EOI: Program Director, Patient-partnered Research

• Flexible fractional appointment negotiable, 0.5 to 0.8FTE (2.5 days up to 4 days p/week)
• Offered as a 3-month+ secondment opportunity for a suitably qualified individual

About the position 

The VCCC Alliance is implementing a patient-partnered cancer research program across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). The program will be modelled on, and strongly aligned with, Count Me In (CMI), an existing North American patient-partnered cancer research project led from the Broad Institute.

Working directly with patients, CMI-ANZ will bring together existing clinical data and tumour specimens, collect patient-reported data and additional biospecimens, and generate genomic data from participants. Data will be de-identified, pooled internationally, and made freely available to the international cancer research community for discovery research. Initially, the program will first operate in Australia, with the intention of then implementing the program next in New Zealand.

The Program Director, Patient-partnered Research (Program Director) is responsible for leading the development of the strategic priorities and funding options for CMI-ANZ. Working closely with the CMI-ANZ Joint Steering Committee, the Program Director will work with key stakeholders to further advance and refine the selection of cancers of unmet need for commencement of the program. This will involve managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including consumers, research collaborators, funders, sub-contractors and patient advocacy groups across a range of disciplines including already established CMI-ANZ national advisory committees.

The position is offered as a 3-month opportunity in line with the current funding envelop with the intention of securing longer term funding to take the program forward. 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership and funding

• Lead the further development of the strategic priorities of the CMI-ANZ patient-partnered research program
• Scope and develop a proposal and recommendations for longer-term funding options for CMI-ANZ, to secure the future implementation of the program
• Participate in further developing and managing the vision and strategic plan for CMI-ANZ
• Advise and seek the input and advice of the VCCC Alliance Executive Director on key aspects of the Program’s activities and strategic opportunities/funding progress
• Grow and foster effective teamwork between all Program contributors including the core CMI-ANZ team, the CMI North America project team, funders, research collaborators, sub-contractors and patient advocacy groups; oversee and enable delivery of individual, team and stakeholder objectives

Stakeholder relations & communications

• Establish strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with funders, government officials, senior members of partner research and clinical organisations, professional organisations, other Programs, and initiatives to help achieve the goals of the Patient-partnered Research Program
• Lead and participate in the preparation of communications, publications and presentations, and present Program progress and outcomes at conferences, seminars, and to all stakeholders 
• Represent the Program at initiatives in which the Program is a partner/stakeholder.

This role requires a pro-active and highly motivated individual with a proven ability to cut through complexity and synthesise information. The incumbent will bring significant experience in establishing collaborative multi-faceted stakeholder relations, with excellent negotiation skills and a history of securing significant project or research-related funding. The incumbent will have mid to senior level managerial experience, skilled in leading a small professional team, and with past experience in strategic program development.

Key Selection Criteria

Experience

• Clear understanding of the ethics and benefits of sensitive consumer-led or patient-partnered research
• Significant management experience within the Health and Medical Research sector in leading the implementation of major research/clinical projects
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate development of a research program and attract and secure significant funding
• Proven delivery of complex, multi-organisational programs of work
• Strong track record in effective coaching, mentoring and supervision of staff

Expertise

• Technical and scientific understanding of genomics and personalised medicine as they apply to discovery and translational research
• Ability to manage and work with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, funding bodies, clinicians and government agencies
• Superior Project Management skills
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Solid financial acumen
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in a scientific and/or medical discipline, preferably at post-graduate level

About the VCCC Alliance

The vision

The vision for the VCCC Alliance is to save lives through the integration of consumer-engaged cancer research, education and patient care.

Founded in the holistic principles of the internationally-recognised Comprehensive Cancer Centre model, the alliance brings together 10 of Victoria’s leading research, academic, and clinical institutions to achieve what can only be done through state-wide collaboration. Together we will improve outcomes in cancer in metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria, and forge new approaches to cancer research, education, and patient care for all.

Operating environment

VCCC Alliance’s multi-site, multi-disciplinary model brings together the complementary strengths of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health (including The Royal Melbourne Hospital), the University of Melbourne, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Western Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (including St Vincent's Institute), Austin Health (including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Austin Lifesciences) and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Equity & Inclusion

VCCC Alliance is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation.

VCCC Alliance makes decisions on employment, engagement, promotion and reward on the basis of merit. We are committed to all aspects of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to providing all staff, contractors, appointees, secondees, volunteers and partners with a safe, respectful and rewarding environment. This commitment is set out in more detail in the VCCC Alliance Equal Opportunity Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy.

Further information 

Download Position Description

For further information about VCCC Alliance, please see our website. 

For confidential enquiries regarding this senior secondment opportunity, please contact the VCCC Alliance Executive Director, Professor Grant McArthur ([email protected])  

To express your interest

To express your interest in this role, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining the key reasons for your interest in the role and specifically addressing the Key Selection Criteria to Christine Morton, Head of People & Culture ([email protected]), no later than COB, Wednesday 16 September 2023.