Associate Director of Administrative and Scientific Affairs.
About the role
The Associate Director of Administrative and Scientific Affairs provides senior-level leadership at the intersection of research operations, scientific program management, and institutional administration for Dartmouth Cancer Center. The role ensures the highest standards of administrative excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and collaboration.
Responsibilities
Co-leads the development and execution of the Cancer Center’s multi-year CCSG plan, aligning administrative resources with scientific priorities and the Center’s mission.
Advises the Director on policy development, organizational structure, and resource allocation for research programs, clinical trials, and translational initiatives.
Chairs or serves on cross-functional committees (e.g., Cancer Research Committee, Executive Council) to ensure integrated decision-making and continual development of best practices; coordinates convening of annual External Advisory Board and ad hoc site visitors.
Represents the Cancer Center at national conferences, consortium meetings, and stakeholder gatherings to promote the Center’s capabilities and secure collaborative opportunities.
Oversees all phases of the National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center designation lifecycle (e.g. CCSG P30 award, RPPR, supplements).
Facilitates DCC engagement in multi-Cancer Center collaborations.
Oversees high-level, end-to-end management of federally-funded, state, private foundation, and industry grants.
Ensures accurate and timely submission of grant applications, progress reports, and financial reports; monitors award budgets against actuals and forecasts future funding needs.
Oversees Development fund planning and reporting; facilitates funding initiatives for continued growth.
Oversees the development and implements practices and policies for grant preparation, sub-award administration, metric collection and reporting, and data management.
Facilitate cross-cutting scientific collaborations among investigators, clinical departments, and external partners.
Supports investigators in portfolio development, career advancement (e.g., K-, R-series, career development awards), and translation of discoveries to clinical trials or commercial partnerships.
Oversees the tracking and reporting of key scientific metrics (e.g. publications, citations, patents, clinical trial accrual) for internal dashboards and NCI reporting.
Ensures regulatory compliance (e.g. NIH Open Access Reporting, compliance with internal training, etc.).
Oversees a multidisciplinary team of research administrators, grant managers, researchers, and administrative staff.
Conducts performance evaluations, mentoring, and professional development plans; promotes a culture of continuous improvement, and high ethical standards.
Serves as a senior point of contact for funding agencies, industry partners, and collaborative networks.
Oversees administration of research space, facilities policy development, and facilities management in Cancer Center-assigned space (e.g., Rubin Building) to ensure that research infrastructure meets the needs of faculty, research staff, students, and administrators, and to ensure research safety and security.
Works in collaboration with Geisel Medical School facilities management on matters related to laboratory and dry research space in research facilities elsewhere at Dartmouth Health and Geisel Medical School as they relate to the cancer research enterprise.
Partners with the Center’s Finance Team to develop annual research operating and capital budgets; monitor expenditures, identify variances, and initiate corrective actions.
Conducts periodic financial analyses (e.g. cost-benefit, ROI, programmatic efficiency) to inform strategic research investments and resource reallocation.
Partners with Financial Services Director to facilitate and track commitments, financial forecasting, and use of philanthropic funds.
Partners with Executive Director of Development to facilitate regular reporting of philanthropic goals and status related thereto.
Oversees the implementation and maintenance of research administration systems.
Ensures data integrity, security, and appropriate access for investigators and administrators.
Oversees process-improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burden.
Qualifications
Masters or equivalent combination of education and experience in a biomedical, life-science, or health administration-related field or MBA/MSHA with 10+ years of senior research-administration experience.
Minimum 10 years of supervisory/managerial experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated success managing large, multi-site, federally funded research portfolios.
Proven ability to partner with senior faculty, institutional leaders, and external partners.
Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience preparing high-stakes reports, presentations, and policy documents.
Proficiency in financial budgeting, forecasting, and reporting tools.
Deep knowledge of NIH/NCI grant mechanisms, the NCI CCSG, and other major cancer-research funding streams.
Strong collaborative mindset, cultural competence, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to travel as work requires.
Strong administrative and financial management and negotiation skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional oral and written communication and presentation abilities.
Flexible, diplomatic, inclusive leadership style and ability to work productively with contacts at all levels.
Knowledge of university-industry collaborations.
Broad understanding of the scientific process, especially as related to cancer.