Michael Smith Health Research BC: Program Manager, Clinical Trials BC

Michael Smith Health Research BC

Michael Smith Health Research BC, funded by the Government of British Columbia, is BC’s health research agency. We strengthen the province’s health research system by supporting the people, institutions and activities that generate and use research-based knowledge to promote, restore and maintain the health of British Columbians. Our ambition is to inspire and connect curious, creative and passionate minds to drive discovery and innovation in health research. And we’re driven by the belief that health-related decision making should be informed by high quality research produced in an equitable, diverse and inclusive research system.

We are a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about each other and our work. We believe in embracing diversity as a strength and core value, creating spaces that are inclusive of all peoples, and are grounded in our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and respect for Indigenous self-determination. We value and support a diverse workforce, reflective of different backgrounds, skillsets, perspectives and life experiences.

Our benefits package includes a pension plan, generous dental and health insurance and a wellness allowance; our professional development policy supports learning and growth.

We have a hybrid work model. When you are in the office, our beautiful space offers views of False Creek, an outdoor patio (think summer BBQs!) and a fitness centre, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and other amenities. Our social committee, Team Good Times, organizes events throughout the year.

If you are looking for meaningful work in a supportive environment, and you are inspired by making a difference in BC’s exceptional health research community, read on to learn more.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Clinical Trials BC, the Program Manager is responsible for facilitating success of the Health Research BC’s Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) provincial program. Including development and support of operations and coordination of projects to meet the program goals and objectives.

The Program Manager works closely with the Senior Manager, Clinical Trials BC, and key partners such as teams of Health Research BC, provincial and regional health authorities, and vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Works with the Senior Manager, Clinical Trials BC, vendors, and senior research leadership at the participating organizations (e.g. health authorities) to help define program scope, goals, and deliverables.
• Leads daily program management activities, including but not limited to developing and maintaining operational documents, managing meetings and communication, processing invoices, managing vendors, providing support to participating organizations, and managing contracts and agreements.
• Proactively identifies program inefficiencies, risks, and issues, escalating as necessary to enable quick resolution.
• Provides input into and coordinates the annual budgeting and operational activities.
• Supports and provides guidance to the Optimization Specialist on activities pertaining to the provincial CTMS program.
• Chairs the administrative lead meetings and supports the program Advisory Committee
• Assists with defining and recording performance metrics of the CTMS program.
• Monitors and reports on CTMS program deliverables, progress, and milestones
• Contributes to planning and overseeing CTMS platform enhancement projects, including selecting and managing vendors, developing, and monitoring budgets, implementation, and deployment plans.
• Develops, implements, and monitors the CTMS program change request process.
• Assists in developing communication strategies, plans and related activities.
• Creates content for communications and promotional materials.
• May support other programs and projects within Health Research BC when need and capacity permit.

Relationship Management

• Builds effective relationships with key stakeholders, interested groups and the clinical trial community across BC to facilitate program success.
• Champions the CTMS and raises awareness of its importance and potential through networking, presentations, and provision of resources.
• Develops and maintains a community of practice involving regular meeting opportunities and access to key program documents (e.g. forms, processes, reports, etc.)

Quality and Information Management

• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and guidelines as required to support provincial CTMS program activities at Health Research BC.
• Oversees and maintains system enterprise-level set-up and information management as per SOPs, applicable regulations, and best practices.
• Performs regular quality checks and audits as per quality management plan and SOPs.
• Creates and maintains support documentation needed by participating organizations (e.g. training documents, glossary of terms, user management and audit forms, etc.)
• Manages and triages technical support requests and information management queries from participating organizations.
• Maintains a register of all applicable vendors, participating organizations, advisory committee, senior research leadership, and administrative lead members and related information available to all participating organizations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, or a related discipline.
• Minimum seven years of experience working in project management, clinical data management and/or clinical trial conduct in a complex working environment dealing with multiple stakeholder groups. Experience in program management is considered a strong asset.
• Experience working with clinical trial sites and researchers within the health authorities and proven ability for effective stakeholder engagement is preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of clinical data management software systems and troubleshooting activities. Prior experience with a CTMS considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of research guidelines, Good Clinical Data Management Practices, clinical trial regulations, and data privacy principles in research.
• Strong research data management, vendor management, information management, and project management skills and experience.
• Strong verbal, written and electronic communications skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with Health Research BC colleagues, as well as a wide and diverse range of external stakeholders.
• Proactively self-directed with the ability to organize, establish and manage priorities and workflow, work and think independently, complete multiple tasks, problem-solve, and deliver results without direct supervision.
• Ability to deal with stressful, sensitive, and difficult situations with tact and diplomacy, including the ability to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a high performance, high standards culture, high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous reconciliation; training and/or experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion and/or Indigenous cultural safety an asset.

How to Apply 

If this sounds like you and you would like to play a role in maximizing the impact of health research in BC, please submit your resume and cover letter online at healthresearchbc.ca/about/careers/.  We thank everyone for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.