Director, Strategy & Operations - CHILD

About the CHILD Cohort Study:

The CHILD Cohort Study (www.childstudy.ca)(CHILD) is a national prospective longitudinal birth cohort study involving over 3,500 Canadian infants and their families. The CHILD cohort study explores how genetics, biology, social exposures and early childhood environmental exposures lead to the development of early chronic diseases such as asthma and allergies. The study has recruitment sites in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto, with the National Coordinating Centre (NCC) located at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Established in 2009, the CHILD cohort study has become an internationally recognized study of detailed physiology combined with comprehensive biologic, social and environmental assessments. It is a key resource to support our understanding of precision health by providing comprehensive normative data.

Reporting directly to the Director of Administration (DOA) of Medicine and dotted line to the CHILD Study Director, we are seeking an energetic, creative, forward-thinking and methodologically trained individual to join the study as Director of Strategy & Operations of the CHILD National Coordinating Centre (NCC). They will be tasked with providing strategic operational oversight for this interdisciplinary and multisite research program.

Job Summary:

The Director of Strategy & Operations is responsible for driving the success of the cohort as Canada’s largest pediatric longitudinal cohort study. This requires strong science to business development acumen, experience and skills, strategic vision, a forward-thinking mindset and the ability to swiftly execute priority actions that will drive the success of the CHILD Cohort, expand its reach and influence. The director will provide management support to the CHILD Scientific Directors and CHILD Executive and will be required to drive a successful business model working with other site leaders, site coordinators and technical teams to build and maintain the database as well as support data sharing. With the aim to create a viable sustainable enterprise, the post holder will continuously assess needs, ensure the provision of quality services in line with demands, monitor the financial well-being of the CHILD Cohorts and adjust costing to ensure financial health while working to build a sustainability model.

The Director, Strategy & Operations is directly responsible for the ongoing human resource development and management of the NCC staff. In addition, the Director, Strategy & Operations will take on fulfilling all senior-level management functions while reporting to the Study Director & CHILD Executive and will directly manage a team of approximately four to six staff members.

Accountabilities:

Strategic and Operational Planning:

• Strategic oversight, growth of CHILD cohort study influence, brand recognition as well as ensuring financial stability
• Collaborate with CHILD Directors & Executive to develop an implementation plan for the scientific vision for the cohort sustainability, patient engagement, data sharing and knowledge mobilization
• Develop and oversee a functional operational structure that delivers on the CHILD strategic vision
• Oversight of the National Coordinating Center operational team as well as matrixed teams involved in the day-to-day running of the CHILD cohort study functions
• Ensuring the functionality of all Governance Committees as outlined in the governance framework
• Facilitate team research grant applications, reports, and protocols
• Identify and develop applications for infrastructure and operational funding to support CHILD
• Develop and execute strategies to ensure that the CHILD research platform is used to optimal levels
• Build trusted relationships with academic and research subject matter experts as well as other industry leaders
• Report on CHILD’s key deliverables and progress to the CHILD Directors and Executive Committee, other funding agencies, and research ethics boards
• Consult and engage experts and vendors to ensure infrastructure meets regulatory compliance frameworks

Staffing:

• Responsible for orientation and onboarding of scientists, trainees who interact with the CHILD study.
• Staffing responsibilities also include hiring/recruitment and performance management for the staff managed within CHILD NCC.

Fiscal Management:

• Develop, manage, and have oversight of the CHILD’s budgets.
• Support the enabling units’ responsible investigators/ Directors/ Managers in budget development, management and control
• In Collaboration with the Study Director and McMaster University’s Research Office, develop and oversee funding sub-agreements with all institutions participating in data collection.
• Liaise on financial budget projections and planning to sustain the study long-term.

Partnerships/Collaborations:

• The Director, Strategy & Operations, will oversee the establishment of strategic partnerships and communications plans for the CHILD study.
• Support the development of strategies to ensure sustainability of the cohort, increase its access and usability as a data science platform.
• Support partnerships, outreach and knowledge translation strategies that will increase the success of the study.
• The Director, Strategy & Operations will oversee the public relations activity and promotional aspects of the study.

Other Duties:

• Oversee the data and sample access process and the design of data management systems
• Evaluate new developments in analytical software; exchange technical information with internal and external colleagues.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Masters in Public Health / Population Health or equivalent with working knowledge of observational cohorts with biological samples
• MBA or Masters in Health Administration would be preferred

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of research management experience, preferably in a research environment with national scope along with seven to ten years of clinical research experience.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Training in Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles applied to research is an asset
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills as well as interpersonal, presentation and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated excellence in creative problem solving, championing change, driving results, budget development, supervisory experience, and proficiency in the use of electronic communications.
• Proven skill in relationship management and achieving results using a collaborative approach as well as experience with infrastructure development.
• Significant related experience in a senior setting with strategic planning, decision-making, and financial analysis responsibility is required.
• Required software proficiency MS Office, statistical analysis software, citation management software, web conferencing.

Assets:

• Doctoral degree in Epidemiology, Physiology or equivalent
• Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) designation
• Excellent knowledge of project, information, data and sample management systems, databases, word processing and presentation applications
• Excellent knowledge of the governance, policies, procedures, and protocols of academic institutions
• Ability to think strategically and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to initiate, lead and design research programs.

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

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The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion.

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