Job Description

The Director, Research Administration at the Salk Cancer Center (SCC) serves as the senior administrative leader for the Salk NCI-Designated Basic Cancer Center at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. In close collaboration with the Cancer Center Director, this role functions as the lead administrative officer (AD Admin), overseeing and coordinating all Cancer Center-related operations, including the management of the NCI P30 Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG). Strong grant-writing and managerial abilities are essential for success in this position. Reporting directly to the Cancer Center Director, the role involves regular interactions with staff across the Cancer Center and the broader Salk Institute. Additionally, the Director of Research Administration plays a key role in executing strategic initiatives and advancing the objectives of the Salk Cancer Center, contributing as a core member of the executive leadership team. This position ensures operational alignment between the Salk Cancer Center and the Salk Institute and serves as the official representative of the SCC to the NCI.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values  all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From  visionary leaders to dedicated  administrators and brilliant  faculty members , the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• In alliance with the Salk CC Director, develop, promote, and execute an integrated strategic plan and scientific vision to enhance program productivity and scientific collaborations.
• Direct and manage all aspects of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG).
• Manage CC activities: oversee/manage monthly CC leadership and quarterly research program meetings (agendas and slides), weekly/monthly seminar series, special cancer-related symposia.
• Coordinate with institutional leaders and CC leadership to co-manage shared resources, education outreach, community efforts, and grant management.
• Responsible for the administrative infrastructure, preparation, submission, and management of the NCI CCSG and assist the Salk CC Director with scientific and technical writing for the CCSG Research Plan and related submissions, including non-competing continuation and renewal submissions. Lead and direct activities and team members to deliver on requirements and key deliverables of the CCSG submissions.
• Plan and direct the NCI CCSG site visit. As part of the CCSG evaluation, facilitates the preparation of the briefing material for the site visitors.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the NCI Office of Cancer Centers for all Salk CC CCSG functions.
• Coordinate CCSG Programs, aiding Program Leaders in program development, structure, and membership. Lead regular meetings among Salk CC leadership/members to communicate administrative and scientific developments. Partner with Institute leaders in support of cancer center goals and initiatives.
• Serve as the CCSG liaison with CC Program Leaders, faculty, institutional officials in Research Administration, Grants, Events, and Research Accounting to provide comprehensive management and budgetary monitoring for all aspects of the CCSG.
• Provide financial oversight, analysis, and planning for the CCSG-supported shared resources as a member of the Shared Resource Management team. Direct the preparation of the annual CCSG budgets in consultation with the CCSG PI and Shared Resource Management team.
• Initiate and nurture critical partnerships throughout the Salk CC research enterprise and with external stakeholders. Enhance inter-institutional interactions and corporate engagement.
• Collaborate with the Salk Institute Grants office to provide expertise and assistance in developing successful multi-investigator, large-scale grant submissions that are critical to the mission of the CC (e.g., P01s, T32s, P30 supplements, etc.). Coordinates additional cancer-related funding opportunities outside of the NCI to enable competitive research.
• Assist the Salk CC Director in activities related to the Executive Committee and External Advisory Board (EAB). Create and implement new programs, initiatives, and policies. Plan and direct annual CC EAB visits. Engage and report to the Executive Committee and EAB on progress and challenges.
• Manage and oversee the CCSG Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (and related community education outreach activities).
• Participate in the creation of a cancer trainees database and longitudinal tracking in collaboration with Salk Institute Postdoctoral Office.
• Attend AACI and ACCA/CCAF meetings as the institutional representative for the CCSG and provide feedback to the Executive Committee regarding new policies and/or procedures resulting from data collected at the meetings.
• Oversee communication strategies and marketing efforts in collaboration with Salk Communications aimed at increasing the visibility of Salk CC. Assist in the creation and management of an internal Salk CC website and cancer-related newsletter.
• Assist CC Director in writing/editing scientific data for other various submissions and presentations.
• Work with Salk Institute External Relations, CC faculty, and Salk Communications to support philanthropic efforts and develop program content for events and brochures (e.g., Conquering Cancer Initiative (CCI) Summit, CCI lunch series, specific CCI events).
• Provide updated strategic plan for presentation to CCI Advisory Committee; serve as lead with coordinating the Bench to Bedside to Bench Seminar series launched by the CCI.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Carries out supervisory and oversight responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Supervisory duties may include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance.

What we Require

• Bachelor’s degree in science or business administration, finance, public health administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience with academic research administration, including preparation of grant proposals, funding agency requirements, and budgets required.
• Two years’ supervisory/management experience or leading projects, teams, programs, or functions required.
• Experience in developing large programs/initiatives in a university and/or academic medical center required, preferably in an NCI-designated cancer center.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities with a strong sense of ownership, fostering trust and confidence among faculty, staff, leaders, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated innovation and proactive initiative in anticipating challenges, devising new procedures, refining processes, and implementing best practices.
• Strong analytical skills to assess complex situations, identify challenges, and develop well-structured solutions and recommendations.
• Proven ability to strategize, organize, and execute project objectives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Computer skills required: (Microsoft Office; Project Management Software).

Preferred Qualifications:

• MPH, MBA, MS (science) or PhD.
• Research administration leadership experience in an NCI-designated cancer center.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $150,000 to $180,000 annually. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. 

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits , including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

  Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE”provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1.  Any combination of characteristics.
2.  A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3.  A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

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