Research Business Program Director

The Research Business Program Director will strengthen the Department’s sponsored research portfolio by building operational capacity, driving industry and investigator collaborations, and expanding the visibility and impact of the research portfolio. This role supports faculty in developing, managing, and expanding sponsored research, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, and securing new funding aligned with the department’s strategic priorities. Serving as a key liaison, the RBDM connects faculty, sponsors, and institutional partners to advance clinical research—including trials, informatics, real world evidence, and quality improvement initiatives—through robust industry engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 5+ years of experience in business development, partnership management, or organizational development within clinical research or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Deep understanding of patient-focused research and clinical trials; familiarity with academic research environments and an established network in the life sciences sector.
• Strong networking, presentation and communication skills; ability to manage multiple relationships and projects across academic and healthcare settings.
• Proven ability to build collaborations, structure agreements, manage alliances, and negotiate budgets.

Oversees planning and execution of one or more programs and defines program scope, goals, and strategic objectives. Designs programs that satisfy the University's mission. Performs budgetary functions and approves program budgets, maintains accurate records of program progress, and conducts administrative tasks. Represents the organization and ensures all activities comply with university policies and legal guidelines.

• Develop long-term strategies and oversee daily operations for industry partnerships, including policy and program implementation to support clinical research and ensure project performance and financial compliance.
• Identify and pursue new research collaborations, represent University and Department research capabilities to industry, and match investigators to partnership opportunities.
• Track funding trends and communicate new opportunities to faculty and leadership.
• Ensure faculty have resources to participate in industry-funded studies, such as conflict-of-interest management and intellectual property support.
• Guide faculty through proposal and research agreement processes (budgeting, contracting, compliance) in coordination with research administration teams. Provide logistical support including protocol language and milestone-based budget creation.
• Identify innovation trends and work with faculty to identify ideas with commercial potential, connecting the Department with the broader life sciences ecosystem. Collaborate with the University Innovation Institute to protect intellectual property and facilitate commercialization of research.
• Manage multiple grants simultaneously: track deadlines and deliverables from concept to award.
• Maintain content libraries for investigator biosketches and institutional resources/templates.
• Offer training and guidance to investigators and junior staff on best practices in grant writing and submission.

This is a fairly sedentary position but may require walking to other locations on campus. Ability to sit at a desk for periods of time and to handle such things as telephone and computer. Ability to communicate via phone, email and virtual platforms. Ability to attend meetings in person or virtually.