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The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics is one of the nation’s premier health policy research centers.  Housed jointly in the School of Pharmacy and Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California (USC), its mission is to measurably improve value in health care through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public sector engagement.  The Center achieves this mission through groundbreaking research and policy analysis in health economics, health services research, and pharmaceutical economics. 

The Schaeffer Center comprised approximately 100 faculty and staff who collaborate on a wide array of research and policy questions.  The Center’s Communications group supports a sophisticated dissemination strategy to ensure Schaeffer Center research informs health policy.  Research staff (directors, administrators, specialists) together with media and communications experts all ensure that research projects are shepherded effectively.  The Center also supports a large research programming staff and a data core with access to national survey data and large claims databases from public and private sources. 

Position Description

The Schaeffer Center seeks an experienced Research Program Director to oversee, direct and coordinate Center operations in support of its mission.  The Research Program Director works with the Director and Associate Director of the Schaeffer Center and is responsible for planning and directing Center staff, budget administration, space allocation and design, equipment, workflow and operational philosophy.  Balances the alignment of the strategic objectives with managing daily activities.  Serves as a senior advisor to and acts on behalf of the Director assuring and providing critical, high-level support to optimize Director’s time.  Conducts and participates in short-and long-range planning for the Center.  Directs and guides the planning, designing, implementation, and updating of the policies, programs, projects and procedures that manage daily Center and research operations.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage policies related to administration, finance, communications, development and research and supervise Center’s staff directors or leads in administration, finance, external affairs (communications, fundraising, events), research development (grants), research data and technology, and Center research initiatives;

• Manage strategic partnerships within USC and develop research funding partnerships — including departments, schools, research centers, and administration — and other outside organizations;

• Initiate periodic strategic visioning and planning for the Center;

• Establish a cohesive vision for the Center to further its mission and policy impact, lead business and financial planning, and oversee the execution of business plans;

• Review research programs, develop strategies in conjunction with Center faculty, and operationalize (‘stand-up’) new research program initiatives; and

• Lead a staff of approximately 40 people and oversee the Center’s research infrastructure. Responsible for fostering an organizational structure that promotes stability, continuity and retention by providing equitable career development with professional growth and advancement opportunities.

Successful candidates are highly skilled organization leaders with executive research management experience, strategic long-range thinkers with excellent execution skills, and exceptional interpersonal communication skills (an influencer/motivator), and has worked successfully with stakeholders and thought leaders. Independent, organized, efficient, able to delegate effectively, and manages by example.

Qualifications

Applicants must have health policy, health economics, health services research background, an understanding of public policy, and experience in research organization management. A Master’s degree in health policy, health services research, health economics, public health or a related health or research field and 7 years of management and supervisory experience required.  Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

This is a full-time management position that requires strong organizational and managerial skills. The candidate must have experience supervising staff, managers, and directors. The successful candidate will have:

• Long-range organizational strategic thinking and planning

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills and superior presentation skills

• Agility to recognize and capitalize on opportunities (to promote the Center or fundraise)

• Ability to oversee multiple portfolios of research projects, meeting deadlines and budget requirements

• Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and execute on a strategic vision with measurable outcomes to document successes

• Proactive and customer-oriented

Ph.D. in health policy, health services research, health economics, public health or a related health or research field with more than 10 years of management and supervisory experience is preferred.

• Experience in health policy research, research consulting, and producing program impact is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated track record in grant solicitation and publishing in peer reviewed journals is highly desirable.

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position is a FTE on a 2-year (renewable) fixed term.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.