Tufts Medical Center is a world-renowned academic medical center that has been providing exceptional care across New England for over two centuries. Our clinicians are dedicated to delivering innovative, patient-centered care every day, from our primary care to our Level I Trauma Center to our leading heart transplant program and over 100 specialties and services. We are also the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine and a leading research institution that conducts game-changing medical and health policy research. 

Job Overview

As the Director, Sponsored Programs Research Administration you will report to the VP Research Administration.  You will be responsible for the centralized pre-award functions within Research Administration at Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC).   Assisting faculty and administrators in the locations of funding sources, proposal preparation and submission, and in the negotiations of sponsored research grants and contracts. You will represent the hospital as the Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts with federal, state, non-profit, academic and industry partners.

Our success has been driven by a team of faculty and staff dedicated to understanding how industry-funded research helps to sustain and compliments a robust federally- and foundation-funded research portfolio. 

Research at Tufts Medicine

Medicine is always evolving, and so are we. What we learn through research initiatives today can uncover life-saving treatments for you and your loved ones in the future. Your health is always at the top of our minds, so we've gathered our brightest minds in medicine to change care, for good. 

At Tufts Medicine, we're motivated by the "what's next." Because when it comes to your health, we work hard to bring the latest breakthroughs in medicine to your care plan. Research and clinical trials expand our understanding of conditions, treatments and medical technologies so we can evolve with our community's changing needs. 

Tufts Medicine researchers relentlessly pursue healthcare's biggest questions: What's next for cancer care? What new drug will treat a medical condition? We've been at the forefront of medical research for more than 200 years to create healthier lives for all. Together, we're driving the next era of healthcare.

What you need

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master's or Doctoral Degree in Business, Law, or Health Administration.

2. Seven (7) years of experience in the administration of research including experience in the University/Hospital research environment.          

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ten (10) years of experience in the administration of research including experience in the University/Hospital research environment, especially in contracting and federal award management.

2. Significant expertise successfully negotiating a wide variety of contracts and associated documents with industry partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Represents the hospital as an Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts, clinical trial agreements, industrial sponsored research contracts, material transfer agreements, technology transfer agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, service agreements, and consultant agreements. 

2. Works with Tufts MC Legal Department to ensure contract language is appropriate for Tufts MC’s risk tolerance.

3. Works with Scientists, Research Administrators, and department Administrators in developing grant and contract research proposals and verifying compliance issues in accordance with Tufts MC and Sponsoring Agencies policies and requirements (human subjects (AAHRPP requirements, animal welfare, consulting arrangements, etc.).

4. Triages technology transfer licenses and agreements in collaboration with Tufts MC Legal Counsel and the Technology Transfer Office and engage with this effort, in general.

5. Develops and implements policies and procedures to meet both Federal Audit Guidelines as well as the Hospital goals for Research Administration.

6. Represents the hospital in the grant/contract and clinical trial negotiations with the Federal government and private industry sponsors.

7. Comprehends the complex federal fringe benefit and indirect cost policies required for authoritative input into the establishment of these rates and assists in negotiating full recovery of these costs for industry agreements.

8. Initiates reviews and approves all subcontracts/consortium agreements pertaining to grants and contracts (100+ agreements per year).

9. Develops and implements a program including measurable metrics to streamline the contracting process and reduce the turnaround time on contract execution.

10. Coordinates a team approach for the creation and presentation of professional development tools and training materials for faculty related to PI responsibilities.

11. Coordinates a team approach for the creation and presentation of professional development tools and training materials for Research Administrators related to Grants and Contracts administration / Pre-award responsibilities.

12. Prepares reports regarding Pre-Award activities across the medical center including, but not limited to, application status reports, success rates, application activity by department and PI, etc.

13. Monitors and interprets for use all relevant regulations and practices associated with federal, state, local and private funding sources.

14. Administers nonfinancial post-award actions, e.g., no-cost extensions, award transfers, FFATA reporting and sub-recipient monitoring compliance.

15. Maintains currency in field of Research Administration with a specific emphasis on Pre-Award management in academic medical centers.

16. Provides troubleshooting assistance and intervention for all aspects of grants application and administration.  Assists faculty and staff with issues as they arise with partner institutions and industry partners.

17. Participates in appropriate professional organizations.  Specifically, will serve at Tufts MC’s administrative member to the Federal Demonstration Project by attending meetings in Washington DC, will be an active member of the Boston Area Pre-Award (BAPA) group, will have an active role in the National Clinical and Translational Science Awards program (NCATS CTSA representing the Tufts-Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Tufts-CTSI)).

18. Represents Research Administration on hospital-wide committees as appropriate.

19. Serves as the point of contact for Grants and Contracts compliance matters.

20. Engages in regular assessment, planning and process improvement activities.

21. Develops long- and short-term goals and objectives for Grants and Contracts in keeping with the mission, goals and objectives of the Hospital. 

22. Supervises Grants and Contracts staff.

Physical Requirements:

1. This is largely a sedentary role, which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve movements such as walking, standing, reaching, ascending/descending stairs, and operating office equipment.      

2. Frequently required to speak, hear, communicate, and exchange information.      

3. Ability to see and read computer displays, read fine print, and/or normal type size print and distinguish letters, numbers and symbols.      

4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard. 

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge in federal, non-Federal regulations and operating policies of sponsored research including OMB Circulars A-110 and A-21.

2. Knowledge of PHS Grants Policy Statement, OMB A-133 audit requirements and other federal compliance issues.

3. High degree of organizational skill in order to function in a complex, constantly changing academic environment.

4. Strong interpersonal skills to interact successfully with faculty (M.D.'s, PhD’s), Senior Management and Staff.

Job Profile Summary

​This role focuses on performing work related to research and development of new products, innovation, and improvement of products and processes. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Research and Development Leadership duties: Controls, directs, and participates in the activities of the organization through a hierarchy of managers and supervisors. Responsibilities also include long-term strategic planning, determining the policies of the organization, and allocating its resources and making decisions regarding organization growth and diversification to accomplish entity's vision.  A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that manages experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in assignments.  Responsibilities typically include:  policy and strategy implementation for short-term results (1 year or less), problems faced are difficult to moderately complex, and influences others outside of own job area regarding policies, practices and procedures.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org.