Senior Manager, Center For Medical Cannabis Research

The University of Utah is seeking a Senior Manager (Research Development Associate III) to organize, implement, and oversee administrative aspects of a new Center for Medical Cannabis Research that was created by the Utah State Legislature in H.B.230 during the 2023 Legislative Session. The Senior Manager, in partnership with faculty directors and key collaborators, will play a central role in the strategic planning and execution of the Center for Medical Cannabis Research. The successful candidate will develop and implement a wide range of strategic, proactive, and capacity building activities that enable and enhance cannabis-related research, as well as coalesce researchers to inform health care providers, lawmakers, and the general public about evidence-based practices for medical cannabis.

The Senior Manager will be embedded with the Research Program Development Team in the Senior Vice President of Health Sciences (SVPHS) Research Unit which oversees the development and implementation of strategic research initiatives. To learn more about the other SVPHS Research Unit strategic research initiatives, please visit https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/research/areas-initiatives/. The Senior Manager will report to the Director of Research Program Development and will work alongside key collaborators and leadership teams to plan and executive initiative activities.

This position is eligible for telework in a hybrid telework & in-person environment.
About SVPHS Research Unit
The SVPHS Research Unit seeks to strengthen programs, departments and colleges within University of Utah Health by assisting in research strategic planning, decision support, goal setting, administrative and programmatic expertise, and program development. We are an inclusive and accessible workplace who believes that inclusivity is everyone’s responsibility. Our employees take informed actions to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Research Unit and the health sciences center we serve. We prioritize our team’s well-being and actively support each other. We strive to create a positive and supportive team atmosphere that fosters personal and professional growth.
About the University of Utah and Benefits

The University of Utah is located at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and offers a rich benefits package including affordable health insurance on the first day, generous retirement contributions of 14.2%, 13 paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month, tuition reduction for employees and families, paid parental leave and more. Please visit our Benefits website for more information: https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/

Responsibilities

1. Support the Medical Cannabis Research Center faculty directors and leadership teams in strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of the Center.

2. Develop and manage the Center Budget

3. Coalesce cannabis researchers across the state of Utah, including Utah State University.

4. Organize Cannabis literature reviews and communication of findings to providers, public, lawmakers

5. Organize connections with other states to share best practices on medical cannabis programs

6. Coordinate and liaise with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medical Cannabis

7. Coordinate resources and tools to promote collaboration and new cannabis research.

8. Serve as an institutional representative to the university, community, external visitors, and lawmakers and may provide information and analysis to support formal partnerships with external entities.

9. Guide and partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to ensure marketing approaches meet Center needs.

10. Identify federal, foundation and corporation cannabis research funding opportunities and communicate across the state of Utah. Identify complementary research/clinical/community interests among faculty and assemble and support competitive teams to respond to funding opportunities.

11. Participate in and manage the preparation of complex research proposals, including participation in proposal writing, alignment of PIs and key personnel, resource and budget recommendations, and timeline development. Serve as a liaison with sponsors, department offices and partnering institutions. With the assistance of support staff, ensure that applications comply with sponsor and University requirements. Provide strategic advice on making proposals competitive by editing and reviewing proposal drafts and writing non-technical proposal components. Provide proposal and award information-related metrics. Disseminate grant opportunities and proposal development tools.

12. Oversee the development and execution of a seed grant program to catalyze new cannabis research.

13. Organize community building events (e.g., symposia) and provide major oversight of Center communications and marketing platforms in partnership with SVPHS Research Unit Staff.

14. Identify opportunities for collaboration with other academic centers, health systems, and industry. Provide project management support for building formal partnerships.

15. Support the University’s government relations and communications teams in conveying the vision, accomplishments and needs of the Center.

16. Oversee Center evaluation and collection and reporting of metrics of success.

17. Oversee Center Board structures and strategic planning process.

18. Hire, train, and mentor staff as needed.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree + four years of related experience or 12 years of related experience.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

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