Staffing Advisors has been exclusively retained by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute ("PCORI") to conduct a search for a Director, Merit Review. PCORI is an equal opportunity employer.

Please submit your application to Staffing Advisors through this link: Director, Merit Review.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

• Strategic Leadership. Internally, you'll create an environment of trust and respect, evaluate and refine current processes, and put in place best practices and/or innovative business procedures and efficiencies that are understood and used by all. Through your external work with sector peers and the research communities, you will ensure PCORI is a leading voice and innovator in the nonprofit health research funding sector.
• Process Improvement. You will evaluate our current merit review processes to ensure the integrity of the process is maintained and all requirements are value-added. You will implement process improvements where needed to balance speed with accountability and improve our ability to meet programmatic needs with processes that are rigorous yet efficient.
• Team Management. You will thoughtfully and effectively manage, mentor, and organize our Merit Review staff, leveraging individual strengths and fostering productive collaboration within the team and across adjacent departments.

• You'll enjoy a purpose-driven hybrid work environment, collaborating with colleagues 3 days on-site in our Washington, DC, office with the option to telework the rest of the week.
• You are joining a team of mission-driven professionals with a high level of experience in the field who are genuinely interested in helping each other succeed. This role is intellectually stimulating; you'll be learning and addressing new challenges every day.

• Lead the development, implementation, and/or refinement of the PCORI merit review strategy and create multi-year strategic goals that align with PCORI's broader strategic plan and priorities.
• Identify ways to track department progress in achieving goals, proactively report on progress, and adjust associated strategies and processes, as appropriate.
• To ensure the successful execution of all merit review activities, provide expert guidance and leadership to cross-functional interactions across all divisions of the PCRP as well as divisions within other PCORI departments, including Planning & Evaluation; Communications; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; DIGITAL (IT); Procurement Services; and others.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with other nonprofit health research funders, leading experts, and other stakeholders.
• Represent PCORI at relevant sector events, including the research communities, and promote our unique patient-centered approach to merit review.

• Lead the identification, formulation, revision, and implementation of PCORI policies and procedures relating to merit review activities.

• Oversee a highly effective team of about 18 full-time staff members, as well as variable surge support contractors, of multiple levels and areas of responsibility to ensure the successful administration of the full merit review process in compliance with internal policies and PCORI's policies for applicants. This includes, but is not limited to, contributing to the PCORI annual funding cycle timeline; guiding and overseeing all aspects of recruitment and training of patients, stakeholders, and scientists as merit reviewers and panel chairs; guiding preparation of pre-and post-review documents and materials for use by applicants, reviewers and staff; and implementing the merit review work plan.
• Develop, manage, and maintain the Merit Review unit's annual operating budget.
• Oversee the review of an annual funding application volume of 300-500 applications with multiple funding announcements and funding cycles.
• Oversee all Merit Review procurement activities for meeting, consulting, or surge support services.
• Interact effectively with all members of the Merit Review team (including staff, interns, and third-party workers), members of the PCORI senior and other staff, merit reviewers (current and prospective), and external stakeholders/sector leaders.
• Foster, support, and align with the Program Operations goal of proactively cultivating, through actions and attitudes, a culture of support, synergy, respect, trustworthiness, and accountability with all PCORI internal and external stakeholders.

• Collaborative. You communicate and coordinate effectively at every level. You share information, work cooperatively, seek out relevant information, decide on the appropriate steps, and achieve the desired results.
• Gravitas. You have a confident and engaging communication style. You can see the big picture, balance priorities, and remain confident and flexible in a high-visibility environment.
• Leader. You are a facilitator and team builder. You have proven experience coaching, mentoring, and developing staff at all professional levels.
• Mission-driven. You are externally focused and committed to providing the highest level of service while remaining aligned with the mission of the organization.
• Strategic. You set priorities wisely and make tough resource allocation decisions, always finding a way to forward strategic initiatives while enriching relationships.

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in clinical research review and management, ideally working with a variety of research funding models. Doctorate or professional degree (e.g., Ph.D., ScD, MD, DrPH) in a relevant field desirable.
• Proven leadership in research program administration, scientific project management, or a specific area of knowledge, preferably in a nonprofit health research funding environment.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing staff and leading teams in a collaborative environment.
• Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in working with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.