Director, Sponsored Programs - Research Administration

Tufts Medical Center is a world-renowned academic medical center that has been providing exceptional care across New England for over two centuries. Our clinicians are dedicated to delivering innovative, patient-centered care every day, from our primary care to our Level I Trauma Center to our leading heart transplant program and over 100 specialties and services. We are also the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine and a leading research institution that conducts game-changing medical and health policy research. 

Job Overview

As the Director, Sponsored Programs Research Administration you will report to the VP Research Administration.  You will be responsible for the centralized pre-award functions within Research Administration at Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC).   Assisting faculty and administrators in the locations of funding sources, proposal preparation and submission, and in the negotiations of sponsored research grants and contracts. You will represent the hospital as the Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts with federal, state, non-profit, academic and industry partners.

Our success has been driven by a team of faculty and staff dedicated to understanding how industry-funded research helps to sustain and compliments a robust federally- and foundation-funded research portfolio. 

Research at Tufts Medicine

Medicine is always evolving, and so are we. What we learn through research initiatives today can uncover life-saving treatments for you and your loved ones in the future. Your health is always at the top of our minds, so we've gathered our brightest minds in medicine to change care, for good. 

At Tufts Medicine, we're motivated by the "what's next." Because when it comes to your health, we work hard to bring the latest breakthroughs in medicine to your care plan. Research and clinical trials expand our understanding of conditions, treatments and medical technologies so we can evolve with our community's changing needs. 

Tufts Medicine researchers relentlessly pursue healthcare's biggest questions: What's next for cancer care? What new drug will treat a medical condition? We've been at the forefront of medical research for more than 200 years to create healthier lives for all. Together, we're driving the next era of healthcare.

What you need

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master's or Doctoral Degree in Business, Law, or Health Administration.

2. Seven (7) years of experience in the administration of research including experience in the University/Hospital research environment.          

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ten (10) years of experience in the administration of research including experience in the University/Hospital research environment, especially in contracting and federal award management.

2. Significant expertise successfully negotiating a wide variety of contracts and associated documents with industry partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Represents the hospital as an Institutional Signature Authority for research grants and contracts, clinical trial agreements, industrial sponsored research contracts, material transfer agreements, technology transfer agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, service agreements, and consultant agreements. 

2. Works with Tufts MC Legal Department to ensure contract language is appropriate for Tufts MC’s risk tolerance.

3. Works with Scientists, Research Administrators, and department Administrators in developing grant and contract research proposals and verifying compliance issues in accordance with Tufts MC and Sponsoring Agencies policies and requirements (human subjects (AAHRPP requirements, animal welfare, consulting arrangements, etc.).

4. Triages technology transfer licenses and agreements in collaboration with Tufts MC Legal Counsel and the Technology Transfer Office and engage with this effort, in general.

5. Develops and implements policies and procedures to meet both Federal Audit Guidelines as well as the Hospital goals for Research Administration.

6. Represents the hospital in the grant/contract and clinical trial negotiations with the Federal government and private industry sponsors.

7. Comprehends the complex federal fringe benefit and indirect cost policies required for authoritative input into the establishment of these rates and assists in negotiating full recovery of these costs for industry agreements.

8. Initiates reviews and approves all subcontra