sponsor invoicing, and reporting requirements.
•    If there are barriers to study implementation, identify the barriers and work with relevant stakeholders to seek solutions to remove barriers.
•    Support and educate the PIs and study teams on the newly established MUHA research and grant infrastructure.

3.    Support the ongoing development of the MUHA/RHN research centers. 
•    Identify and apply for other funding opportunities to support the research expansion activities of MUSC and MUHA in collaboration with SCTR.
•    Participate in all relevant research meetings hosted by OCR, ORSP, IRB, and SCTR, such as 

4.    Once grants are awarded, collaborate with OCR, ORSP, IRB, and SCTR to navigate sponsored awards and contracts through the newly developed MUHA review and approval process.                                                         
•    Responsible for managing the initial set up of grants/contracts to include basic award information and budget set up in order that spending can begin, assisting with training and providing support for external audit activities.
•    Execute and manage all aspects of the grant’s set up process in a timely manner and with a high degree of accuracy in OurDay. 
•    Independently manages and conduct complex data input into the Award, Grant, Budget, and Task components of OurDay. 
•    Adhere and ensure compliance with the Federal Uniform Guidance and MUSC/MUHA policies and procedures governing sponsored awards.  
•    Facilitates and maintains communications with the MUHA Accounting, ORSP, Office of Clinical Research (OCR), cost center managers, Award Contract Specialist, Principal Investigators (PIs), and study team members throughout the grant set up progress and completion in OurDay. 
•    Responds to internal request for information related to the award set up data, relevant regulations and timelines. 
•    Facilitates the processing of notification to departments and PIs upon completion of set-up, revisions, added funds that the award is ready to accept expenditures.      

                                                                                            

5.    Oversee the pre-award process, review grant and contract proposal submissions, review and accept agreements/awards, and provide post-award support and guidance for MUHA research and grants in collaboration with OCR, ORSP, IRB, and SCTR.
•    Support the study selection and activation, study conduct, and closeout processes in collaboration with OCR, ORSP, IRB, and SCTR and/or the study team as relevant.
•    Facilitate communication and coordination among various departments and stakeholders involved in the grant setup process.
•    Foster collaborations, ensure compliance and provide strategic direction towards cutting-edge research excellence.

Additional Job Description

Master’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, clinical research, or other related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree candidates will be considered with significant research and grants leadership experience.

At least 8 years of progressive work experience managing complex programs and/or research initiatives.

Proven track record of leadership in research administration or management within a healthcare or academic setting.

Sponsored award and clinical research experience preferred.

Experience in establishing and managing research infrastructure and programs preferred.

Strong understanding of regulatory compliance and ethical considerations in research.

Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and foster a culture of teamwork.

Strong organizational, project management, and quality improvement skills required.

Employee is expected to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, especially salaries of personnel. 

Requires good eye/hand coordination, ability to hear & speak clearly, express information concisely, analyze data and formulate ideas logically orally and in writing.

Able to travel to various divisions throughout MUSC Health.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees