​Associate Director of Research Strategy and Development​

About this role

Department BSD CCC - Administration About the Department The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 200 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $51million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $24 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, marketing andcommunications, fundraising, data analytics, clinical trials management, and community outreach and engagement.

The UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with more than 450 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC's commitment to translating basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early-phase studies. UCCCC opens over 130 new trials each year and accrues approximately 800 participants to therapeutic trials each year. Job Summary ​​The Associate Director of Research Strategy and Development is a senior strategic leader responsible for advancing the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center’s research vision, priorities, and long-term growth. Serving as a key advisor to the Cancer Center’s leadership, including the Director and Executive Director for Cancer Research Administration, this role shapes research strategy, informs institutional planning, and translates scientific ambition into coordinated initiatives, research partnerships, and funding opportunities. The Associate Director integrates strategic analysis, institutional advising, staff leadership, team science, proposal development, and initiative management to strengthen the Cancer Center’s research enterprise and position it for sustained impact and competitiveness.

​Working across basic, translational, clinical, population science, and community-engaged research domains, this position aligns Cancer Center priorities with emerging scientific opportunities and broader institutional goals. The Associate Director serves as a key liaison with the University’s Provost Office of Research Development to advance university-wide research initiatives and ensure alignment between Cancer Center strategy and institutional research priorities. The role also serves on the steering committee of the Therapeutic Discovery Institute and works closely with its Managing Director to advance collaborative opportunities, programmatic growth, and strategic alignment.

In partnership with Foundation and Corporate Relations, Medicine and Biological Sciences Development, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Corporate Engagement Office, the Associate Director helps align funding opportunities with research priorities to support the long-term sustainability of strategic initiatives. Through strategic planning, research development, collaboration-building, project leadership, analytics, and communications, the Associate Director advances the Cancer Center’s mission and research growth.​ Responsibilities ​​Research Strategy and Institutional Planning • ​Partners with Cancer Center leadership to shape, refine, and advance the Center’s research strategy, strategic priorities, and research components of the strategic plan. 

• ​Conducts environmental scans, portfolio analyses, benchmarking, and opportunity assessments to inform institutional planning, priority setting, and program development. 

• ​Translates strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, implementation plans, and cross-functional efforts that strengthen the Cancer Center’s research enterprise. 

• ​Serves as a key liaison with the Provost Office of Research Development to align Cancer Center priorities with broader university research initiatives, cross-institutional opportunities, and strategic investments. 

• ​Represents Cancer Center research priorities in university-wide planning discussions and help position the Center to contribute to and benefit from major institutional collaborations and initiatives. 

• ​Partners with Foundation and Corporate Relations, Medicine and Biological Sciences Development, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Corporate Engagement Office, and other relevant stakeholders across the institution and Biological Sciences Division to align funding opportunities with research priorities and support the long-term sustainability of strategic research initiatives. 

​Strategic Advising and Cross-Institutional Leadership  • ​Serves as a strategic advisor to the Cancer Center leadership, including the Director and Executive Director for Cancer Research Administration, on research priorities, initiative development, and long-range planning. 

• ​Develops briefings, analyses, and recommendations to support executive decision-making and leadership discussions. 

• ​Serves on the steering committee of the Therapeutic Discovery Institute and contributes to its strategic direction, priorities, and sustainability. 

• ​Works closely with the Therapeutic Discovery Institute’s Managing Director to align planning, research development, and programmatic efforts with broader Cancer Center and university priorities. 

• ​Identifies opportunities for coordination and synergy across Cancer Center initiatives and adjacent university research entities. 

​Strategic Research Development and Team Science  • ​Advises faculty and leadership on funding strategy for large-scale and strategically important submissions, includ

Similar jobs

• Associate Director for Research Development — The University of Texas at Austin · UT MAIN CAMPUS
• Associate Director, Research & Insights — Meredith · New York, NY - 225 Liberty Street
• Associate Director, Strategic Development — Johnson & Johnson · Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Remote (US)
• Associate Director, Research Analyst — Franklintempleton · Remote
• Senior Director, Research Programs — Thejacksonlaboratory · New York, New York
• Senior Director, Research and Development — Sharkninjaoperatingllc · Needham, MA, United States
• Associate, Strategy and Development — Loewshotels · NY - New York - Loews Hotels & Co Corporate Office
• Senior Director, Research & Development — Tempus · Chicago