Director, Programs Contracting: BIDMC

When you join the growing BILH team, you’re not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), the Director of Sponsored Programs Contracting (SPC) is responsible for the planning, development, implementation and measurement of sponsored programs contracting activities including fiscal management, human resources, resource allocation and compliance. The Director represents the institution as a signing official for Research Administration business. The position will work with investigators, the General Counsel’s Office, the Clinical Trials Office, the Technology Ventures Office, Institutional Review Board, and other institutional offices to oversee the negotiation of Subcontracts, Clinical Trial Agreements, Data Use Agreements, Billing Agreements, and other atypical agreements.

The Director's primary focus will be on developing strategy, enhancing process improvement, improving internal customer satisfaction, and overseeing the department. This role involves a thorough review of systems and processes to ensure efficiency and value across all contracting functions. Additionally, the Director is responsible for setting milestones and implementing evaluation mechanisms to consistently oversee contract performance and compliance.

The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and the SPA senior management team to lead high quality research administration. The Director will have a continuous improvement mindset for SPC, focusing on quality improvements while maintaining the integrity of contracting management objectives.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and implementation of the contracting management strategy and annual work plan.

• Directs the process of identifying, formulating, revising, and implementing policies and procedures for sponsored programs contracting management at BIDMC.

• Guides the SPC team in managing both incoming and outgoing non-industry subcontract agreements, with a strong focus on adhering to federal and non-profit sponsor regulations.

• Identifies methods for tracking and evaluating departmental progress towards goals, actively reports on this progress, and revises strategies and processes when necessary.

• Directs daily activities of a highly effective team of 6 to 8 full-time staff members to ensure the successful administration of the contracting management process for approximately 1300 actions each year, comprised of both incoming and outgoing agreements and amendments.

• Ensures SPC’s participation in effective design, implementation, and use of BIDMC’s contracts database (Huron Research Suite Agreements Module).

• Regularly monitors workload trends and conducts monthly reviews of the contract backlog report with the SPC team, while also generating action plans to streamline processes, identify and address inefficiencies, and enhance overall productivity and internal customer experience.

• Ensures appropriate SPC organizational structure as well as performance management and professional development of staff; undertakes employment actions such as hiring, termination, corrective action, and performance reviews.

• Collaborates with Research Administration teams and other R&AA divisions in support of broader organizational issues.

• May administer a small contracts portfolio including coverage for other SPC staff.

• Maintains positive relationships with Principal Investigators and study teams through transparent, efficient process management and workflows between departments.

• Emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and effective conflict resolution to ensure smooth team dynamics and efficient contract execution.

• Develops robust relationships…