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Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a collaborative and highly organized Deputy Director to support the Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) Coordinating Center, a national initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The HERA Coordinating Center supports research that advances health equity through community-centered, action-oriented, and systems-level approaches.

The Deputy Director will work closely with the Co-Directors to manage the day-to-day operations of the Coordinating Center, coordinate grantmaking activities, support partnerships across collaborating institutions, and ensure successful implementation of program goals. The Deputy Director will serve as a key member of the HERA leadership team and help facilitate communication among MSU, partner institutions, community organizations, funded investigators, and RWJF.

The ideal candidate is a doctoral-trained health equity scholar with experience managing complex research or grant-funded initiatives, coordinating grantmaking activities, and working collaboratively with diverse partners. This position is dependent on grant funding and has the potential for renewal.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Support the Co-Directors in the day-to-day management of the HERA Coordinating Center.
• Coordinate implementation of program activities, deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Track project milestones and facilitate communications across multiple work groups.
• Prepare reports and assist with strategic planning activities.
• Work collaboratively with HERA staff to ensure efficient program operations.

• Coordinate competitive grantmaking activities, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), reviewer recruitment, review meetings, award administration and reporting.
• Assist with monitoring funded projects and ensuring compliance with RWJF requirements.
• Coordinate technical assistance and communication with funded investigators and community partners.
• Help maintain equitable and transparent grantmaking processes.

• Serve as a liaison between MSU, collaborating HERA Coordinating Centers, RWJF, advisory committees, and community organizations.
• Foster strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support cross-site collaboration and knowledge sharing across partner institutions.

• Support community engagement activities and help ensure meaningful community participation throughout the research funding process.
• Coordinate meetings and activities with community advisory groups and external partners.
• Promote equitable and respectful partnerships with community organizations.

• Assist in preparing reports, presentations, meeting materials, and communications for RWJF and partner organizations.
• Coordinate internal and external communications among HERA partners.
• Contribute to dissemination of program activities through webinars, conferences, and publications as appropriate.

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person's…