Executive Director, Banner Alzheimer's Institutes

Banner Health; Arizona; On-site; USD 230,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Health seeks an accomplished leader to steer translational and clinical research in memory and movement disorders. Reporting to the Chief Research Officer, you will shape strategy, secure philanthropic funding, and build collaborations to advance brain health initiatives.

The role requires an MD/PhD with a strong track record in leadership, fundraising, and high-impact neuroscience research. You will guide a world-class scientific organization and oversee multi-site programs and

Qualifications

• MD, PhD, or MD/PhD with specialization in memory and movement disorders research.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible administrative leadership experience in translational and clinical research planning and management.
• Proven track record of high-impact research leadership, innovation, and major publications.

Responsibilities

• Direct translational and clinical research in memory and movement disorders across Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
• Lead strategic planning, budgeting, and operational plans for the organization.
• Develop funding strategies to secure philanthropy, grants, and commercialization opportunities.
• Foster collaborations with Banner Health Foundation, academic partners, and industry to advance research objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Donor relations

Education

MD/PhD

Job description

Primary City/State: Phoenix, Arizona
Department Name: Admin-Rsrch
Work Shift: Day
Job Category: Research

Join a nationally recognized organization at the forefront of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research. As a key member of the research leadership team, you will drive strategy, innovation, and growth across a robust neuroscience portfolio, while building the partnerships, funding mechanisms, and scientific capabilities needed to transform promising discoveries into meaningful clinical advances. This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the future of brain health and neurodegenerative disease treatment.

• Your pay and benefits are important components of your journey at Banner Health.
• This opportunity includes the option to participate in a variety of health, financial, and security benefits.
• In addition, this position may be eligible for our Management Incentive Program as part of your Total Rewards package.

Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) was established in 2006 as Banner Health's first Center of Excellence. Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) was founded in 1986. Our team is uniquely, passionately, and strategically committed to ending Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders without losing another generation, advancing oncology research to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes, and providing an unparalleled model of care for families facing these devastating diseases. Banner Research is committed to improving people's lives through comprehensive patient care and advances that capitalize on the best biomedical research. We intend to make a transformational difference in Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, and oncology research and care.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position, reporting to Banner Health’s Chief Research Officer, develops and implements strategies for all translational and clinical research in memory and movement disorders across Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute. Provides transformational leadership in advancing high-impact research, building a world-class scientific organization, and securing substantial funding through philanthropy, grants, and commercialization opportunities. Works within Banner policies, practices and systems to identify, implement and monitor new opportunities to advance research excellence. Directs the development of short- and long-range objectives, regulatory controls, policies, budgets, and operational plans for the organization. This position plays a leading role in working with Banner Health Foundation for philanthropic endeavors and fostering commercial partnerships to support biomedical research aimed at preventing and treating memory and movement disorders.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Directs and advances transformational translational and clinical research in memory and movement disorders. Establishes strategic research priorities that position the Institute as a national and international leader. Represents Banner Health in collaborative scientific research undertakings with various national, regional and local research entities. Represents the organization to the financial community, industry groups, government and regulatory agencies, and the general public.
2. Leads strategic planning for all research and operational activities ensuring organizational excellence. Establishes and monitors key performance metrics for operational efficiency. Ensures effective identification and recruitment of leading scientific research and executive talent. Develops organizational structure and reporting relationships to optimize goal attainment. Delegates authority appropriately regarding policies, contractual commitments, expenditures and personnel matters.
3. Champions employee development through mentorship, career advancement opportunities, and fostering a culture of innovation. Leads operational and related service functions including human resources, purchasing, grants, and legal, regulatory and governmental compliance activities.
4. Develops and executes comprehensive funding strategies to support the Institute's research mission. Leads efforts to secure substantial philanthropic investments through cultivation of major donors and strategic partnerships with Banner Health Foundation and Banner Alzheimer's Foundation. Drives grant acquisition from federal agencies (NIH, NSF), private foundations, and disease-focused organizations. Identifies and pursues commercialization opportunities including technology transfer, licensing agreements, industry partnerships and spin-off ventures to generate sustainable revenue streams for research advancement.
5. Provides strategic direction to staff through consistent demonstration and articulation of mission, vision, and values. Motivates staff through goal setting and clear communication. Works closely with the Chief Scientific Officer to set organizational direction and briefs directors on pertinent scientific research and operational matters. Oversees all financial and regulatory controls and procedures. Responsible for profit/loss and net proceeds.
6. Fosters collaboration in alignment with Banner Health's overarching strategic direction with other community partners, academic institutions, and industry leaders for advancement of research in memory and movement disorders, including Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium and related neurological disease collaboratives.
7. Strives toward establishing comprehensive care models that work within the strategic goals of Banner Health, utilizing the breadth of Banner delivery assets to achieve excellent access to care for patients with memory and movement disorders. Evaluates and implements models that provide education and care pathways in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach. Seeks new models for comprehensive care with payors that create easy access for patients and families in a fiscally sustainable fashion.
8. This position must exercise independent judgment in providing advice and counsel for AD/ADRD related research and care, including appropriate design, management, administration, and oversight.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. with specialization in a field relevant to memory and movement disorders research (e.g., neurology, neuroscience, psychiatry, gerontology, imaging, genomics, or related disciplines). 10+ years of progressively responsible administrative leadership experience in translational and clinical research planning and management. Must possess an international reputation as a leader in memory and/or movement disorders research with demonstrated track record of: High-Impact Research Leadership: Proven record of leading transformational research programs that have significantly advanced the field of memory and/or movement disorders. Evidence of scientific innovation, major discoveries, and influential publications in top-tier journals. Executive Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading large, complex scientific organizations including strategic planning, organizational development, budget management (multi-million-dollar budgets), operational optimization, team building, and employee development initiatives. Funding Acquisition: Substantial track record of securing major funding through multiple channels including: Success in obtaining large philanthropic gifts and building donor relationships Competitive federal and foundation grant awards (NIH, private foundations) Experience in commercialization activities such as patents, licensing, industry partnerships, or venture creation Must have the ability to develop strong relationships with leaders from research organizations, academic institutions, industry partners, state and federal agencies (NIH), disease advocacy organizations, philanthropic entities, suppliers and stakeholders. Ability to effectively communicate with employees, medical staff, and healthcare management. Must demonstrate excellent leadership ability, group facilitation, grantsmanship, scientific writing, and presentation skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Track record in memory AND/OR movement disorders research and care Experience with technology transfer and commercialization Prior executive leadership role overseeing large and complex biomedical research operations Experience with large-scale multi-site clinical trials Established relationships with major funding organizations and philanthropists Experience in academic medical center or large health care system environment Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

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