Senior Director, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Job Title

Senior Director, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis

Grade

Grade 9A | Salary range from $120,000.00/yr

Department

Home Office | Science 

FLSA Status

Full Time | Exempt 

Supervisor (title)

VP, Science

POSITION SUMMARY (Basic purpose or primary function of job)

The Senior Director, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis (Senior Director) reports to the Vice President, Science, in the Science Department of the Arthritis Foundation. This position serves as the point person for execution of the scientific agenda of the Foundation as it relates to Autoimmune and Inflammatory Arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Juvenile Arthritis (JA) and related indications. 

This includes 1) full-lifecycle grants management for a portfolio of grants related to autoimmune and inflammatory arthritis, 2) managing scientific experts working with the Arthritis Foundation in a volunteer capacity on different committees and advisory boards, 3) representing the Arthritis Foundation publicly in interactions with the medical and research communities and developing collaborations that support both scientific and organizational goals and 4) striving to represent the patient perspective by drawing on the insights of the Arthritis Foundation’s established relationships and stakeholder communities. In all discussions across various stakeholders from the scientific and medical community, public and private sector, the Senior Director will work to establish productive relationships and to build consensus on how best to advance the Arthritis Foundation’s scientific agenda. The efforts of the Senior Director support the overarching goal of achieving health outcome improvement for people living with arthritis by enabling advances in basic, translational, clinical and regulatory science related to autoimmune and inflammatory arthritis. 

Within the Foundation, the Senior Director develops and maintains relationships within the Science Department to support the overall scientific strategy. The Senior Director also maintains close contact with other internal departments, including Advocacy, Patient Education, Marketing and Communications and Fundraising, to provide updated and accurate information on science initiatives, and to partner on cross-departmental projects where needed. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (Principal responsibilities or job duties)

1. Lead and direct the Arthritis Foundation RA and JA grant programs. 
   1. Work with external advisory committees and key partners to provide strategic planning, development and evaluation of research programs.
   2. Manage the grant making process, including RFA development and promotion, interactions with applicants, oversight of peer review, contract negotiations, management of the scientific awardee portfolio, and communication of progress and results. 
   3. Manage external partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, such as CARRA, FNIH and ACR in the relevant disease areas. 
   4. These responsibilities are likely to expand to include research programs focused on other autoimmune and inflammatory forms of arthritis as the Science department grows. 
2. Lead the development of assigned conferences, consortiums, working groups, invited speaker engagements and other events to enhance the visibility and prominence of the Arthritis Foundation in the arthritis scientific community.
3. Support the VP, Science in planning and budgeting for assigned research programs.
   1. Refine and help execute the five-year strategic plan for assigned research areas.
   2. Support the development and administration of the department budget relevant to assigned grant programs (demonstrate thoughtful stewardship of Foundation resources and assets).
   3. Support the development and execution of multi-year strategies for arthritis research and anticipated investments of time and resources.
   4. Develop and integrate risk management plans to identify potential risks to program performance, timeliness, and quality of results
4. Communicate and collaborate with key stakeholders inside the Arthritis Foundation.
   1. Prepare and deliver presentations and reports for the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (MSAC), and other scientific committees and workgroups as needed. 
   2. Initiate and maintain frequent, congenial, collaborative and diplomatic working relationships with senior management, department heads and National Office staff at all levels, including with other members of the Science Department.
   3. Leverage clinical, scientific, and business insights to inform and advise the development and implementation of