Senior Program Manager

at  OICR

ABOUT OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.
Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Senior Program Manager for the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN). OHCRN is a province-wide program connecting individuals with hereditary cancer to researchers, clinical trials and support groups.
Working with the Leader of OHCRN and Director of Adaptive Oncology, the Senior Program Manager will function as the central interface between the project and scientific and administrative activities to lead the coordination of resources for the established OHCRN program at OICR. The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for managing all planning, administrative and reporting activities within the research program. This role will interact frequently with the Leader of OHCRN, other program and project managers and Principal Investigators (PIs) from various research network activities across Ontario and be responsible for the OICR-based administrative functions such as finance, human resources, facilities, grants and awards, procurement and communications. They will provide strategic leadership and program vision to ensure seamless integration of complex program interdependencies, leveraging their expertise in project management and operations. This role will lead policy development, delivery of the OHCRN platform and strategic partnerships with provincial systems and help ensure that the program acts as a model for clinical-research integrations. Additionally, the Senior Program Manager will proactively share knowledge across OICR and the OHCRN Program and supervise and mentor program resources, including program managers and clinical research coordinators, to foster professional growth and alignment with the program’s strategic objectives. This position requires strong project management skills, and experience in navigating complex stakeholder relationships to ensure the continued success of OHCRN in advancing hereditary cancer research.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master’s degree in a scientific discipline preferably in oncology, genetics, molecular biology, or recognized equivalent
• Progressive project management experience in cancer genetics in a research or health care setting
  For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.
  To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Act as the central point of contact of OHCRN for all administrative and research-oriented communications and reporting activities including budget oversight, operations planning, policies, key performance metrics
• Develop and execute strategic plans aligned with OHCRN’s long-term vision and goals
• Lead the development of a hereditary cancer syndrome registry and standardized platform for cohort management, with emphasis on providing data access for approved investigators
• Lead high-priority initiatives, including registry integration with provincial systems and biobanking efforts
• Collaborate with OHCRN leadership to identify and mitigate risks to achieving OHCRN’s vision
• Ensures seamless execution of OHCRN’s strategic goals in accordance with research ethics practices and maintains OCREB approval of program
• Provide vision and high-level expertise to advance program interdependencies, ensuring integration across OICR-supported initiatives

Stakeholder Management & Partnership Development

• Lead the OHCRN Steering Committee and Subcommittees in collaboration with the Clinical Program Manager
• Build and maintain high-level relationships with Ontario Health, regional hospitals, and granting agencies
• Drive collaborations with cancer centers, genetics clinics, and pathology departments to integrate research findings into screening and surveillance programs
• Oversee the creation of a hereditary cancer biobank and expand existing genomic initiatives across Ontario
• Identify and support clinical trial opportunities for hereditary cancer syndrome cohorts
• Nurture, build, and maintain internal and external collaborative relationships/agreements with relevant teams and community partners
• Lead conversations with data custodians and drive data linkage opportunities, developing institutional agreements where required
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including industry and academic partners, to drive commercialization initiatives.

Program Operations & Reporting

• Manage program budgets, tracking, and compliance, ensuring transparency and adherence to OICR policies. Ensures OHCRN activities are appropriately resourced
• Identify and coordinate submissions to funding opportunities supporting OHCRN activities
• Lead reporting efforts, including milestones, metrics, and deliverables, for internal and external stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health
• Lead the development, implementation and regular maintenance of OHCRN operational policies and procedures, including Data Access Policy, Privacy Policy and Data Access Committee (DAC) procedures
• Oversee privacy compliance and manage all aspects of Privacy Impact and Threat Risk Assessments
• Advise on privacy and material transfer agreements in coordination with Clinical Program Manager
• Collaborate with legal and privacy specialists to manage data-sharing agreements

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide mentorship and leadership to program staff, including Clinical Program Manager and Coordinators
• Promote a collaborative team environment by ensuring alignment with OICR’s values and OHCRN’s mission
• Develop actionable recommendations for team development and oversee their implementation in collaboration with OHCRN leadership
• Foster knowledge sharing and professional development across the organization to support excellence

Communication & Outreach

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with OICR goals in collaboration with OICR Communications, with a focus on engagement with researchers, industry, funding agencies and ministry/government. Coordinate with the Clinical Program Manager on a cohesive communication strategy for patients, clinicians and community engagement
• Represent and champion OHCRN at high-level meetings, conferences, and workshops
• Build upon existing network and relationships to grow OHCRN’s stakeholders and collaborators
• Support the creation of marketing materials and updates to engage community and research stakeholders
• Performs cross-functional and/or other duties consistent with the job classification, as assigned or requested