Director Research

WHO WE ARE: A San Diego based non-profit funding agency that emphasizes transformative, collaborative, and patient-impact cancer research. In 2021, two separate cancer-focused organization, Padres Pedal the Cause and the Immunotherapy Foundation, merged and launched Curebound. Over the past three years, Curebound has experienced tremendous organizational growth, expanded the annual budget of $4.5M at its peak (as Padres Pedal) to a budget of $16.5M annually in 2024. Curebound is embarking on its next 5-year strategic plan in 2024, in which curating and funding game-changing research is the core purpose. Prior to 2021, Curebound previously outsourced research grant administration and in 2023 brought that work internal. Going into the second full year of internal grant administration, Curebound has a significant need for an experienced, dedicated leader in grant administration and measurement and evaluation, so Curebound can continue to drive research impact and results. Curebound's greatest opportunity and greatest risk is the ability to demonstrate impact of the research we are funding. As such, this is a critical time in the organizational development to establish strong processes, infrastructure, and tools to measure our impact and enhance our research strategy.
POSITION SUMMARY: Curebound is seeking a dynamic individual drive research implementation and measurement. In partnership with the Chief Science Advisor, this includes spearheading efforts to grow and optimize existing grant programs, building and deploying new research programs to fulfill our mission, creating and measuring our impact strategy, and ultimately deliver our research funding commitment. The ideal candidate will partner with Curebound leadership and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to establish clear and structured goals, metrics, and impact deliverables, ensuring that Curebound can demonstrate our impact on the cancer community and keep our commitment to stakeholders.
This individual will play a pivotal role in connecting research work across Curebound and ensuring research is infused in all that we do including communication, community building, special events and beyond. The candidate will manage the research work from concept to implementation with a true passion from within.
PRIORITY AREAS (2024) 1.Implement Continuous Impact Measurement and Evaluation : Establish, implement, and maintain a robust framework to measure, analyze, evaluate, and report the impact of Curebound's research initiatives. Develop metrics, systems, and evaluation tools to track and communicate the outcomes and contributions of our research efforts. Take ownership and embrace the on-going goal of being an expert in Curebound's impact in advancing cures for cancer.
2.Manage and Implement Ongoing Research Programs : In partnership with the Chief Science Advisor, Senior Director of Research and other staff resources, lead, project manage, optimize, and execute Curebound's Discovery Grants, Targeted Grants, and Cure Prize research programs.
3.Develop New Research Programs : Partner with the Chief Science Advisor, other team members, and SAB to spearhead the successful initiation and implementation of new grant programs, including Catalyst, cancer equities expansion, and other potential programs like early investigator program.
4.Provide Team Leadership , Operations and Support : Continue to build the infrastructure behind Curebound's research department, including project management, meeting management, grant cycle implementation, SAB communication, grantee communication, Proposal Central implementation, and research liaison to the staff team and contracted staff. Establish best practices based on industry standards and seek alliances where relevant.
PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 1.Impact : Establish, implement, and maintain a robust framework to measure, analyze, evaluate, and report the impact of Curebound's research initiatives. 30% Develop metrics, systems, and evaluation tools to track and communicate the outcomes and contributions of our research efforts Conduct annual assessments of researchers funded by Curebound. Assess and share learning and results, continuously keep in touch with research teams to identify opportunities to communicate impact to Curebound supporters Create key metrics and communicate via a dashboard with staff, leadership volunteers, and stakeholders Consider immediate and longitudinal research results and impact Manage surveying and Curebound's ROI tools Work with marketing to share key data, accomplishments, and results of research programs, including highlights of research projects and scientists 2.Research Implementation and Strategy : Lead implementation and serve as primary project manager in executing research strategy at Curebound, including ongoing and new grant programs 30% Partner with Chief Science Advisory and research team to manage successful implementation of the annual grant programs Design and update the annual RFAs Create the calendar, timeline, and support materials Lead Proposal Central partnership and technology enhancement Assist in the dissemination and collection of applications Support the peer review process and final recommendation on funded grants Gain buy-in and partnership from SAB leadership and other key stakeholders needed to finalize decisions Partner with Curebound leadership to lead the creation of new research grant programs, such as early investigator and cancer equity focused RFA Oversee relationship management with all Curebound funded grantees through ongoing communication and partnership 3.Team Leadership and Research Department Operations 30%
Support philanthropy and community engagement efforts by providing researcher information and grant information for donors and funder grant applications Ensure all funded researchers and key grant process moves are recorded in Salesforce and manage relationships as a portfolio Manage grant tracking for all funded grantees, with key financial data, deliverables, progress reports etc. Ensure utilization of grant coding for budget and grant ID In partnership with CSIO, ensure that all requirement of beneficiary agreements are adhered to through grant management process Lead the research department by partnering with CEO, CSIO, Chief Science Advisor and research team members to ensure all research goals are met or exceeded Set goals for research team and manage performance against goals Partner with research team to co-lead and attend SAB meetings and sub-committee meetings to track strategies, action items, attendees etc. Participate and present to SAB and sub-committee when relevant Other SAB and Board-related tasks as assigned; including but not limited to producing agenda, slide decks and pre-materials 4.Other duties and special projects as assigned 10%
Support Curebound Connects, Concert for Cures, Padres Pedal the Cause, and other Curebound community events Special projects as assigned REQUISITE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 5-7 years experience in life science, medical research, public health, and/or program impact Strong project management skills and experience needed to simultaneously manage and report on concurrent projects with up to $10 million in annual budget allocation Master's or PhD in Public Health or Life Science related field Experience with commonly known research grant terminology, biotech or life science business models Knowledge of the cancer, San Diego and research landscape and community Computational skills in analyzing complex data sets, identifying trends, and deriving critical insights essential for informed decision-making in research and program development. Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex research concepts to a lay and scientific audience Proven ability to conceive and actualize ambitious, innovative ideas that contribute significantly to advancing Curebound's mission in combatting cancer. Proficiency in organizational skills to structure and streamline processes, ensuring efficiency and productivity within the research department. Capability to assimilate diverse perspectives and ideas from various sources, synthesizing them into cohesive and comprehensive plans and concepts vital for program development. KEY TRAITS AND QUALITIES Highly attentive to detail Effective communicator A solution-focused problem solver Passion for the Curebound mission and community Highly professional for internal and external audiences Entrepreneurial spirit with an interest in organizational building Analytical, organized, and driven by accomplishing goals Proactively anticipates needs of the organization regarding cancer research and works strategically to get ahead of the needs Team player with a high comfort level operating autonomously and independently Ability to manage up, down, across and all around Goal-oriented and willing to go above and beyond to achieve goals WORKING HOURS Monday-Friday, 9a-5p 40 hours per week with extra hours as needed during key deadlines Occasional evening research-focused events Occasional weekend community building events  *To complete your application, please provide resume and cover letter to .