Director, Regulatory Science and Policy

Job Category:            Full-Time /Exempt

Division:                     Science Policy & Government Relations

Location:                    1401 H. Street NW, Washington, DC

Reports To:                Chief Policy Officer/Vice President, Science Policy and Government  Affairs

About the American Association for Cancer Research

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes 47,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 127 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops—the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting, with more than 100,000 attendees for the 2020 virtual meetings and more than 22,500 attendees for past in-person meetings. In addition, the AACR publishes nine prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the AACR Chief Policy Officer/Vice President, Science Policy and Government Affairs, the Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will provide expertise and support to AACR leaders, the Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee and its Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee, and the broader advocacy community on regulatory science and policy-related issues and cross-cutting activities to further the goals of the AACR’s Strategic Plan and policy priorities.

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will manage a team of staff members and play a central role in the success of the AACR’s work in this important area.  He/she will guide the AACR’s regulatory science and policy programs and activities and bring them to a productive conclusion. Such activities are designed to create and strengthen the dialogue among policymakers on Capitol Hill and at the FDA, scientists, and advocates, as well as to provide expert support to policies that advance safe and effective therapies for patients with cancer, including those in support of our mission: to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy and advocacy, and funding for cancer research.

This professional will provide expertise on regulatory science and policy issues that are important to the AACR and the cancer field.  He/she will demonstrate innovation, take initiative in the development and execution of projects, and oversee project management, committee support, and consensus building among stakeholders. Responsibilities include monitoring, researching, and analyzing regulatory science and policy initiatives in AACR priority areas; developing policy statements; compiling background information; attending and summarizing the proceedings of relevant meetings and events; serving as the primary liaison to the Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee; collaborating with outside entities; keeping abreast of such activities of international regulatory agencies; working with the FDA on initiatives, such as the AACR-FDA Regulatory Science and Policy Fellowship; and overseeing a wide array of relevant tasks and assignments that will advance the AACR’s mission.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will work with the AACR on regulatory science and policy initiatives and implement a range of important regulatory science and policy programs and activities related to the AACR’s mission. The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will help develop and advance the AACR’s regulatory science and policy efforts through conferences, educational workshops, and other mechanisms, including:

• Coordinate FDA-AACR Co-sponsored Workshops

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will serve as the point person with the FDA on FDA-AACR Co-sponsored Workshops.           

Oversee Regulatory Science and Policy-related Events at the AACR Annual Meeting

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will oversee certain activities and events at the AACR Annual Meeting, including:

1. Major symposia and mini-symposia
2. Roundtable events:
3. Special Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee meeting with the FDA
4. Closed Door Meetings between AACR, FDA, and other stakeholders
5. Meetings between the AACR, FDA, and Patient Advocates

Facilitate Outreach to FDA via Draft and Final FDA Guidance

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will help develop comments for the various FDA draft or final guidance that are issued.

1. Research and analyze the issues put forth in the guidance and identify specific areas of interest or concern to AACR members.
2. Coordinate communications directly with the FDA to better understand where they are seeking public feedback for draft/final guidance.
3. Function as the Primary Liaison to the AACR’s Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will coordinate with the AACR’s Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee on important topics and suggest innovative approaches to ensure that the AACR maintains its position as the authoritative voice on regulatory science and policy-related issues.

Submit Summaries, Position Papers, Policy Statements, and Issue Briefs on Regulatory Science and Policy-related Issues

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy serves as the point person on regulatory science and policy-related issues, including preparing and providing summaries, drafting scholarly and position papers, issuing briefs, developing policy statements and other related documents, and organizing sessions that include a regulatory science and policy focus at numerous AACR-sponsored meetings and events throughout the year.

The Director, Regulatory Science and Policy will also work collaboratively with others in the AACR DC office, such as the Director, Science Policy and Legislative Affairs and the Director, Strategic Patient Advocacy and Engagement, on the policy-related issues that are cross-cutting and being addressed by them. 

Position Requirements:

• PhD, M.D., or other doctoral degree in a science and/or health-related field.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in a cancer science and/or regulatory science and policy-related environment, along with a keen understanding of cancer research and the related sciences.
• Experience in a regulatory science and policy area a plus.
• Knowledge of government policies and procedures, and the political process.
• Proven track record of accomplishments in conceptualizing and implementing complex policy projects.
• Superb written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• High degree of judgment and insight in regulatory issues.
• A self-starter with creativity and initiative.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong strategic thinker with an ability to carry through an initiative and/or project to completion.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in managing a small team.
• A demonstrated ability to analyze complex political and policy issues, build evidence based arguments for policy proposals to the AACR’s approval bodies, and bring conflicting points of view to consensus.
• Ability to interact with VIPs and all levels of management on important policy matters, including the CEO, Board members, committee members, prominent scientists, Administration and Congressional officials, corporate executives, and members of the media.
• Ability to multi-task and work under rapidly developing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate the progress and future needs of regulatory science and cancer research to various constituencies.

How To Apply:

Please submit your cover letter and resume (including salary history) to https://careers-aacr.icims.com/jobs/1178/director%2c-regulatory-science-and-policy/job.

Equal Opportunity Employer