Associate Director of Statistical Programming

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR), an organization within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is responsible for the design, monitoring and statistical analysis of clinical trials and observational studies for several major national and international NIH-funded clinical research networks. CBAR employs over 60 statisticians and epidemiologists including Harvard faculty, research scientists, and staff.  Investigators within CBAR have provided statistical leadership and support for clinical research networks for thirty-five years. Currently this includes infectious disease networks such as: Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections (ACTG) and the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT). Results from studies have helped to establish the paradigm for the treatment and prevention of HIV and other infectious diseases, and contributed to international treatment and prevention guidelines.

This position is located in the Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.  Since 1989, CBAR and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have provided a strong program for growth and professional development of its research staff -- including a defined career path and opportunities for continuing education and attendance of professional meetings.

CBAR has a hybrid work environment which includes a combination of on-campus/in-person work and remote work.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Reporting directly to the Director of Statistical Programming and AI Applications, the Associate Director of Statistical Programming is responsible for leading the statistical programming efforts for a busy research center.  The individual will be responsible for collaborating with CBAR Leadership, project PI's,  biostatisticians, and Core programmers as well as the CBAR Quality Management Team, IT professionals, Internal Resource Committees, external collaborators, and other colleagues in the creation, implementation, and maintenance of statistical programming infrastructure and deliverables. The Associate Director will lead the effort to continuously improve programming processes to conform to evolving industry standards and participate in the ongoing review and development of quality systems and processes, including CDISC implementation, R programming, AI integration, and other internal/external initiatives.

The Associate Director will manage the priorities and expectations of the CBAR Programming Core comprised of approximately 10 programmers who design and implement expert applications (including SAS macros, R packages, and BASH scripts) supporting protocol-specific statistical programming and project priorities for Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections (ACTG) and the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group (IMPAACT). This includes high-level programming projects, including SAS, R, BASH, and Python, and ad hoc protocol-specific programming requests. As the process owner for Core Applications, the Associate Director is responsible for timely review and final approval of program specifications and requirements.

The Associate Director will  directly supervise programming managers and other senior Core programming staff. Responsibilities include personnel decision making at all levels of the Core, including hiring, promotion recommendations, and disciplinary actions. This position mentors programming staff and coordinates with the CBAR Training Committee with respect to the training needs of masters and doctoral-level statisticians and epidemiologists.

This individual must possess extensive experience and proven skills in the use of SAS within a Statistical Programming environment and complete knowledge and understanding of the statistical programming processes, procedures, and roles. This individual will use knowledge of CDISC SDTM and ADaM standards to provide support Biostatistics in statistical analysis, both directly, and in the development of programming tools to streamline study-specific programming.  Applicants with experience in R both SAS and R will be strongly preferred.  Additionally, the successful candidate will use their strong people management skills and supervisory skills to provide direct line management to the statistical programmers, identify training needs and opportunities for optimizing staff utilization and employing the most efficient practices.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Signatory for CBAR Programming SOPs with responsibility for document revisions, CAPA management, response to internal audit, statistical programming representative for external audit/inspection
• Lead Programming Core priorities and commitments, including assessment of new applications, needs of statistics and requirements, allocation of resources including for ad-hoc projects, review, and final approval of program specifications and requirements
• Manage, cultivate, and establish requirements for a pipeline of statistical programming projects. Projects may include macro and script development to support the work of biostatistics teams, study-specific work, standardization efforts, ad-hoc projects, etc.
• Directly supervise the Manager of Programming Systems, the Manager of Programmer Development, and the Manager of Data Standardization providing oversight for advanced application design and planning, Core programmer training, and clinical data standardization, respectively
• Collaboration with the CBAR IT team to ensure thorough and smooth testing associated with critical hardware and software updates
• Primary liaison with the ACTG/IMPAACT Data Management Center in Amherst, NY; responsible to ensure the harmonization of programming systems and deliverables between the two organizations;
• Supporting statisticians and epidemiologists with external collaborators to ensure efficient and secure data transfer
• Coordination with the CBAR Training Committee with respect to the training needs of master- and doctoral-level statisticians and epidemiologists
• Other duties as assigned

Please attach the following when applying: 1) Resume, 2) Cover letter, 3) Sample of SAS Code (solely created by the applicant - preferably utilizing macro language), and 4) Names and email addresses for three (3) Professional references.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term date of November 30, 2027 with a strong likelihood of extension.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience is required
• Supervisory experience is required

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following job-related skill and experience is strongly preferred, but not required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience working with all levels of management and consulting with key business stakeholders
• An aptitude to influence for greater outcomes
• Proven leadership skills with prior management and extensive supervisory experience
• Proven history of managing programming capability and projects in a research setting
• Experience with SAS, R, Bash, Linux, and Python are highly desirable
• At least seven years of high-level statistical programming skills in a clinical data environment or research setting, preferably with clinical trial data
•  Proven skills in the use of SAS and a scripting language within a Statistical Programming environment, preferably with clinical trial data (knowledge of R is desirable)
• Strong team player that has a customer service approach and is solution-oriented
• Attention to detail and can work individually, within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and vendors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; technical writing experience is desirable

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: November 30, 2027 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country! 

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions. 

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings. 

• This position has a 180 day orientation and review period.  

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Salary Grade: 059