Grant Program Manager

Celebrating six decades of Making Cancer History, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston on the sprawling campus of the Texas Medical Center. It is one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.

M. D. Anderson was created by the Texas Legislature in 1941 as a component of The University of Texas System, and the faculty numbers 947 - both M.D.s and Ph.D.s. M. D. Anderson is one of the nation's original three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of 39 such centers today.

M. D. Anderson ranks among the nation's top two cancer hospitals in U.S. News & World Reports 'America's Best Hospitals' survey since its inception 13 years ago.

Function: Provides administrative oversight to the grant process for large-scale grants. Plans, organizes and monitors operations to support the clinical and scientific activities for the Cytokines and Supportive Oncology Section of the Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine Department.

Scope: Large-scale and/or multiple grant activities for the Cytokines and Supportive
Oncology Section of the department.



ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Plans and coordinates the initiatives, interactions, and activities related to the Cytokines and Supportive Oncology research programs.
' Acts as liaison with internal and external collaborators for large grants.
' Ensures compliance with all general, governmental, and NCI regulations and requirements.
' Coordinates and prepares meeting agendas for the scientific advisory meetings.
' Conceives and develop novel strategies to support grant research needs, as necessary.
' Coordinates review board activities and sees that reporting objectives are met.
' Executes and ensures the effectiveness of a system of internal controls.
' Identifies and implements strategies to enhance investigator collaboration and interchange between the clinical scientists.

2. Initiates the Cytokines and Supportive Oncology administrative planning for grant development.
' Prepares non-competing applications and the submission of grant-related reports to funding agencies.
' Assist in writing grants and prepare appendices and grant forms.
' Maintains familiarity with NIH forms and requirements. Provides ongoing information concerning changes in federal policy, institutional and divisional initiatives, etc., to relevant department staff and grant investigators.
' Establishes timelines and ensures prompt submission of necessary materials from co-investigators. Requests necessary updates from co-investigators in a timely manner.
' Oversees preparation of Biographical Sketches for new key personnel added to the grant.
' Acts as liaison for Chairman, Faculty, Clinical Protocol Administration, and Department Administrator with investigators, institutional officials, and granting agency officials to ensure good communication and timely submission. Serves as a primary contact for the Office of Research Administration concerning policy changes and the resolution of grant submission issues.
' Ensures that the information collected is accurate, reflects the requested information, and is provided in accordance with specified guidelines.

3. Management of the day-to-day grant operations.
' Prepares and maintains a database of internal and external grant report and continuation deadlines.
' Serves as a primary contact for Grants and Contracts Accounting concerning policy changes and the resolution of active grant related issues.
' Conducts audits to ensure quality and regulatory compliance.
' Prepares meeting agendas. Takes and distributes detailed and accurate meeting minutes, as assigned.
' Works closely with investigators, Research Nurse Supervisors, and Department Administrator to ensure adequate research nursing and data management support for the clinical trial(s).
' Coordinates grant activities with project and core principal investigators, and report status to the department Chairman, Faculty, Manager, Clinical Protocol Administration, and Department Administrator.
' Proactively identifies and solves grant related issues and maintains internal control systems to measure effectiveness of the grant process.
' Composes grant-related correspondence as necessary and routes appropriately.
' Oversees the maintenance of up-to-date percents of effort for principal and co-investigators.
' Notifies the NCI Grants Specialist and M. D. Anderson Grants and Contracts Accounting of changes to percent of effort for investigators and changes of Principal investigators and Core Leaders.
' Maintains detailed, up-to-date files, and lists of grant publications.
' Acts as an information resource to investigators and staff.



MARGINAL OR PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
' Must have good analytical and conceptual skills paired with detail orientation, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to creatively and innovatively approach problem-solving.
' Displays the ability to work closely with others, communicates clearly and develops efficient systems to promote a high level of productivity. Is able to function professionally and effectively and to influence others to do likewise under occasionally highly stressful conditions.
' Displays exceptional proficiency at the keyboard, utilizing numerous software packages for word processing, graphics, spreadsheets, database management, reference searches, etc.
' Assimilates pertinent information in order to compose written correspondence (must have a strong command of the English language, including spelling, writing, and verbalizing) and be able to communicate well verbally and in writing.
' Understands and follows verbal and written directions, reads and understands printed and written data, organizes and disseminates information in a clearly understood manner, and is clearly understood by verbal communication in face-to-face encounters and by telephone.
' Must have the ability to travel to and from different destinations. Must also be able to maintain a satisfactory work environment by organizing and redistributing files, records, etc., requiring bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, etc.


EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's degree
Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Science

EXPERIENCE
Required: Four years of extensive administrative experience in an academic or research setting to include experience with preparing, coordinating and managing grants. May substitute additional experience or education for required education on a one-to-one year basis.
Preferred: Basic science lab/administrative experience. Research and financial (budgets) experience.