Director, Research Administration - Tisch Cancer Center
Summary
Oversees administrative and operational functions for a cancer center division, including budgeting, policy implementation, compliance, and team leadership in a healthcare setting.
The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center (TCC) is seeking a Director for Research Administration who will also hold the role of Associate Director for Administration for the P30 Cancer Center Support Grant. The TCC at Mount Sinai is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center focused on fostering innovative cancer research, training the next generation of cancer researchers, and engaging with our local community. Originally awarded its NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) in 2015, it received comprehensive status in 2025. The TCC has over 180 members, 4 scientific programs, 7 CCSG-supported shared resources, and ~32 million in NCI direct awards.
The Director for Research Administration (Director) reports to the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center Director (TCC Director) and is responsible for providing strategic planning, management, and overall administrative oversight for activities in the TCC in keeping with the guidelines of the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant.
- CCSG Data Reporting. Ensures the production and submission of CCSG data reporting following the mandated NCI format as outlined in the P30 Cancer Center Support Grant. This includes data related to TCC membership, grants, publications, shared resource usage, volume of new cancer patients, and clinical trial enrollment.
- Strategic Planning. Work with TCC Senior Leadership to identify high-priority areas of ongoing research and new opportunities for program and shared resource development, as well as evaluating current TCC programs, shared resources, funding, and themes. Coordinate and participate in strategic planning committee meetings, including annual Strategic Planning Retreat that results in updates to the TCC Strategic Plan.
- Implementation of Goals. Plan and manage TCC activities to ensure adherence to funding and membership goals/objectives and NCI requirements including community outreach and engagement initiatives. Provide leadership support to foster NCI comprehensive designation for next competitive renewal. Coordinate annual External Advisory Board meetings.
- Program and Shared Resource Oversight. Work with the TCC Senior Leadership to monitor existing research programs and shared resources. Develop the rationale and metrics to support consideration of new programs and shared resources, in response to changing NCI guidelines. Monitor the productivity and quality of each program and the cost-effectiveness of shared resources. Oversee the TCC/CCSG membership process. Review space assignments with the TCC Director annually and implement the Director’s space decisions.
- Pilot Awards and Limited Competitions. Under the guidance of the TCC Director, oversee the pilot award process. This includes initiating the Request for Applications (RFA), coordinating the peer review process, tracking scientific progress, establishing individual fund accounts, monitor use of award monies, and calculate the Return on Investment (ROI). Additionally, run selection process for limited award nominations, including recruiting reviewers and helping the selected applicants.
- Grants Management. Directly manage the submission of all P30 CCSG competing and non-competing renewals, including supplements. This includes the writing and editing of select components of the grant. Act as the administrative contact/liaison for the P30 CCSG. Ensure that principal investigators are kept aware of current and upcoming reporting and regulatory requirements. Work with the Grants and Contract Office and Sponsored Projects Finance to ensure effective and compliant grant administration. Oversee the development and ongoing coordination of the CCSG and its budget requests and justification. Ensure appropriate allocation of expenses, based on regulatory guidelines.
- Financial Oversight. In addition to the CCSG grant, oversee the TCC school budget, related gift accounts and investigator seed funds. Develop business plans for new shared resources, including planning, break-even analysis, and implementation. Develop strategies for investment, cost containment, and maximizing revenue.
- Management of Staff. Directly supervise staff who assist in implementing principal duties and responsibilities. Develop staffing plans and ensure that position descriptions and performance standards are established for all levels of staff. Ensure that effective performance management guidelines are adhered to, and implement reward and disciplinary processes in accordance with Mount Sinai guidelines.
- Facilities Management. Oversee facilities planning for TCC research, assessing needs against short- and long-term goals. Coordinate all major construction and renovation projects with Mount Sinai facilities departments. Coordinate the negotiation of capital equipment, and ensure that appropriate levels of analysis/projection, and financial documentation are provided.
- Research Base Growth. Foster a multidisciplinary approach to improve revenue generation. Identify planned and newly released requests for proposals from the NIH and other granting agencies. Assist with multi-investigator proposal development (P01s, SPOREs, U grants). Manage processes for selecting candidates to be nominated for limited-applicant grant awards.
- Effective Communications Management. Distribute funding announcements; update the TCC website and assist with TCC newsletter/communications that inform faculty of new grants, honors/awards, and high-impact publications. Notify TCC faculty of events and encourage attendance.
- Faculty Recruitment. Work with the TCC Director and relevant Mount Sinai Chairs to develop and implement strategic plans for the recruitment of faculty in areas targeted for growth. Develop relevant business plans for review and approval by the TCC Director, academic departments, and Mount Sinai Finance. Work with the Mount Sinai Health System to develop term sheets and offer letters.
- Outreach. Increase awareness of the TCC’s research enterprise and enhance the stature of TCC within the scientific and medical community. Work with the Community Outreach and Engagement team to foster awareness of TCC research activities and to disseminate findings to our local communities. Assist with building a robust team of “citizen scientists” to better inform the TCC on the priorities of the community.
- Philanthropy. Work with the Development Office to promote awareness of cancer research capabilities and identify research programs and projects that are aligned with donor investment goals; meet with potential and established donors; work with Finance to develop budgets and monitor spend-down of philanthropic funding lines.
- Bachelors Degree required, Masters degree preferred
- 5-7 years minimum of experience in health care finance or administration; experience in strategic planning and execution, formulating policy, building and developing financial plans, managing resources and leading successful teams
- Preferred:
- Knowledge of NCI CCSG requirements and/or experience with NCI-funded cancer center
- Excellent leadership, organizational and communication skills (written and oral)