Associate Director, Rare Melanoma Research

MRA seeks an Associate Director, Rare Melanoma Research who can bring their prior experience to lead and expand its Rare Melanoma Research programs, overseeing the scientific strategy, grant-making process, and strategic collaborations specific to rare melanomas. This role will focus on advancing research, treatment innovation and delivery for rare melanomas. The Associate Director will work closely with researchers, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocates and advocacy groups to accelerate progress in diagnosis, treatment, and scientific discovery in rare melanomas. Partnering closely with MRA’s Chief Science Officer, the Associate Director, Rare Melanoma Research develops, implements and manages the Rare Melanoma Consortium, oversees the Rare Melanoma Registry, and oversees grants and investments related to research on rare melanomas. The Associate Director works with a suite of vendors and consultants to help advance the Consortia, Registry, and Grants Program with opportunities to eventually mentor and oversee up to two direct reports. This position is based in Washington DC. MRA requires staff to work on-site at a minimum of two days a week.

Responsibilities

• Scientific Strategy & Research Advancement: Develop and implement MRA’s strategic vision for rare melanoma research. Facilitate the translation of research discoveries into clinical trials and foster academic and industry collaborations to advance novel treatments and technologies. Identify critical gaps and opportunities in rare melanoma research, guiding funding priorities to maximize impact.
• Collaborations & Partnerships: Assist in strengthening MRA partnerships with research institutions, medical oncologists, pharmaceutical and biotech companies to accelerate rare melanoma research. Work with patient advocates and groups to integrate patient perspectives into research priorities.
• MRA Rare Melanoma Consortium: Oversee this consortium, helping drive translational research to more rapidly validate novel targets, novel drugs and treatment approaches, and support multi-site clinical trials. Duties include convening consortium members in routine calls and meetings, engaging with active patient advocate community and carefully monitoring the progress made on all projects associated with the Consortium.
• MRA RARE Melanoma Patient Registry: Oversee MRA’s RARE Melanoma Registry which today includes patient-reported survey data.
• MRA Rare Melanoma Grants Program: Oversee all aspects of grant-making and award management process for proposals and awards focused on any of the rare melanoma subtypes of acral, mucosal, or uveal melanoma.
• Budget and Finance: Support MRA Leadership with operational and budgetary planning around the rare melanoma program and annual audit of the rare melanoma programs and grants processes and procedures.
• Internal and external representation: Represent MRA to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry partners at key scientific conferences (e.g., ASCO, AACR, COOG, Ocular Oncology Group, SITC, SMR, etc.). Serve as liaison with foundations to identify, develop, secure, and manage research co-funding partnerships. Maintain relationships with key constituents including MRA Board of Directors and experts involved in the Grant Review Committee, Scientific Advisory Panel, Medical Advisory Panel, and Dermatology Council.
• MRA cross-team collaboration: Mentor and work closely with the Senior Associate, Registry & Grants Program and the Senior Associate, Grants & Operations. Supervise consultants, interns, and vendors as needed. Work with the MRA Development team and Communications team to maximize awareness of MRA’s scientific programs and provide scientific insight to support their activities.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree required (PhD, MD, MS, MBA, MPH, or equivalent advanced degree with science background) – PhD preferred; Three to five years of work experience post graduate degree completion preferably in the field of cancer biology immunology, or related scientific disciplines.
• Demonstrated self-starter with excellent project management skills, including project design, timely execution, and effective budget management.
• Strong knowledge in at least one of the following areas: rare melanomas, drug discovery and development, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality work products. Ideally, scientific administration experience with a nonprofit organization, public charity, government organization, academic institution, or pharmaceutical corporation is preferred.
• Experience functioning as a strategist and partnering with senior leadership, donors, patient advocates, board members and others.
• Ability to create and drive strategy while being a hands-on implementor.
• Accustomed to working, problem solving and collaborating thoughtfully in a dynamic environment.
• Experience in external relationship management including donor stewardship and partner management.
• Ability to travel, including ~20% overnight travel.
• Successfully complete a security background check.