Program Officer, Research Infrastructure and Innovation

at  PCORI

ABOUT US:

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Associate Director, the Program Officer is responsible for strategic decision-making and high-level program planning, management and monitoring of a program portfolio and program activities (e.g., advisory panels, workgroup meetings) that advance PCORI’s patient-centered research agenda. This position will focus on the use of data, technology and infrastructure, including PCORnet, the National Patient Centered Research Network, to advance innovation in the conduct of patient-centered outcomes research. The primary responsibilities include providing scientific oversight for funded research and infrastructure awards, development of funding announcements, and evaluation and implementation of program activities to further the strategic direction of the Patient Centered Research program.

Required Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with PCORI staff members.
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
• Strong oral presentation skills.
• Strong project and people management skills.
• Personally motivated to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants.
• Ability to travel, as required, including for site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.
• Proficient in the use of technology.
• Ability to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities.
• Ability to envision innovative solutions

Required Experience

• Research Infrastructure and Innovation is seeking a Program Officer with demonstrated understanding of the use of health data and technology infrastructure to support innovative approaches to health research or healthcare.
• Experience organizing and leading researcher focused communication and engagement efforts is preferred.
• Doctoral degree plus minimum of five (5) years of experience in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research (e.g., clinical epidemiology, health services research, health policy, biostatistics, health economics, bioinformatics, data science, or health education) OR a Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., MPH, MPA, MPP; or MBA) plus minimum of seven (7) years of experience.
• Experience plus proven leadership in a funding research agency/organization; and/or extensive experience and proven leadership in research program and staff management

General Program Responsibilities:

• Assists Associate Director, Chief Research Infrastructure Officer and Patient Centered Research Programs (PCRP) leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the Program.
• Identifies and manages the development and implementation of program funding activities (e.g., funding opportunity announcements).
• Supports the strategy, work, and convening of committees, workgroups, and/or advisory panels of PCORI staff or stakeholders
• Collaborates with staff from the PCRP Programmatic Unit, including Comparative Effectiveness Research, Engagement, Dissemination and Implementation, Communications, Planning and Evaluation, and Program Operations staff in implementing program activities.
• Works independently in managing research and infrastructure awards.

Portfolio Management:

• Leads efforts to increase the use of PCORnet by enhancing visibility and understanding of the unique capabilities of PCORnet by the research community.
• Identifies and manages the design and implementation of activities to support the development of program-specific PCORI funding announcements (e.g. working with external organizations including government organizations).
• Develops, with input from PCORI staff and external organizations, program-specific PCORI funding announcements.
• Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the PCORI funding announcement process.
• Advises awardees on the execution of their contracts
• Engages in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress, conducting site visits, and implementing learning networks or conferences to facilitate shared learning opportunities for relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Contracts Management staff to assess status of projects.
• Evaluates the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and to identify need for modification of strategic funding directions and opportunities.
• Advises potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process.

Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, and the application process and award results.
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status.
• Leads, contributes to, and participates in internal groups and teams and cross-cutting initiatives. Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management.
• Keeps Research Infrastructure and Innovation and PCRP teams appraised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.
Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with PCORI staff members.
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
• Strong oral presentation skills.
• Strong project and people management skills.
• Personally motivated to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants.
• Ability to travel, as required, including for site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.
• Proficient in the use of technology.
• Ability to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities.
• Ability to envision innovative solutions.

Required Experience

• Research Infrastructure and Innovation is seeking a Program Officer with demonstrated understanding of the use of health data and technology infrastructure to support innovative approaches to health research or healthcare.
• Experience organizing and leading researcher focused communication and engagement efforts is preferred.
• Doctoral degree plus minimum of five (5) years of experience in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research (e.g., clinical epidemiology, health services research, health policy, biostatistics, health economics, bioinformatics, data science, or health education) OR a Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., MPH, MPA, MPP; or MBA) plus minimum of seven (7) years of experience.
• Experience plus proven leadership in a funding research agency/organization; and/or extensive experience and proven leadership in research program and staff management.

PCORI recommends all members of the PCORI workforce adhere to the CDC recommendations regarding staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.