Vice President of Clinical Research – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Retained Search

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has retained Summit Talent Group to conduct a national search for the position of Vice President, Clinical Research for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (Hillman), a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – one of only 56 in the U.S.

UPMC Hillman is the preeminent institution in western Pennsylvania for providing cancer care; conducting basic, translational, clinical, and population science research; and educating the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians. At Hillman, they are quickly advancing the latest research discoveries into pioneering therapies that can benefit the more than 113,000 patients seen each year throughout the UPMC integrated cancer care delivery network.

The Vice President, Clinical Research will be responsible for all aspects of the clinical research function for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Reporting to the Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers, this individual will work in conjunction with physician leadership as the key operational stakeholder for all research studies, standard operating procedures, regulations and guidelines for clinical research studies and programs. The incumbent will be the face of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research to other institutions and will act as a proxy for the Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers, as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Set expectations and performance standards, develop and implement productivity measurements. Responsible for overall staff performance, evaluation, ensure corrective measures and/or training where needed. Oversight of training of new staff and assessment of continued training needs of existing staff.
• Travel to outlying locations.
• Work with UPCI Fiscal Office and UPMC to ensure clinical research study related financial issues including appropriate study budget, negotiations decisions, revenue collection, billing process, implementation of institutional a/c etc.
• Will drive a culture within the clinical research components of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to ensure that the community network and academic center work in concert as one cohesive and unified team.
• The incumbent will have frequent contact with sponsors, NCI and other funding agencies and regulatory offices at the executive management and administrative personnel levels. External interactions will also include CROs and site monitors.
• Will work in partnership with UPMC Enterprises and the UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center (ITTC) on discovery and clinical innovation, including the potential commercialization of such innovations.
• Will have responsibility for proactively pursuing a portfolio of investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored research development and grant opportunities.
• Will work to ensure the continual development and deployment of the data warehouse-based database to identify and recruit patients eligible for clinical trials throughout the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center system.
• The incumbent will work as part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center executive leadership team. This individual will partner with the Director, Hillman Cancer Center to establish the vision and strategic planning for all future oncology related clinical research at UPMC. This individual will work in concert with the Associate Director of Administration, preparing the relevant sections of the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (P30) Grant during renewal periods.
• Serves as a senior level liaison with sponsors, NCI and other funding agencies. Responsible for communication and working with other Cancer Center offices and institutional offices as the point person for clinical research operations.
• Will partner with the Director for the recruitment of experienced research faculty and staff.
• Will oversee clinical research conduct and administration at each of the Hillman Cancer Center academic and community sites to ensure seamless processes for patient accrual and research data management.
• The incumbent will have frequent and extensive contact with UPMC senior management, clinical research faculty, and all levels of staff at the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers.
• Will lead the operations of all research components at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers. This involves the review and/or development of all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for research studies. Will identify and analyze operational opportunities related to research and form action plans to create an environment of continual improvement.
• Responsible for overall distribution of workload and development of contingent plans for staff replacement and ensure seamless continuation of the working of the department. Effectively delegate tasks. Responsible for problem solving, staff conflict resolution and disciplinary actions. Interact with HR in recruitment and all staff related issues.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Nursing or health related field is required. Ph.D is desirable.
• Must have at least 10 years of experience with clinical research, including clinical and research experience within a NCI comprehensive cancer center.

Special Skills and Abilities Required:

• Understanding of financial implications of the department and ability to analyze financial data, reports, project budgets, staffing, and expenditures.
• Ability to travel to outlying locations as needed.
• Must possess excellent presentation skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess excellent leadership and role model abilities.
• Will have experience with the navigation of a matrixed reporting environment.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Certification in oncology or research preferred.

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

For additional information on this position please contact us.