
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - Neuroscience
$106,240 -$159,360
Hybrid - Tucson, AZ USA
ABOUT CRITICAL PATH INSTITUTE (C-PATH)
Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is a nonprofit engaged in the creation of partnerships and innovative processes that improve human health by reducing the time, cost, and risk in developing and approving new therapies. For twenty years, we have partnered with industry and academic experts to advance technologies across the spectrum of medical product development from research to regulatory approval. As a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration and promoting data sharing in the precompetitive space, C-Path has been at the forefront of numerous advances designed to get new treatments to patients quicker. Our continuing success is made possible by a combination of public and private support from those who share our vision to accelerate a path to a healthier world.
The Associate Director (AD) of C-Path's Neuroscience Program supports existing as well as emerging initiatives in these scientific areas throughout the organization. Work may involve any therapeutic area and covers all aspects of drug development: from preclinical through translational efforts and, ultimately, clinical evaluation.
The AD will manage and support the operations and provide strategic input for the Neuroscience Program, as well as act as the primary contact for Neuroscience with the C-Path operations teams. In this role, the AD will provide support to Neuroscience team members as needed for program and consortium-level budgets, define and refine Neuroscience Program policies and procedures to ensure internal alignment on processes to support Neuroscience and individual consortia project plans and goals; ensure alignment with broader C-Path processes, policies, and procedures; and, communicate effectively with all stakeholders, both internal and external. Success in this role will require strong demonstrated skills in the following areas: finance, legal, grant management, personnel development and management, leadership, business development, verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW
Exceptional medical, dental & vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 5% 403(b) company match with an additional 3% company contribution, company-paid benefits (Basic Life/AD&D, STD, LTD), generous PTO, 16 days of paid holiday time, and so much more!
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage and mentor a team of Neuroscience Program Project Coordinators and Project Managers.
CORE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage and support operational excellence for the Neuroscience Program to ensure consistency and alignment with Neuroscience and, more broadly, C-Path operational objectives.
Personnel Management:
Working with Neuroscience Program leadership, ensure equitable and effective project staffing to meet all program objectives.
Coach and mentor project managers and project coordinators to drive continuous improvement of processes both within and external to the Neuroscience Program.
Complete annual and semi-annual performance reviews and actively engage in development of project managers and project coordinators to achieve their professional goals.
Ensure adherence to both Neuroscience Program and C-Path standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Financial Management:
Work with Neuroscience team members on strategic, sustainable financial planning for the Neuroscience Program.
Manage payroll allocations for all Neuroscience Program staff and work with program leadership to forecast allocations as needed. When needed, interface with other internal matrix groups (e.g., Data Collaboration Center, Quantitative Medicine) to ensure proper financial and payroll allocations are managed and tracked.
Support Neuroscience team members as needed with budgeting and finance.
Run financial reports as needed/requested by program leadership to ensure that expenses are properly allocated to funding sources and financial accounts.
As needed, prepare monthly financial reports to support FDA contracts and reporting requirements.
Provide support as needed for grant applications
Work with project managers to develop and track working group financials to keep consolidated view of all income and expense-associated with working group projects.
Review and approve expense reports, via SutiExpense, for PMs and PCs in Neuroscience.
Provide support to PMs and PCs with invoicing procedures as needed.
Provide any additional financial support as needed/requested by Neuroscience Program leadership.
Coordinate monthly Neuroscience meeting with C-Path's Finance team.
Legal Support:
Serve as DocuSign resource for PMs and PCs.
Ensure program members adhere to C-Path's Contracting SOP and provide support as needed.
Provide legal support to PMs and PCs for legal agreements as needed.
Operational management:
Maintain framework to allow for knowledge sharing, project management, and document management across the program.
Provide support and guidance on the use of appropriate tools to achieve program objectives (e.g., monday.com, SharePoint, Teams, Salesforce) while ensuring alignment with C-Path SOPs.
Work with program staff and C-Path central operations/Portfolio Management Office (PMO) to assess and/or plan for new projects considering existing and projected workload of existing staff.
Support project managers as needed in the development of project plans including milestones, budgets, and timelines.
Drive continuous improvement across the program by working with staff to identify and address issues in a way that empowers the team to find and implement the best possible solutions (tools and/or processes) to improve productivity and efficiency while eliminating redundant and/or non-value add tasks.
Serve as point of contact for C-Path operational/systems updates and work with PMs and PCs as needed for implementation.
Ensure all within the Neuroscience Program are informed about and adhere to C-Path policies and procedures.
Work with team members to keep Neuroscience swim lane document current.
Coordinate bi-monthly Neuroscience Program meeting and Neuroscience operations meetings.
Business Development/Strategic Planning
Support Neuroscience Program leadership in developing short- and long-term strategic plans for the Neuroscience Program.
Lead talent/strength mapping for PMs and PCs to drive change and inform decisions.
Represent the program on project strategies, communication plans that support established goals and initiatives.
Aid in the creation of written strategic plans to achieve the objectives outlined in short- and long-term strategic goals.
Establish methods of collecting and tracking data to evaluate performance toward strategic goals.
Plan and facilitate monthly Neuroscience Executive Directors meetings.
Collaborate with EDs on planning annual face-to-face Neuroscience Program meetings.
Support developing strong, positive, professional relationships with stakeholders including the following: regulatory authorities, government agencies, research organizations, funding organizations, foundations, non-profit organizations.
Support preparation of management reports as needed.
Serve as representative of C-Path in various settings as requested.
Occasional travel up to 5-10%
Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrated experience as a personnel manager.
Ability to constructively address and resolve conflict.
Experience with performance evaluation systems and change management principles.
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence people and teams.
Excellent communication, organizational, critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Experience working in and managing within a matrix organization.
Proven experience as a senior-level project or program manager.
Thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods.
Ability to meet target deadlines and manage time effectively.
Ability to exercise sound business judgment when making decisions and adhere to external and internal policies and regulations.
Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment and adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
Ability to anticipate issues or challenges and proactively address without being specifically directed.
Proficient/advanced use and understanding of MS Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat.
Excel - advanced ability to: navigate complex formulas (budgeting), structure and present data, navigate conditional formatting, advanced charting, pivot reporting, and macros.
Word - advanced ability to: customize page layouts, cross references and bookmarks, automating tables, figures, and indexes, inserting dynamic content automatically.
Proficient with project management software (e.g., monday.com, MS Project).
Proficient with use and basic administration/development of SharePoint and/or Teams environments
Ability to understand and use technical information and systems.
Strong negotiation and meeting facilitation skills.
Practice highest level of integrity and core value system consistent with C-Path's Standards of Conduct.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree or 7-10 years professional experience in a related field. Advanced degree (e.g., MS, MBA, MPH), preferred.
Minimum of 7-10 years formal project management experience.
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory/personnel management experience
Project Manager Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification or alternative experience.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.
Reasonable Accommodation:
C-Path complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact C
Background checks are conducted at Critical Path Institute.

Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is an independent, nonprofit established in 2005 as a public-private partnership, in response to the FDA’s Critical Path Initiative. C-Path’s mission is to lead collaborations that advance better treatments for people worldwide. Globally recognized as a pioneer in accelerating drug development, C-Path has established numerous international consortia, programs and initiatives that currently include more than 1,600 scientists and representatives from government and regulatory agencies, academia, patient organizations, disease foundations and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. With dedicated team members located throughout the world, C-Path’s global headquarters is located in Tucson, Arizona and C-Path’s Europe subsidiary is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For more information, visit c-path.org.