Assistant Research Director, Margolis Institute for Health Policy - Hybrid, Durham NC

Assistant Research Director, Margolis Institute for Health Policy - Hybrid, Durham NC

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

The Robert J. Margolis, MD, Institute for Health Policy at Duke University (Duke-Margolis) seeks to address critical health policy challenges and improve health, health equity, and the value of health care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. The interdisciplinary nature of Duke-Margolis brings together policy experts, researchers, health care professionals, and students from across Duke's schools of medicine, nursing, law, public policy, business, and engineering, and fosters extensive relationships with stakeholders both internal and external. These relationships span foundations, private sector organizations, state and federal governments, and global entities. The Institute fosters excellence, leadership, and scholarship at every level.

Duke-Margolis has an opening for an Assistant Research Director to advance child and family health policy as part of the Institute's Health Care Transformation research team and to serve as the Managing Director for a newly funded prospective initiative focused on improving health and wellbeing among North Carolina's perinatal-to-three population.

This position is responsible for developing major components of research and policy analysis for Duke-Margolis through management of a portfolio of projects within the maternal, child, and family health policy area. The Assistant Research Director provides substantial subject matter leadership in managing the execution of complex research and policy projects within the portfolio, including engagement with high-level government and private-sector entities, as well as community-based organizations.

The position serves as Managing Director for a research-driven, evidence-based initiative dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of birthing parents and young children. This role is responsible for leading and operationalizing child and family health policy efforts, guiding the strategic direction and execution of the program, and managing a multidisciplinary team of scientific experts. Funded by a philanthropic gift, the program will launch with a six-month planning phase in close collaboration with state and community leaders, as well as families. The goal of this phase is to develop a comprehensive, 10-year implementation plan set to begin in 2026.

This worksite for this role is in Durham, NC. Employees are currently working in a hybrid capacity with a combination of teleworking locally to the base office area (NC) and in-person team collaboration.

Lead a content-specific portfolio of research and policy projects at the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy. Plan and manage the execution the portfolio with responsibility for project timelines, budgets, financial management, and contractual obligations; develop and monitor staffing plans to ensure successful project completion.

Provide substantial subject matter expertise in specialized areas of health policy to advance research goals in maternal, child and family health policy. Areas of relevance in the health policy domain may include but are not limited to: health, human services and childrens social welfare systems transformation, health care delivery and payment reform, health equity, and the intersection of scientific and regulatory advancement with broader US health policy reforms.

Contribute substantial expertise and skill in planning research, designing and conducting qualitative and/or quantitative analyses, and writing for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Provide guidance to research teams' work in research, outlining, drafting, and editing of project materials. Ensure quality, accuracy, and clarity of project deliverables.

Interact with internal and external collaborators including government agencies, research and/or policy organizations, community-based organizations, patient and family advocates, and health systems to gather and disseminate information and to build and expand working relationships.

Collaborate with principal investigators, senior researchers, faculty, and external collaborators to write white papers, peer-reviewed publications, policy memos, and other related research and policy deliverables.

Represent Duke-Margolis at events and conferences to disseminate research findings; begin to develop recognition as an expert in the portfolio focus area and as a spokesperson for the Institute.

Monitor content areas of significance to the research portfolio, remaining up-to-date on current developments and identifying areas of potential collaboration or synergy within the Institute and with external partners.

Develop strategic plans for project-related convening events (e.g., expert roundtables, workshops, conference panels, seminars, large-scale public events), including identification of proposed speakers or panelists, content, work plans, and meetings. Oversee implementation and execution.

Track and manage progress to achieve project milestones, deliverables, and timeline goals through collaboration with colleagues, subcontractors/vendors, and external stakeholders. Coordinate internal and external communication as needed for team projects.

Interact with sponsors to advance project deliverables, ensure productive communication and clarity in expectations, and maintain positive relationships.

Work with project principal investigators, Institute senior researchers, executive leadership, and financial staff to monitor budgets; ensure project staffing and activities are within budget projections and scope, adhere to Duke University policies, and meet contractual obligations. Forecast resource allocation and needs. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

Collaborate with project principal investigators, Institute executive leadership, faculty, and other senior researchers to develop and implement work plans, deliverable content, research agendas, and timelines. Lead execution of work by project teams.

Work collaboratively with Institute and external partner events and communication teams to direct communication strategies, event management and planning, and dissemination activities.

Collaborate with Duke-Margolis leadership to identify and select priority research areas and projects as part of the strategic planning of the Institute.

Recognize and capitalize on project and funding opportunities to build the portfolio; collaborate with Research Directors and the Institute executive team on funder relationship management and business development support.

Liaise with external funders, collaborators, and Duke-Margolis leadership to develop project proposals. Provide project leadership to oversee efforts to identify financial support and prepare grant proposals for the successful development, planning and execution of these projects.

Formulate and organize opportunities for faculty to collaborate on specific research projects.

May contribute to Duke-Margolis educational programs in varied ways, including developing course materials, teaching or guest lecturing, and mentoring interns or Duke students at the graduate or undergraduate levels.

Support and mentor project team members. Guide junior staff in developing an understanding of timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables, and in developing skills and knowledge in area(s) of health policy expertise.

May recruit, manage, and directly supervise staff, including management of personnel functions (hiring, professional development, performance appraisals, promotions).

Minimum Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Typically requires a Master's or higher advanced degree in a field related to the position (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, science, engineering, law, or field directly related to the position).

Experience: With Master's, work requires a minimum of six years of progressive experience in policy/research/data analysis at the international, federal, regional, and/or state level.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Desired Skills

• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Proven competence in effectively leading and managing teams to execute large and/or multiple concurrent research projects.
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, including the ability to transform complicated information into materials that are easy to understand.
• Demonstrated proficiency in policy research, including the ability to synthesize content from a broad range of sources across health, child, and family policy.
• Skill in quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.
• Proven ability to plan and organize content with creativity and attention to detail, customize messaging for specific audiences (technical and non-technical) and appropriately translate complex scientific and/or technical details.
• Specialized experience in areas of health and child and family policy relevant to the position, including familiarity with current trends and applicable regulations.
• Ability to interact professionally and foster positive collaborative relationships with senior-level individuals (e.g., local, state, and national policymakers), stakeholders, community-based organizations, and patient advocates.
• Must exercise good judgement and initiative.
• Must be able to function independently and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with varied responsibilities; able to assess the impact of and respond flexibly to changing conditions.
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