Director System Research Planning & Performance, Research and Sponsored Programs

Position: Director, System Research Planning & Performance

Department: Research and Sponsored Programs

Schedule: 40 hours, Remote

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, System Research Planning and Performance serves as the strategic engine for research planning across Boston Medical Center Health System, responsible for defining enterprise research priorities, developing growth strategies, and shaping executive-level decision-making related to research expansion, clinical trials, financial performance, and operating model evolution. This role has system-wide scope and significant impact on organizational strategy, resource allocation, and long-term research growth.

Acting as an internal strategy lead for research, this individual develops strategic narratives, business cases, and executive-level materials that inform institutional direction and investment decisions, translating complex operational, financial, and stakeholder inputs into clear strategic options and recommendations for senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
This role operates as a player-coach strategy lead, combining structured problem solving, rigorous analysis, and executive storytelling with the ability to independently lead ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives from concept through recommendation with minimal supervision, while influencing without direct authority.

In close partnership with the Director of Research Governance & Transformation, this role ensures strategic direction is clearly defined and positioned for execution, while maintaining primary ownership of strategy development, prioritization, and decision support, and may provide guidance or informal leadership to project teams or analysts in support of strategic initiatives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and evolve the enterprise research strategy across the Health System, including clinical trials growth, research portfolio optimization, and financial performance improvement.

• Identify and prioritize strategic opportunities aligned with institutional goals and market positioning on an ongoing basis.

• Develop enterprise-level strategic roadmaps and actionable options for senior leadership consideration.

• Lead the development of business cases, strategic options, and investment frameworks to inform executive decision-making.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Chief Scientific Officer, Executive Director, and senior leadership on high-impact initiatives.

• Translate complex institutional questions into clear, decision-oriented recommendations.

• Conduct structured analyses of research operations, funding trends, financial performance, and governance models to inform strategic decisions.

• Synthesize complex datasets and stakeholder inputs into clear, actionable insights and implications.

• Identify and evaluate risks, trade-offs, and opportunities across the research enterprise.

• Lead the development of executive-level presentations and materials for the Chief Scientific Officer, Senior Leadership Committee (SLC), and other governance forums.

• Translate complex and ambiguous topics into clear, concise, and compelling strategic narratives for executive audiences.

• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and clarity of messaging across all research strategy communications.

• Lead structured problem-solving sessions and stakeholder engagements across research administration, clinical operations, compliance, finance, and academic departments.

• Align diverse stakeholder perspectives into cohesive, enterprise-level strategic recommendations.

• Navigate highly matrixed and ambiguous environments to drive alignment without direct authority.

• Partner with the Director of Research Governance & Transformation to ensure strategies are positioned for effective execution.

• Provide strategic clarity, prioritization, and framing for initiatives transitioning into execution phases.

• Maintain clear separation between strategy ownership and execution accountability across initiatives.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Advanced degree (e.g., PhD, MBA, MPH, MHA, or related field) required

EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree (e.g., PhD, MBA, MPH, MHA, or related field) required

• Minimum of 5–10 years of professional experience in healthcare, strategy, or a related field

• At least 2 years of experience in management consulting

• Demonstrated experience supporting strategic initiatives, analyses, or decision-making processes

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Exceptional structured thinking and problem-solving skills, including hypothesis-driven and MECE approaches

• Advanced executive communication, storytelling, and presentation skills

• Ability to translate ambiguity into clear frameworks, strategic options, and actionable recommendations

• Strong analytical capabilities, including financial modeling, operational analysis, and data synthesis

• High level of ownership, independence, and intellectual curiosity

• Ability to influence and drive alignment without direct authority across complex, matrixed stakeholder environments

JOB BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay
• Tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs
• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Career Advancement/Professional Development: Access a wealth of ongoing training and development opportunities that will not only enhance your skills but also expand your knowledge base especially for individuals pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research.
• Pioneering Research: Engage in groundbreaking research projects that are driving the forefront of biomedical science.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being.

NOTE : This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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