Manager Translational Research

South African National Blood Service; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Gauteng is seeking a Manager for Translational Research to oversee the research team and ensure compliance with regulatory and ethical standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing research projects and staff, emphasizing data analysis, quality assurance, and stakeholder relationship building. This position offers opportunities for national and international collaboration, and applicants should hold a relevant Master's degree and have strong analytical software expertise. Exceptional communication and leadership skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years managerial experience overseeing staff.
• 5 years in epidemiology and biostatistics with relational databases.
• Requires knowledge of decision sciences and data mining.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Translational Research Team to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget and monitoring expenses.
• Build and maintain strategic internal partnerships for research development.

Skills

Statistical software

Data visualization

Leadership

Strong communication

Teamwork

Education

Masters degree in health analytics, biostatistics, information management or data sciences

Tools

Statistical methods

Data extraction tools

Job description

Job category: Medical Research and Laboratory Sciences

Location: Roodepoort

Contract: Permanent

Business Unit: Constantia Kloof

Remuneration: R 1,,******

EE position: No

Introduction

The Manager Translational Research is responsible for overseeing and managing the Translational Research Team to ensure SANBS-associated research complies with regulatory and ethical requirements. This position focuses on enhancing research capacity in support of SANBS strategic initiatives, providing advanced statistical and analytic expertise. The Manager must identify and pursue high-quality internal and external research collaborations, drive dissemination of research output through peer‑reviewed publications, and present findings at relevant scientific meetings.

KPA 1: Business Planning and Implementation

• KPI1.1 Compile a Translational Research Business Plan and collaborate with Senior Manager Translational Research and Cellular Therapy to align with SANBS Mission and Vision, including budget, resources, and revenue generation.
• KPI1.2 Review, develop, and implement Translational Research policies, procedures, strategies, and standards to accomplish SANBS Vision, comply with legislation, and maintain quality blood transfusion research practices.
• KPI1.3 Develop the departmental budget and monitor expenses for specified projects, ensuring targets and deadlines are met.
• KPI1.4 Design and execute project management processes to deliver projects on time, within budget, and with high‑quality standards.
• KPI1.5 Collaborate with investigators to meet milestones, ensuring timely and accurate submission to SRC, HREC/IRB, funders, and contract managers, and coordinate site remediation, outreach, presentations, and website content management.
• KPI1.6 Develop reporting metrics, collect data, and submit reports within specified timeframes.
• KPI1.7 Collaborate with other SANBS divisions (Operations, Marketing, ICT) to synergize integrated outcomes.

KPA 2: Customer and Stakeholder Relationship Building

• KPI2.1 Identify and manage strategic internal partnerships that build and expand the research and development programme aligned to strategic objectives.
• KPI2.2 Build and sustain collaborative relationships across divisions, serving as a subject‑matter expert in biostatistics.
• KPI2.3 Collaborate with investigators to utilize SANBS’s data assets, ensuring regulatory compliance and data sharing security.
• KPI2.4 Support research collaboration by assessing data availability, preparing analysis plans, and advising on statistical strategy, reliability, and interpretation.
• KPI2.5 Author or co‑author reports, abstracts, and manuscripts for peer review.
• KPI2.6 Review abstracts and manuscripts for scientific presentation quality.

KPA 3: Analytics

• KPI3.1 Consult investigators on research proposal or analytics requests.
• KPI3.2 Assess source data availability and suitability.
• KPI3.3 Profile data, discovering gaps, and determining suitability and validity.
• KPI3.4 Create analytic data sets by cleansing, transforming, integrating, and preparing for analysis.
• KPI3.5 Perform analytics using suitable software, methods, and techniques.
• KPI3.6 Interpret results, create insights, and communicate effectively to stakeholders.
• KPI3.7 Compile, present, and propose courses of action for executive deliberation.
• KPI3.8 Assist in preparing reports, protocols, investigator brochures, and regulatory responses.
• KPI3.9 Communicate outcomes to stakeholders and obtain buy‑in.

KPA 4: Improving Process Integration in the Translational Research Area

• KPI4.1 Oversee implementation of SANBS research agenda, training, and mentorship.
• KPI4.2 Plan and execute resource management for high‑quality research training.
• KPI4.3 Oversee development and delivery of training modules with business units and external stakeholders.
• KPI4.4 Oversee management of required infrastructure.
• KPI4.5 Oversee management of postgraduate programmes, ensuring postgraduate induction orientation.

KPA 5: Quality Assurance and Compliance to relevant Standards and Regulations

• KPI5.1 Ensure all Translational Research policies and procedures comply with regulations and are reviewed per Quality Review schedule.
• KPI5.2 Develop policies and procedures when gaps are identified.
• KPI5.3 Ensure the research value chain complies with relevant regulations and internal/external standards.
• KPI5.4 Support participation in Blood Safety, Scientific Review, and Human Research Ethics Committees.
• KPI5.5 Provide viral surveillance feedback at the annual Blood Safety meeting.
• KPI5.6 Oversee implementation of systems ensuring compliance of all research requirements.
• KPI5.7 Participate in national and international initiatives on standards and policy development.

KPA 6: Aligned People Management

• KPI6.1 Recruit the appropriate team in line with employment equity targets.
• KPI6.3 Conduct performance management and monitor ongoing performance through mentoring, coaching, and reviews.
• KPI6.4 Advise and mentor team members on performance improvement tactics.
• KPI6.5 Track and encourage individual development; identify learning needs and programmes.
• KPI6.6 Respond to grievances, conflicts, and disciplinary issues per SANBS policies.
• KPI6.7 Communicate changes in strategy, values, SOPs, and policy to the team.
• KPI6.8 Monitor staff time‑keeping, absenteeism, and overtime to ensure HR policy adherence.
• KPI6.9 Promote team interrelations through regular team‑building exercises.

Technical and Managerial Expertise

• Education: Masters degree specialising in health analytics, biostatistics, information management or data sciences; managerial qualification advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years managerial experience overseeing staff; 5 years in epidemiology and biostatistics with relational databases and large datasets.
• Technical Expertise: Statistical software, methods, and techniques for data extraction, transformation, analysis, and interpretation; knowledge of decision sciences (statistics, mathematics, machine learning, data mining).
• Other Skills: Scientific presentation and manuscript writing, innovative data visualization, strong communication, leadership, and teamwork.
• Travel: National/international travel including overnight stays as required.
• Driver's License: Required.

Additional Information

• Position may be fulfilled by a person with a physical disability; visual impairment excluded.
• Overtime as and when required.
• Other (knowledge and skills), Sound business knowledge / subject matter expertise and soft skills such as scientific presentations, communicating analytics results, and scientific manuscript writing.
• Innovative visualization of results.

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