Job Description

About Damon Runyon

For nearly 80 years, Damon Runyon has been identifying brave and bold scientists early in their careers and providing them with the resources to make the next breakthroughs in cancer research. Our strategy ensures that the most brilliant, creative, and audacious scientific minds are singularly focused on this goal. Damon Runyon’s eight award programs are targeted to have the greatest impact on cancer research. We foster new generations of elite scientists and fill gaps in traditional research funding that threaten future breakthroughs. 

Position Summary 

The Damon Runyon Award Programs Assistant Director will oversee the full lifecycle of eight highly competitive cancer research award programs, working closely with the Scientific Director and the Award Programs team to manage applications, peer review, and post-award administration. Additionally, the Damon Runyon Award Programs Assistant Director will serve as the primary point of contact for applicants and reviewers, coordinate selection meetings, and ensure accurate reporting to scientific committees and Damon Runyon’s Board of Directors. This position also coordinates project tracking, award compliance, program communications, and continuous improvement of grant management workflows.  

Key Responsibilities

Award Programs Administration 

• Along with the Scientific Director and Award Programs team, oversee the full lifecycle of eight competitive Award Programs: design/improve application workflows, manage application submissions through Proposal Central, track reviewers’ assignments and deadlines, coordinate award notices, and maintain grant databases and records.  
• Serve as the primary contact for applicants, providing clear guidance on application requirements, eligibility, and timelines. 
• Update application materials including forms and website materials related to Award Programs applications and FAQs.  

Meeting Management 

• Plan and manage Award selection meetings: notify and confirm reviewer participation, draft and circulate meeting materials in advance, provide reviewer orientation and scoring guidance (if needed).  
• Facilitate virtual and in-person review meetings: manage agenda with input from the Scientific Director and Award Programs team, record meeting minutes outcomes, and produce meeting summaries for leadership.  
• Work with the Scientific Director and Award Programs team to create annual reports and evaluations related to individual Award Programs that will be shared with Damon Runyon Scientific Committees and the Board of Directors. 

Award Programs Portfolio Management  

• Monitor progress of funded projects, track milestones and deliverables, and coordinate routine programmatic progress reporting with the help of the Award Programs team.  
• Collaborate with the Award Programs team to ensure accurate budgets, draft award letters, and manage post-award compliance. 
• Support internal and external communications by updating, copyediting, and coordinating the dissemination of press releases, publications, newsletters, and other digital communications to our scientists.  

Workflow Implementation 

• Maintain and refine standard operating procedures to increase efficiency of processes related to the management of Award Programs. For example, implement upgrades to our grants management platform and tracking software to improve efficiency.  
• Draft program communications (guidelines, FAQs, reviewer instructions, public award announcements). 

Event Logistics 

• With support from the Scientific Director and Award Programs team, help coordinate two annual external scientific events. These duties include drafting and sending invitations, managing the attendee lists, scheduling, booking venues, AV preparation, and day of logistics.  
• There is a requirement to work some nights and weekends along with several days of travel to attend these events in person. 

Qualifications

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree (science, public health, or related field) and at least 5 years of experience in grants administration, research program management, or related roles in a nonprofit, academic, or government setting.  
• Demonstrated experience organizing/leading peer-review style meetings or committees, including managing reviewer recruitment and meeting logistics. 
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to work collaboratively with academic and industry scientists, physician-scientists, and clinicians.  
• Proficiency with common office and grants management systems (e.g., Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, SharePoint, Google Drive, Adobe, Drupal (or other website CMS), Bloomerang (or other CRM databases), Proposal Central (or other grants management databases)). 

Preferred 

• Advanced degree (MS, MPH, PhD, MD) and at least 2 years of work experience post-degree in a professional setting.  
• Prior experience at a grant-giving nonprofit organization focused on science/human health or academic institution. 
• Familiarity with peer-review structure, scoring criteria, and reviewer orientation best practices.  

Salary Range will be $85,000 – $110,000, commensurate with education and experience. Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, relevant work experience, and demonstrated level of autonomy in managing processes related to grants administration. 

Please send a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in this position and resume to Megan Allen, PhD, Scientific Director, at jobs@damonrunyon.org.

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.