Director of Research Grants and Initiatives

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. LRF’s mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $80 million in cancer research.

LRF seeks a Director of Research Grants and Initiatives to lead the Foundation’s Research Department’s funded grants and scientific programs. The manager reports to the Chief Program Officer. Please note that is mandatory for Foundation staff, including this position, to work in the Foundation’s New York City office Tuesday-Thursday; staff may work remotely Mondays and Fridays. The salary range for this role is $100,000.00 – $120,000.00 annually.

Grants Administration Responsibilities

• Directs the LRF scientific grant application, scientific review process and serves as primary contact for Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and prospective SAB candidates.
• Works with Grant Manager and SAB to execute the grant application peer review process, including vetting of application eligibility, preparation and distribution of review assignments, and addressing procedural questions during review.
• Works in conjunction with Chief Program Officer (CPO) and manager on coordinating communication with SAB Leadership and SAB nominations.
• Coordinates grant activation, including sending award letters, preparing contracts, managing interactions with legal council with Chief Program Officer (CPO) and coordinating onboarding materials from grantees.
• Manages grant progress report process, including updating templates and instructions as needed and coordinating report review assignments and distribution with Grant Oversight Committee Chair.
• Serves as primary contact lead for administrative questions about research grants for applicants, grantees, institutional administrators and LRF staff.
• Oversees grant payment processes, including coordinating with Research Program Manager and finance department to set up new payees and initiate payments, as well as troubleshoot payment issues upon request from grantee institutions.
• Works with LRF departments, including, communications, finance, and development, to coordinate grant administration needs, including application launch and advertising as well as grantee onboarding, transfers and closing.
• Manages contract and interacts with proposalCENTRAL support staff regarding online grants management.
• Processes grantee requests including institutional or PI transfers, carry forward, early termination/resignation, and no cost extensions, as well as conducting initial review of concurrent funding, and oversees forwarding these requests to the Grant Oversight Committee for further review as needed.
• Assists in developing standard grants management policies, including documentation and training for necessary staff.
• Handles submission of deliverables and reconciliations to grant corporate sponsors.
• Serves as Lymphoma Research Foundation representative at external conferences and meetings, including Health Research Alliance.
• Oversees operation, program development and logistics for week-long Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP) Workshop, as well as two follow-up programs for each LSRMP class and SAB meetings.
• Supervises Research Program Manager (full time staff) on work across the research portfolio and Grants Program Coordinator (part time contract staff) on grant review responsibilities and other projects as needed.
• Works with CPO to develop Research Department budget and strategic plan, as well as update and implement department policies and processes.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel to LRF programs as needed; some events may cover evening and weekend hours.
• All travel is domestic.
• Ability to lift at least 20 lbs
• Total travel estimated at 15%.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience
• Direct experience managing research grants preferred
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge/Luminate Online, Proposal Central and/or Altmetric a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work on multiple long-term and recurring projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers across LRF departments and provide support to senior staff and organization leadership as requested.
• Ability to lift and move supply boxes during event preparation and execution.
• People who are immune compromised, including people in active treatment for lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, are more likely to become sick with COVID-19 or be sick for a longer time period; to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible, staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Foundation provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision benefits, commuter benefits, 403(b) retirement plan and match, hybrid work environment, etc. Additional details available upon request.