Scientific Manager - Applied Cancer Science Institute
Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies: the Therapeutics Discovery Division. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery, with a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics and cellular therapies. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently – all under the same roof.
The Therapeutics Discovery Division is built around four platforms: The Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), ORBIT (Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation), TRACTION (Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology) and the Neurodegeneration Consortium.
The IACS platform is focused on discovering and developing the next generation of small-molecule targeted therapies, driven by the needs we see in our patients. The team aligns world-class drug discovery and development research with the science and clinical care for which MD Anderson is known. We work in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment with a focus on team science and interdisciplinary research. Our unique approach has created a biotech-like engine within the walls of the nation’s leading cancer center to bring life-saving medicines to our patients more quickly and effectively. This model already has achieved results, with multiple programs currently in clinical and late-stage preclinical development.
We are seeking a detail-oriented, self-motivated individual for an IACS scientific project management role. The scientific project manager will play a strategic role in bringing innovative medicine to patients. He/She will be a core member on the IACS R&D portfolio management team that sets strategy and delivers transformative medicines to patients faster and more effectively. He/She will be responsible for partnering with IACS senior leadership and project leaders around project strategy, planning and execution with tasks including: designing project plans and timelines; facilitating project team meetings; tracking action items, delivery on objectives, and resource utilization in reporting systems; and provide proactive operational oversight for all aspects of the IACS small molecules. Projects may be internally resourced programs or part of corporate alliances with external partners.
Essential Functions:
• Support IACS leadership and project teams in project and portfolio management for all IACS, TRACTION and NDC projects overseen by R&D portfolio management team.
• Support project teams in project planning, defining objectives and milestones, and tracking progress, utilizing project management tools to enable high-performing cross-functional teams.
• Track all program objectives, action items, timelines and target dates utilizing project management tools and software, to enable accurate project/portfolio analyses and decision making by IACS senior leadership and R+D portfolio management team.
• Track progress and review project tasks to make certain deadlines are met appropriately. Responsible for communicating changes to the approved plan to leadership.
• Facilitate project and core team meetings, cross-functional communication and decision making, ensuring alignment between project teams, functional areas, internal and external stakeholders, and IACS leadership. Keep track of action-items, and follow up.
• Work with Strategic Industry Ventures to develop project plans and Gantt for partnered projects, and liaise with their counterparts in BioPharma to ensure successful execution of collaborative projects.
• Partner with TDD finance and IACS leadership to ensure resources/budgets are planned, tracked, and managed. This may include tracking resources and expenses for internal and partnered programs.
• Identify, recommend and implement opportunities for streamlining team and business processes.
• Deliver consistent and high quality project management services to enable team and project success.
Education
Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the basic sciences.
Preferred: Master's degree or PhD.
Experience
Required: Seven years relevant research experience to include two years in a supervisory/managerial capacity. With preferred Masters degree, five years of required experience to include two years in a supervisory/managerial capacity and with preferred PhD, three years of required experience to include two years in a supervisory/managerial capacity.
Preferred:
• Prior direct project management experience in drug development with knowledge of the overall drug development process.
• Strategic and analytical thinking skills to assimilate complex information to inform decisions.
• Strong understanding of portfolio management concepts.
• Proficiency with project management practices, tools, and methodology
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to build productive internal/external working relationships with cross-functional teams and key stakeholders, and ability to influence to ensure team performance.
• Excellent analytical skills, and ability to translate strategy into action plans.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proven track record of good decision making and exercising sound judgment.
• Embraces working in a culture where receiving and providing feedback is valued.
• Results and detail-oriented.
• Self-motivated.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
