Associate Director for Quality Assurance

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.

Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

The UNC Department of Pediatrics is recruiting an Associate Director for Quality Assurance to enhance the Department's Pediatric Clinical Research Unit within the Children's Research Institute and to provide high-level direction of new and existing clinical research efforts. This position will work under the direction of the Clinical Trials Director of the PedsCRU and will also work closely with the administrative and scientific directors of the CRI, the UNC DOP central administrative group, and pediatric and adult faculty researchers. This position will work with existing sponsors to maintain long-term relationships and forge new relationships with industry and federal organizations with the intention of growing clinical research performed within Pediatrics at UNC.

The primary purpose of this role is to serve as part of the Leadership Team within the Pediatric Clinical Research Unit with a focus on Quality Assurance within clinical research. The primary responsibility for this role will be the development and oversight of quality initiatives for CRU and Department clinical research coordinators. This role will serve as the subject matter expert and will serve as the point of contact for quality-related initiatives and questions. Responsibilities may also involve expanding clinical research at UNC by building relationships to amass subjects, addressing marketing and public relations with research sponsors of all types to add clinical projects, ensuring quality improvement, optimizing recruitment approaches for diverse studies across various research settings, as well as organizing core resources and staff.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Knowledge and experience working in an academic medical institution and supervision of staff are required. Candidate must be able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences as well as build relationships with a variety of constituents (e.g., industry and government funding representatives, research PIs, study subjects, regulatory personnel, clinical and administrative staff). Candidate must demonstrate the capacity to manage multiple responsibilities effectively and exhibit proven management abilities with an understanding of the culture, policies, and procedures relevant to academic research programs.

Candidates who are Certified Clinical Research Professionals ( CCRP) and have at least five years of experience managing clinical research are preferred. This position is best fit for an individual with: (1) Significant knowledge and direct experience with academic research, including funding mechanisms and opportunities, identifying research study needs, proposal development, protocol development, regulatory and IRB compliance policies, and methods of presentation of research results; (2) familiarity with academic research structures and health care organizations; (3) demonstrated relationship-building skills; (4) strong attention to detail and ability to communicate complicated issues effectively; and (5) the ability to work simultaneously on several activities and handle multiple demands with efficiency and professionalism.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.