Associate Director, Public Engagement

The Public and Patient Engagement (PPE) Program ensures that PCORI’s unique, patient-centered, and stakeholder driven approach to comparative clinical effectiveness research not only shapes the research we fund, but also influences the culture of research more broadly. The Associate Director is a key leader on the Public and Patient Engagement Program  and works across the organization to ensure the meaningful engagement of patients, families, caregivers, and the broader healthcare community.

Under the direction of the Director, Public and Patient Engagement, the Associate Director is responsible for strategic planning, decision-making and high-level management of public engagement program activities that advance PCORI’s Engagement mission. The primary responsibilities include developing and managing relationships with stakeholder communities and community-based organizations; providing intellectual and organizational leadership in the engagement of stakeholder communities through a variety of proven and innovative approaches or activities; evaluating program activities and PCORI’s award portfolio to provide strategic advice on engagement opportunities; translating information to different stakeholder audiences; and, developing innovative approaches to receive and use public input at PCORI.

For the purposes of this job description, engagement is defined as broad involvement of patients, family and caregivers, clinicians, payers/insurers, purchasers/employers, hospitals/health systems, and other members of the public as individual communities or as members of interdisciplinary teams participating in the planning, conduct, dissemination, and implementation of comparative clinical effectiveness research.

Responsibilities

Public and Patient Engagement Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison to PCORI constituencies, responsible for regular communication with communities and stakeholder organizations through a variety of mechanisms, identifying needs and priorities collecting and synthesizing input to inform PCORI activities.
• Lead and organize large convenings and forums, for payers, clinicians, patients and caregivers, and other stakeholders, as well as ongoing forums.
• Establish transparent processes to solicit and obtain feedback on PCORI priorities, research, results, and dissemination and implementation plans.
• Translate and communicate the state of PCORI’s work as it evolves to different audiences with unique expertise and priorities.
• Obtain, synthesize, and facilitate representation of the views of stakeholder communities to the PCORI governance panels, advisory panels, and , internal PCORI audiences
• Provide strategy and leadership in the development, maintenance, and support of stakeholder networks using appropriate approaches and modalities to capture and incorporate the perspectives of stakeholders into PCORI strategic plan and all programmatic activities.
• Assists Program Director in identifying and implementing strategic objectives and directions for program and implementing strategic practices to ensure meaningful engagement in PCORI funded research.
• Collaborates across PCORI in implementing matrixed and program activities.
• Provide strategy and leadership in the development of discussion forums and other events that afford interaction of stakeholders with PCORI representatives, including the Board of Governors, and other stakeholders.
• Manage staff and actively participate in the collaboration of PCORI staff, contractors, and other colleagues in studying, evaluating, and improving the processes used by PCORI in engaging stakeholder communities.

Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions

• Represent, and support colleagues in the representation of PCORI publicly regarding the organization’s mission and purpose, public and patient engagement, PCORI programs and interests, PCORI’s funding opportunities, and PCORI generally.

• Lead, contribute to, and participate in internal groups and teams and matrix or other crosscutting initiatives.

• Lead, contribute to, and participate as a subject matter expert in internal groups and teams, functions, and cross-cutting initiatives.
• Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance patient-centered outcomes research and stakeholder engagement expertise.
• Collaborate with colleagues from teams across PCORI.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills

• Close knowledge of key PCORI stakeholder groups, payers/insurers, purchasers/employers, clinicians patients and caregivers, etc.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus, and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, diplomatic, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management
• Broad knowledge of health care, policy, organization and structure of health care systems organization, and payment policies, and research issues.
• Broad knowledge and appreciation of comparative clinical effectiveness research, patient-centeredness and patient/stakeholder engagement science and practice.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public presentations, negotiation, facilitation, and mediation.
• Ability to absorb/synthesize a broad range of technical information.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects and objectives, lead projects, and work effectively and collaboratively with others internally to produce positive results.
• Proven demonstration of the ability to lead and develop a team of professionals and successful internal and external collaborative partnerships.
• Ability to identify and efficiently utilize internal resources for maximum impact.
• A strong desire to continually improve and undertake new challenges, with a commitment to excellence.
• A strong sense of accountability with high ethical standards.
• Proficient utilizing relevant computer software programs, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and CRM systems.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with advanced degree in a healthcare or social science, public policy discipline (e.g. education/health education, healthcare management, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, public policy, psychology, political science, sociology, or related disciplines) preferred
• Familiarity with comparative clinical effectiveness research
• Experience in leading and managing a variety of formats of meetings, convenings, and forums for public and patient input into research
• 10+ years’ progressive experience and demonstrated success in stakeholder representation, coalition building, grassroots organizing, or policy in health related sectors
• Training or extensive experience in communication with multiple and diverse communities.
• Experience working with governing boards, committees and advisory panels
• Familiarity with evaluation and research methods, budgeting, Excel, and Salesforce highly desirable

Desired Skills/Experience

• Experience in federal and state public policy environment
• Experience in a multi-stakeholder professional l environment
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and position levels, serving as a conduit and translator of information.
• Experience in a highly matrixed organization and role.
• Experience establishing innovative processes and approaches to gather input.
• Experience translating information to different audiences with unique expertise and priorities.
• Ability to develop tools and guidance to support engagement.

Application Process

Click here to apply

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority. As part of that commitment, PCORI requires all employees, regardless of remote work status, to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or new employee at PCORI, you will be required to comply with PCORI’s vaccination policy, report your vaccination status, and provide proof of vaccination. Compliance with the policy does allow for exceptions, but those exceptions will only be granted in circumstances related to medical conditions, disabilities, and sincerely held religious beliefs. Continuing with this application indicates your intent to comply with PCORI’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.

PCORI’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity both internal and external to the workplace. You can learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Date Posted

02/16/2023

About the Organization

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.