Sr. Research Strategy & Program Specialist **Remote Available**

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of diverse individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your diversity of culture, thinking, learning, and leading is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

VICTR

Job Summary:

Job Summary

In your pivotal role of Sr Research Strategy & Program Specialist you will independently serves as the primary resource on a very diverse portfolio of research projects. Provides bespoke consultations on available research services to internal VUMC faculty and staff members, as well as to external research colleagues. Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with key central research contacts within various VUMC offices to facilitate the proper operation of research projects.

About the Department:

The Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical & Translational Research (VICTR) is Vanderbilt’s virtual home for clinical and translational research. Supported by Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Office of Research and the NIH-sponsored Clinical and Translational Service Award (CTSA), the mission of the institute is to transform the way ideas and research discoveries make their way from origin to patient care. VICTR functions to help researchers and clinicians do their jobs better by providing tools and support to improve the quality of research, publications, grant writing, and training for future doctors and researchers. For more information, please visit https://victr.vumc.org/.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop social media campaigns as well as graphic design and communications roles
• Act as a "go-to" resource for internal and external colleagues with less experience.
• Effectively lead/manage low- to mid-level institutional or national projects that have tight timelines and limited visibility.
• Educate the research community regarding resources available to clinicians and researchers to improve aspects of the research enterprise.
• Collaborate independently with internal and external customers to evaluate current services for continual improvement and develop new research tools.
• Provide independent, intermediate research support consultation and services, including regulatory, quality assurance and operational support, to all levels of research colleagues.
• Leads website development and support.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.
• Lead programmatic efforts to locally produce videos, animated info graphics, and other educational materials.
• Play a lead role in the conduct of all tasks and activities required to complete projects and may oversee project activities of team members.
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills in collaborating with internal and external customers.

Technical Capabilities

RESEARCH SERVICES (ADVANCED)

• Collaborates with leaders on project planning and sets own objectives to deliver against responsibilities that have a direct impact on the near-term results of a low- to mid-level research project or program. Is familiar with key literature relevant to projects. Able to articulate how detailed tasks and assignments contribute to the broad goals of the organization.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge in advising and assisting researchers and clinicians on improving the quality of research and grants by identifying collaborators, connecting investigators with resources/funding opportunities, and developing tools to further the research enterprise. Has played a lead role in identifying barriers to optimal study execution and formulate, implement, and assess solutions to those barriers. Independently identifies resources needed for the timely & successful completion of research projects. Provides available resources for preparing grant proposals, identifying study funding, ongoing financial management safety committees, IRB submissions, scientific review submission, study feasibility, recruitment methods, data management, and study implementation. May assist in the development of study budgets and billing grids to facilitate capture of all study costs and compliance with regulations. May assist in the development of reports, manuscripts, and other strategies for dissemination of research findings.

REGULATORY SERVICES (INTERMEDIATE)

• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the optimal application of federal, state, and local laws, guidance documents, GCP/ICH guidelines, VUMC Institutional policies, and HRPP/IRB policies and procedures to meet the objectives of the VUMC and national research community. Has independently consulted on research and regulatory issues to identify solutions and develop improvement processes. Comprehends, manages, and facilitates IRB regulatory assurance(s), contracts, agreements, and IRB policies and procedures when appropriate. Tracks the progress of clinical research protocols through each step of the regulatory/administrative process and follows up as necessary to ensure efficient service when needed. Oversees coordination of ongoing analysis and modification of protocols and recommends amendments to study protocols, as appropriate. Assures adherence to FDA and other regulatory guidelines.

QUALITY ASSURANCE (INTERMEDIATE)

• Demonstrates proficiency in critically analyzing current research practices and policies through observation, data collection, peer reviews, literature reviews, interviews, and industry analysis to assess quality of existing workflow processes and identify improvements needed to maximize quality and efficiency. Able to independently develop and implement training programs on the strategic application of IRB policies and procedures, federal mandates and guidelines, GCP/ICH guidance, and other applicable topics (e.g., budget development, research billing, grants, contracts, COI). Independently provides ongoing consultation and education to research personnel regarding quality assurance.

OPERATIONAL SERVICES (INTERMEDIATE)

• Demonstrates proficiency in providing guidance on operational goals, business strategies, ethical considerations, regulatory mandates, and institutional practices, policies and workflow. Has assisted investigators, key study personnel, and other team members in the development of data tools, record keeping, study budgets, process improvement plans, and efficient timelines for research studies. Advises on the development, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive electronic systems including reporting to sustain efficient operations.

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (ADVANCED)

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge in broadening the institutional and national research community’s exposure to available digital tools and products. Has provided consultation, training, education, and assistance on use of digital services. Collaborates with technical professionals to inform the build, maintenance, and enhancement of electronic platforms and systems to support the needs of clinical researchers and projects, as well as objectives of the research enterprise. Serves a key role in developing content and designing usability and accessibility to determine user experience.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (required)
• 3 years relevant experience (required)

Required Skills

• *Excellent organizational skills
• *Proven expertise in website development
• *Excellent oral communication skills
• *Excellent interpersonal skills
• *Excellent critical thinking skills
• *Proven expertise in writing and social media campaign development

Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more.

At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution. Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas. Team Interaction: Acts as a "go-to" resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships. - Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them. - Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches. - Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges. - Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level:

4 years

Education:

Bachelor's

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled