Position Purpose s2

POSITION PURPOSE

The Head of Clinical Trial Programs (the Head) is primarily accountable for delivering the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) cancer clinical trials strategy which aims to increase the number of cancer patients on trials across VCCC partners and Victoria.

The clinical trials programs are largely outlined in the VCCC Strategic Research Plan (2016-2020) and have been co-designed with clinical trial leaders and clinicians across the VCCC alliance. The Strategic Research Plan creates a multi-faceted approach to improving the cancer clinical trial landscape in a way that meets the needs of cancer patients and therefore supports greater participation, while also complementing existing initiatives to grow the clinical trial enterprise both at a State and national level.

The Head will manage an innovative suite of programs designed to have significant impact on the cancer clinical trial landscape, focussing on:

·  investigator-initiated trials, focussed on patient needs

·  increasing the breadth of trial types and disciplines

·  workforce development, with the aims of increasing commercial and non-commercial investment in trials

·  enabling a greater range of trials and therefore more patients eligible to participate in trials

The Head will work closely with relevant expert committees and working groups, drawing on expertise and facilitating involvement from within the alliance partners. The Head will also provide operational support for the VCCC Clinical Trial Lead (the Lead), who is responsible for providing clinical trial expertise and leadership to guide the further development and implementation of the VCCC clinical trials programs. This relationship is critical to the collaborative approach required to grow and enhance clinical trials that are at the core of the VCCC’s work.

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CONTEXT

Vision

The vision for the VCCC is to save lives through the integration of cancer research, education and patient care. Founded in the holistic principles of the internationally-recognised Comprehensive Cancer Centre model, the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is a powerful alliance of 10 leading research and clinical institutions with a shared commitment to working together to advance and accelerate cancer research, treatments, preventions and cures.

Operating Environment

The VCCC’s multi-site, multi-disciplinary model brings together the complementary strengths of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health (including The Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Western Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (including St Vincent's Institute), Austin Health (including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Austin Lifesciences) and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

The VCCC has a four-year agreement (2016-2020) with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and implement new and innovative cancer research and treatment programs under an agreed Strategic Research Plan.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Oversight

·  Oversee the development and implementation of the Clinical Trial program portfolio, as outlined in the VCCC Strategic Research Plan

·  Oversee 10 clinical trial programs:

o  support and mentor program managers

o  assist with the preparation of business cases

o  track and report on risks and issues

o  manage budget and timelines

o  report on milestone achievements

·  Manage project support staff, such as Program Managers and Project Managers/Officers, to ensure contributing partner stakeholders are provided with necessary operational support

·  Oversee the collaborative development of program plans and project milestones, with the Executive Director, the Lead, the VCCC Head of Strategic Program Development, Head of Education & Training Development and Head of Research Development

·  Oversee the development of sensible and practical evaluation frameworks and metrics for evaluating the progress and success of programs in conjunction with key internal and external stakeholders

·  Work closely with and provide reports to VCCC expert groups such as:

o  VCCC Cancer Research Advisory Committee (CRAC)

o  VCCC Cancer Education and Training Advisory Committee (CETAC)

o  VCCC Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC)

o  Steering Groups for VCCC Clinical Trial programs

·  Pilot activities and utilise learnings for continuous improvement of programs and to ensure milestones and deliverables are realised

·  Contribute to all program reporting and budget management requirements, including clinical trial program reporting to the government

·  Work within VCCC policies and procedures and assist with other tasks as reasonably required

Leadership

·  As member of the VCCC leadership team, contribute to reporting, strategy review and development, evaluation frameworks and generally collaborating in the daily operations of the VCCC

·  Assist the Executive Director, CRAC and the Board with negotiation of funding contracts and/or variations and development of new business/ programs

·  Support the development of new and revised strategies to secure future funding

·  Strengthen strategic relationships with key service providers and groups such as the Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Cancer Trials Australia, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health, Cancer Council Victoria and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium

·  Contribute to VCCC internal management and staff meetings, leading by example, sharing knowledge and expertise and looking to improve and innovate at every opportunity

·  Participate in the VCCC Performance Planning and Development Review processes, setting objectives, providing regular feedback and coaching program and other support staff

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SELECTION CRITERIA:

Experience

·  Previous experience working with hospital-based or not-for-profit clinical research or clinical trials

·  Understanding of the clinical trial system in Australia, with in-depth experience in and knowledge of clinical trial operations

·  Experience in the development of clinical trial capability and capacity

·  An understanding of key areas of cancer research is highly desirable

·  Experience in overseeing large, complex, multi-stream programs

·  Significant experience managing a team and multiple stakeholders

·  Experience in managing collaborative relationships with senior academics, clinicians and researchers and senior stakeholders in industry and philanthropy

Skills

·  Excellent understanding of program management frameworks and methodologies, with enough experience and skill to adjust processes to problem solve and remove unnecessary complexity

·  Proven ability to evaluate program processes, outputs and outcomes for continuous improvement

·  An understanding of clinical and research governance is desirable

·  Proven ability to think strategically and see the big picture, while also focussing on detail and quality of work

·  Analytical thinking with high-level skills in evidence and data synthesis and interpretation

·  Excellent written and oral communication skills

·  Excellent problem-solving ability

·  Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

Qualifications

·  Bachelor degree in a scientific discipline or a clinical qualification

·  A Masters or PhD in a clinical research or related field is desirable and/or extensive relevant work experience in clinical research, clinical trial or health care field

The Person

·  Leads by example – has a high level of discretion, diplomacy and personal integrity

·  Persuasive, with the ability to positively influence others and build consensus

·  Comfortable in taking the initiative and exercising judgement in resolving matters as they arise

·  Innovative and adaptable in the face of changing organisational priorities and ambiguous environments

·  Articulate and calm in dealing with time demands, incomplete information or unexpected events

·  A self-starter who focusses self and team on the achievement of quality results

·  A willing coach who provides feedback, shares knowledge and naturally supports others

EQUITY & INCLUSION:

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation.

The VCCC makes decisions on employment, engagement, promotion and reward on the basis of merit. We are committed to all aspects of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to providing all staff, contractors, appointees, volunteers and partners with a safe, respectful and rewarding environment. This commitment is set out in more detail in the VCCC Equal Opportunity Policy and Bullying Prevention Policy. All staff and contractors are required to comply with VCCC policies.

TERM:

The tenure of this role is linked to VCCC Strategic Research Plan. Opportunities for appointment beyond mid-2020 will be dependent on renewed funding.

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