Scientific Program Manager, AACR Project GENIE

Overview

About the ProjectAACR Project Genomics, Evidence, Neoplasia, Information, Exchange (GENIE) is an open-source, international, pancancer registry of real-world data assembled through data sharing between 18 of the leading cancer centers in the world. Through the efforts of strategic partners Sage Bionetworks and cBioPortal, the registry aggregates, harmonizes, and links clinical-grade, next-generation cancer genomic sequencing data with clinical outcomes obtained during routine medical practice from cancer patients treated at these institutions with the goal of improving clinical decision making and catalyzing clinical and translational research (www.aacr.org/genie).

SummaryThe AACR Project GENIE Coordinating Center (GCC) is seeking a dynamic and highly organized scientist, clinical researcher, or epidemiologist with program or project management experience to lead and expand a portfolio of clinical research initiatives. This position will oversee both the implementation of new studies and the management of existing projects that leverage and enhance the GENIE infrastructure. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of scientific acumen and operational expertise, with demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. They will be comfortable engaging with diverse audiences —including technical experts, external collaborators, and senior leadership—while independently driving work forward in fast-paced, collaborative environments. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate a customer-facing mindset, attention to detail, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality outputs on time.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates closely with the GCC Business Development team and external stakeholders to scope, plan, and deliver clinico-genomic research and infrastructure projects.
• Partners with the GCC Project Management Office (PMO) to lead the organization, initiation, execution, and delivery of a portfolio of clinico-genomic and infrastructure projects.
• Engages with data providers, strategic collaborators, project sponsors, and internal teams to facilitate the efficient identification, aggregation, and availability of datasets necessary to support new and existing projects.
• Develops, maintains, and updates key project documentation (standard operating procedures, project plan, data guides, etc.), as necessary.
• Supports the preparation and distribution of project-related communications to participants, strategic partners, and sponsors.
• Contributes to the creation of external-facing communications and reporting related to project activities and milestones.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Tasks

• Facilitates project scoping, organization, and execution through collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Conducts project risk assessments and implements mitigation strategies to ensure timely and successful project delivery.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of all project documentation (SOPs, project plan, data guides, etc.) as well as maintenance of the project website and related infrastructure.
• Develops, manages, and executes project communication plans, ensuring clear coordination among stakeholders.
• Uses project management platforms (e.g., Smartsheet) to track progress, assign tasks, and maintain timelines.
• Develops agendas, meeting materials, and presentation decks; documents and distributes meeting minutes and action items.
• Coordinates cross-functional input for the development of external project communications.
• Conducts onboarding sessions and provides training for project team members.
• Ensures compliance with data governance policies and creates or refines procedures in coordination with internal and external compliance officers.
• Oversees project completion activities, including documentation archiving, final reporting, and capturing lessons learned.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, MS, or equivalent in a relevant field such as health informatics, epidemiology, population health, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline, with demonstrated knowledge of cancer genomics or molecular oncology.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience managing complex, large-scale scientific or clinical projects involving multiple departments or institutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including scientific collaborators, industry sponsors, technical teams, and senior leadership.
• Proactive, self-motivated, self-directed, and detail-oriented with strong critical thinking skills and a data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workflows while meeting deadlines.
• Competence in using modern project management platforms (e.g., Smartsheet) to track and deliver outcomes.
• Familiarity with MS Office and other standard software.