Sr. Supervisor, Grant Management Specialist

Role Summary:

The Pfizer External Research & Grants (ER&G) program, aligned with Pfizer business interests, allows for the support of independent research, and dissemination of emerging science to close knowledge and practice gaps, while helping to build the capabilities of healthcare systems to plan for and manage change.

The Grant Management Specialist (GMS) works as part of a highly matrixed team, interacting with team members within External Research & Grants (ER&G) and Medical Operations Platform Services, as well as with stakeholders from inside and outside of the company to ensure all grants are processed and managed in an effective and compliant manner. The main responsibilities in this role include 1) Manage the drug supply responsibilities for all research grants 2) Manage the grant system user access roles 3) Serve as escalation point of contact within ER&G for operational queries that arise related to Independent Medical Grants (IMGs) 4) Manage the global competitive grant programs 5) Partner with ER&G Grant Officers (GO) to manage daily practice and grant affairs.

In addition to performing the standard Grant Management responsibilities, the GMS may also act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), in conjunction with and under the guidance of a Senior Grant Manager SME, within their assigned subject matter area and is responsible for providing direction and expertise to the team of Grant Managers.

Role Responsibilities:

For all grant /project types (Research, Medical Education, Quality Improvement and Clinical Research Collaborations):

Execution And Delivery

• Facilitate resolution of complex research issues, including drug supply and safety.
• Assist with budget forecasting and tracking of grant payments.
• Assist Grant Officer (GO) with identifying and managing emerging changes and opportunities; driving iterations of the plans collaboratively with the team to make updates in the project schedule.
• Serves as Project Manager for all assigned Competitive Programs.
• Closely monitors grants program to ensure operational efficiency and raises anomalies to GO, including, but not limited to, reviewing monitoring reports and flagging overdue actions.
• Organizing and managing various document repositories and communication/collaboration channels, as needed/requested.

Collaborates with internal and external partners and stakeholders

• Engage with Pfizer Country Office (PCO) and regional colleagues for management of ER&G tactics globally as needed.
• Support internal and external stakeholders in using Pfizer’s grant system and dashboards, including, but not limited to, providing training on system functionality, assisting applicants in troubleshooting issues, etc.
• Facilitate escalation of operational issues with internal stakeholders.

Monitors process and educational needs

• Assists in curriculum development and training in operational strategies and compliance policies.
• Participates in task forces to evaluate and continuously improve processes and systems, as required, and shares best practices.
• Adheres to applicable SOPs, written standards, working practices, and implementation guidelines for the Research Collaboration (RC)/IMG process, as required, and contributes to their development.
• Serves as a trainer for new GMs on policies, procedures, and systems.
• Identifies training opportunities for internal stakeholders including Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, AND/OR Research Unit business(es) and executes training plans, such as reporting Dashboards, grant system, and budget process.

Outcomes Assessment

• Assist GO with Outcomes Assessment by generating customized ad hoc reports of data points not captured in dashboards for both internal and external materials, such as, internal presentations, brochures for external audiences, and reports submitted to regulatory agencies.

Areas Of Support

Global Competitive Grant Program

• Work closely with GOs to set up the timeline for each Request for Proposal (RFP), develop and execute the communication plan.
• Manage the Expert Review Panel: contracting, user access, reviewer instructions, conduct training calls as needed, and schedule review meetings for all competitive grant program types.
• Coordinate with ER&G Communications Lead to plan and execute social media strategy in conjunction with Business Unit (BU) Communications Lead.
• Compile review panel feedback and coordinate with Grant Administrators to disseminate to applicants.
• Assist with review panel meetings.
• Partnership Management:
• Executes collaboration process (e.g., FRF process) and ensures collaborationagreement in place for partner-projects/RFPs. 
• Involved in discussions with new partners/new initiatives from the start.
• Coordinates payments to Partners and Sunshine Act forms distribution/collection.

Drug Supply Process

• Assist in drug related submissions and queries globally for research grants.
• Provide key input in review process for clinical research, giving feedback to teams related to availability/feasibility of providing drug supply as requested by investigators.
• Issue guidance with GCS and Pfizer Global Supply (PGS) and ensures appropriate documentation is provided to sites for regulatory submission.
• Monitor study milestones and timelines to ensure adequate drug coverage for duration of the research studies.
• Partner with Global Clinical Supply (GCS) colleagues to establish high level supply chain strategies to ensure appropriate supply is available to support investigator sponsored research (ISR) across all Therapeutic Areas.

Grant System Support

• Oversee the process user access request for the Pfizer Grant Management System—review access requests, determine the appropriate level of access required and work with Business Operations to implement.
• Coordinate with stakeholders in ER&G, the grant system vendor, and BT to review the process for system workflow changes/customizations and to manage the logistics for such implementations.
• Work closely with platform integrations team to help document, test, and validate system enhancements
• Provide support in managing financial operations:  budget management, accruals, forecasting.

Safety Point of Contact

• Support with any Safety related queries that arise related to research grants.
• Work closely with internal safety contacts to stay abreast of current policy and procedure as it relates to reporting Serious Adverse Events for research.

Complex Contracting

• Facilitate the contracting process for those that deviate from standard templates. 
• Assist in execution of contracts in a timely and compliant manner

Business Process Optimization

• Work closely with Business Process Owners of relevant SOPs to implement and communicate process updates
• Represent Medical Operations and the role of a Grant Management Specialist on any continuous quality improvement projects related to the ER&G program such as the development and implementation of a new grant system.
• Review and maintain various document repositories and communication/collaboration channels, such as, process guidance documentation, agreement templates, and Teams channels
• Provide support during corporate audits and ensure remediation plan(s) are developed

Other

• Assist GOs and key stakeholders with additional activities, as requested.  Such activities can include, but are not limited to:
• Provide support to GO and RC Leads in the planning process with internal stakeholders including Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, AND/OR Research Unit business(es) to ensure alignment with the overall asset/business development and lifecycle plan.
• Assisting GO with planning, including identifying appropriate Partners/Collaborators and options for execution, risk management, internal/external communication, and stakeholder management strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in a clinical background a plus.
• Minimum 4 years overall experience & at least 3 years in Pfizer WRMD/GPD.
• Proficient in English; strong oral and written English communication skills are essential.
• Experience in Independent research, quality improvement, Continuing Medical Education, Continuing Education and/or Continuing Professional Development and global experience.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of Pfizer’s independent grants process and/or research collaboration processes and programs is preferrable, have knowledge of applicable global regulations/guidelines.
• Strong knowledge of relevant Pfizer Therapeutic Area(s), subject matter expertise in grants, collaborations and partnerships, and international experience are desirable.
• Capable of working independently on multiple projects with ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working in a multidisciplinary, matrix team situation, and demonstrated ability to manage change and diversity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Effective verbal and written communication skills in relating to colleagues and associates both inside and outside the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills, consulting skills; trusted advisor; healthcare education/quality improvementexpertise; political savvy; problem solving; process management
• Commitment to process improvement

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid

Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates.

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