Director, Affiliate Research

Job Description

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education. The Research and Evaluation Department conducts original research studies, assesses the effectiveness of National Office programs and initiatives through evaluation, and facilitates, coordinates, and supports research at Planned Parenthood affiliates. The department aims to expand health care options and improve access to critical services and new ways of delivering care. Purpose : This factor is about the substantive focus of the job encompassing the scope, depth and difficulty of the work. The Director of Affiliate Research provides oversight on all aspects of the management, operations, contracting, fiscal management and registration for affiliate research and PPFA Research Network (PPRN) studies. S/he provides leadership to maximize the efficiency of study and project management and implementation of measures to strengthen research infrastructure, capacity, and compliance in the federation. S/he leads efforts to build relationships with leading industry sponsors, academic partners, affiliate leaders, and other key research partners to collaborate with PPFA and affiliates on clinical and health outcomes research. S/he focuses on assuring that the technical, regulatory and administrative management of research throughout the federation is of high quality, and compliant with federal regulations and PPFA policies which he/she/they create and maintain. The chosen candidate must be able to provide research expertise and leadership to the federation (both affiliates and national office staff) and external partners. Delivery : ●Oversee the functions of the Planned Parenthood Research Network which includes all research done at or with affiliates. The main roles of the network are business/partnership development, compliance with local and international regulations for patient safety and protection, and maximization of affiliate revenue and mission impact. ●Create policies, systems and norms for a federation-wide Research Network. ●Create and expand a collaborative research culture within Planned Parenthood. S/he/they will ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the new PPRN. ●Oversee and guide the activities of the newly expanded Planned Parenthood Research Network (PPRN) Advisory Council - a group of (~50) affiliate research leaders who work to expand and advance the Planned Parenthood research agenda. The director will oversee the newly created and implemented governing structure of this body consisting of 8 elected PPRN Advisory Council Officers. ●Provide oversight for a portfolio of active PPFA-coordinated research studies and studies in development. This includes identifying new study opportunities, consulting on multi-affiliate projects not coordinated by PPFA, and convening stakeholders to leverage economies of scale, collaborative efficiencies, and best practices. Activities include protocol analysis, feasibility assessment, budgeting and contracting, implementation planning/operationalizing, fiscal management and monitoring of study progress through completion. ●Provide oversight for Affiliate-Initiated research processes, the PPFA study registration process, and the publication review process. This includes advising and liaising with other department leadership, external researchers and affiliate leaders to ensure the research maintains compliance, publications/presentations do not misrepresent Planned Parenthood in any way, and to provide research-related context for ongoing or future litigation. Oversee the maintenance and revision of the PPFA Research Standards and Guidelines, the PPFA Research Standard Operating Procedures, and accreditation indicators, EOPs, and reviews for research. ●Ensure all internal and external research complies with international Human Subjects Protection and Good Clinical Practice regulations, the PPFA Standards and Guidelines, and the PPFA Research Standard Operating Procedures. ●Lead or oversee all programs, activities, and initiatives that aim to build affiliate research capacity and infrastructure, share best practices, and capitalize on efficiencies and economies of scale. ●Lead efforts to improve and expand affiliate infrastructure and capacity to manage a growing number of increasingly complex clinical trials, research projects and investigator-initiated research studies. Consult with leaders, direct the creation of useful tools and templates for affiliate use, and keep patient safety at the forefront. ●Identify, create, and implement new mechanisms for the provision of research training and professional development for affiliate research staff. This includes creating and overseeing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), identifying and purchasing licenses to access training portals, contracting with experts in the field, and leading trainings. ○Provide oversight and guidance for affiliate capacity building programs led by PPFA- Research Readiness and Expansion Program (ReREP) and the Coordinator Corps Learning Collaborative (CCLC), including the management of the programs’ evaluation, expansion, and resource allocation. This also includes the integration of research into affiliate Epic EHR transitions. ●Provide critical expertise on the implementation and compliance of select PPFA-initiated studies including feasibility data collection, site selection, budgeting and contracting, and research implementation /operations within health centers. May develop implementation plans and presentations for internal audiences. ●Lead efforts in showcasing and disseminating affiliate research study findings, value, and impact both internally and externally. ●Review and utilize study metrics and findings from "dashboards" for study financials and enrollment to make meaningful interventions for ongoing studies, inform future decisions, and evaluate the impact of research at Planned Parenthood. ●Create and conduct presentations at conferences, affiliates, and PPFA. ●Lead an internal and external initiative to address the historic and current racism in research ●Manage a team of affiliate research staff- managers, administrators and consultants. Engagement: ●Provide leadership in the development of strategic partnerships and key alliances to further the goals of the affiliate research strategic plan. Provide guidance, direction and oversight of relationships with study sponsors, partners and funders for the planning and coordination of research done in collaboration with affiliates. ●Partners with other teams across PPFA, including Communications, Medical Services and Litigation and Law, to ensure organizational considerations are reflected in research review and dissemination. ●Develops and fosters relationships with external research and other organizations to ensure that PPFA continues to be a trusted partner in sexual and reproductive health research; cultivates new partnerships with leading industry partners, research organizations, and academic institutions. ●Leads or oversees the research-related aspects of PPFA accreditation reviews. Review affiliate documents, conduct remote interviews to assess affiliate compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines and SOPs. Draft findings to be included in the accreditation indicator report. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): ●Clinical research certification (e.g., CCRC, CCRP) required. ●At least seven years of directly related, progressively responsible clinical research management experience. Experience with clinical research in a health center setting is a must. Experience in a Planned Parenthood affiliate strongly preferred. ●At least 5 years of supervisory experience of direct staff, interns and/or consultants. ●Requires knowledge of reproductive health and the core medical services provided by Planned Parenthood affiliates. ●Demonstrated expertise of concepts related to clinical research and study management, including research regulations, Institutional Review Boards, and FDA Code of Federal Regulations guidelines. ●Must be able to lead and work on multiple, complex projects. Must have strong organizational, problem-solving and planning skills. Must be able to set priorities and balance multiple projects and demands. ●Must have and use excellent judgment and excellent interpersonal skills. ●Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be able to write proposals, project reports, and other professional documents. ●Must be able to identify key information and communicate that information to the appropriate constituencies in a clear, direct, positive, and timely manner. ●Ability to be flexible in working with others, to display tact and diplomacy, and to maintain the integrity of confidential and sensitive information. ●Must be able to work with multiple constituencies across departmental and organizational boundaries to problem-solve, build alliances, and influence meaningful outcomes. ●Must be able to use technology such as google suite and Microsoft office. Demonstrated proficiency in excel required ●Must be able to identify potential inter- and intra-group challenges and strategies for mitigating those challenges. ●Must be able to identify resource constraints and make decisions that maximize resources. ●Demonstrated commitment to reproductive health and rights. TRAVEL : (Indicate the % of time the job requires travel and if international or domestic) 20% $135,000 - $145,000 a year Total offer package to include generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays, individual/family provided medical, dental and vision benefits effective day 1, life insurance, short/long term disability, paid family leave and 401k. We also offer voluntary opt-in for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Transportation/Commuter accounts. We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We're committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. PPFA participates in the E-Verify program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-SY1 *PDN-HR Roles that are denoted as NYC, DC, or both will work a hybrid schedule, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office unless the role is denoted as onsite , which requires working onsite full time or 5 days per week. Apply for this job