Background

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is the state’s Stem Cell Agency. We were created by the voters of California when they approved Proposition 71 in 2004, and renewed when Proposition 14 was approved in 2020, providing $5.5 billion to invest in stem cell research in California. CIRM’s mission, to accelerate stem cell and regenerative medicine treatments to patients with unmet medical needs, is what drives us to succeed every day.

To meet this challenge, our team of highly trained and experienced professionals actively partners with both academia and industry in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment to fast-track the development of today’s most promising stem cell and regenerative medicine technologies. 

CIRM is the world’s largest institution dedicated to helping people by bringing the promise of regenerative medicine closer to reality. 

General Statement

The mission of the Review Team is to select the highest quality stem cell-based projects for CIRM funding with efficiency and with absolute integrity.

The Associate Director for Review reports to the Vice President of Portfolio Development and Review and is responsible for managing the application review process, maintaining the scientific quality of application review, leading the design of applications and review processes to meet the objectives of each solicitation, tracking the quality of funded projects, managing the communication of outcomes to stakeholders, and engaging subject matter experts in the CIRM mission.

The Associate Director is expected to have expertise and experience in a scientific research discipline, preferably one that relates to stem cells, cellular therapies, or drug or device preclinical and clinical development.

The Associate Director will have an innate sense of urgency and determination to deliver outstanding results and to find innovative ways of meaningfully advancing CIRM's mission.

This position may be tenured as Limited Term for up to 6 months.

Job Functions

In the position you will be accountable for:

Leading the Review Process

• Leading the development and execution of review processes for CIRM’s programs and for funding opportunities developed in collaboration with CIRM funding partners.
• Leading review panel proceedings and documenting outcomes.
• Leading team activities related to a core function such as GMS development or DEI.
• Serving as liaison with external partners to develop collaborative processes.
• Developing concept documents in collaboration with other CIRM teams.
• Presenting review outcomes to the Board.
• Partnering with the Review Project Manager and other team members as necessary to guide the activities needed to successfully execute each review cycle.
• Evaluating and determining eligibility of applications responding to each funding opportunity.
• Selecting and assigning an appropriate set of reviewers to evaluate the scientific merit of each application to be reviewed.
• Developing and presenting program updates for review proceedings.
• Managing the development, implementation, revision, document control, and change control processes of Requests for Applications (RFAs), Program Announcements (PAs), and related materials.
• Tracking the success of funded projects including participation in advisory panels.
• Managing the monitoring and reporting on progress of the review process to all stakeholders.
• Assisting the V.P. of Portfolio Development and Review in guiding and managing team tasks and activities.

Engaging Expert Reviewers

• Identifying, recruiting, and appointing reviewers to an expert panel for each review cycle.
• Liaising and maintaining professional relationships with expert reviewers, patient advocates, and board members to earn their commitment to the CIRM mission and review process.
• Collaborating with external organizations in identifying and recruiting expert reviewers and key opinion leaders for GWG, advisory panels and workshops/conferences.
• Leading the initiation and training of Grants Working Group reviewers.

Communicating Procedures and Outcomes

• Developing instructions and guidance to expert reviewers about program objectives and criteria used to evaluate merit of applications.
• Providing guidance to prospective applicants about the application and review process.
• Drafting, finalizing, and performing quality assessment on written review reports and other communications to applicants and the governing board in a timely manner.
• Collaborating and communicating with other CIRM teams to harmonize process and policies as needed.
• Leading the Grants Management System development process to ensure proper design and implementation of web-based applications, forms, tools, and user interfaces.

Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Review Process

• Designing and refining the review process to adopt best practices in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including PAs/RFAs, applications, scientific review, and review reports.
• Working collaboratively with governing board members, CIRM leadership, and CIRM team members in developing DEI policies and procedures.
• Working collaboratively with CIRM Science Officers on communicating DEI expectations to prospective applicants/grantees.
• Increasing the diversity of our Grants Working Group membership and review panels.

Harmonizing the CIRM Mission

• Demonstrating in your words and actions commitment to CIRM’s mission.
• Collaborating with CIRM team members to generate efficiencies, enhance productivity, and develop competencies.
• Committing to team decisions by supporting and working to achieve team objectives.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Doctorate (PhD, PharmD, MD/DO,) in medicine, biomedical research or a related area with twelve years or more of work experience in a science-related discipline beyond doctoral degree.
• Six years of demonstrated experience leading independent projects/programs (e.g., principal investigator on academic research project or leading function of program(s) at a non-academic organization).
• Four years of experience in a scientific funding environment overseeing funded projects, developing concepts, and/or managing peer review process.
• Strong knowledge of biology, medicine, drug development, regulatory affairs or related discipline that has a direct bearing on stem cell research, gene therapy, and/or cellular therapy.

Desired Skills/Abilities

• Ability to effectively manage, organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to make clear, concise, and impactful presentations.
• Ability to embrace change and a desire to learn.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid environment, required to work two days in the South San Francisco office and three days remotely. In-person attendance of organizational meetings and board, subcommittee, and working group meetings as required.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• 10-20% travel as required.

• Must be willing to work in a high-rise building.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Be available to work outside of normal business hours.

Salary Range 

• The full salary range for the Associate Director, Review is $196,730 – $236,900.

Supervision Received

The Associate Director, Review reports to the Vice President of Portfolio Development and Review.

Supervision Exercised

None

Required Application Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

For any inquiries about the position sent to jobs@cirm.ca.gov, the e-mail should have the position title on the subject line. 

Contact Information

Human Resources Contact: 
Kathie Raftery

Email - jobs@cirm.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for this position to CIRM’s EEO Office.

EEO Officer: Denise D’Angel

• Email:jobs@cirm.ca.gov
• California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Benefits

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Salary and Benefits website.