Career Center

About Us 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. 

The immediate Office of the Executive Director (iOED) promotes PCORI’s mission by providing leadership and strategy in the development of PCORI’s goals, strategic priorities, programs, and operations. The Chief of Staff (CoS) position serves as the focal point for management and direction of activities and functions of the ED and iOED, setting of priorities for the iOED, and management of critical points of contact. Reporting directly to the ED, the CoS serves as the primary contact within the iOED and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The incumbent serves in a dual capacity role, as a senior advisor providing advice and direction for PCORI’s programs, operations, and activities in pursuit of PCORI’s mission, as well as directing and implementing the ED’s priorities, philosophy, and management principles. The CoS also provides oversight of the collaborative development of Board meeting and engagement strategies and their delivery. In support of PCORI’s mission and activities, the CoS is a critical partner to leaders across the institute in ensuring that resources to support the patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research enterprise are responsibly managed and maintained, upholding core values, optimizing effectiveness, and developing/sustaining optimal internal collaborations and communications. The incumbent facilitates collaboration and communication across various departments and divisions at PCORI as well as oversees through coordination with others at PCORI the ED’s interactions with stakeholder communities including federal agencies, professional research organizations, patient-centered constituents and the research community. 

Job Duties & Responsibilities: 

Oversight of Immediate Office of the Executive Director (iOED) and Central Coordination of all Activities of the Executive Director (ED) 

• Manage the system that guides day-to-day operations for the iOED, enabling executive focus on strategic priorities and ensuring time, information, and decision making are effective.  

• Anticipate the needs of the Executive Director, prioritize among the ED’s competing demands, and serve as an accelerator of progress lessening day to day demands on the ED and executive team.  

• Manage all flow of information and communication to and from the iOED and ED. 

• Oversee the operations, administration, and budget of the iOED. 
• Supervise direct reports to include being responsible for mentorship, performance management, and development of their team. 
• Oversee procedural and decision-making protocols 

• Ensure coordination of work done on behalf of the ED, and that products, briefings, materials and meetings requiring the attention of the ED are relevant, appropriate, and accurate while reflecting the mission and strategic priorities of PCORI.  

• Review materials intended for the ED, including communications products on behalf of or ahead of ED review 

• Oversee through coordination with others at PCORI the vetting of invitations and correspondence to the ED or the Institute more broadly  

Executive Thought Partnership and Counsel 

• Provide guidance and counsel, serving as a strategic sounding board and confidant to the ED and other executives for both ideas and solutions 

• Provide counsel on current and alternate strategies for ongoing and emerging lines of work, to ensure goals and objectives are achieved and priorities are communicated effectively 
• Ensure matters requiring attention of the ED are thoroughly developed, researched and evaluated 

• Advise objectively and with candor, presenting all sides of the various issues encountered, when the leader needs a wide-ranging, unbiased view  
• Serve as a key liaison for inputs to the ED, facilitating internal and external collaboration and coordination 
• Advise and assist the ED and executive leaders on all attributes of the mission, activities and functions of the iOED, serving as chief advisor to the ED on a wide range of complex and emerging issues that affect the direction and scope of PCORI’s daily and strategic operations 

• Consider needs of the whole enterprise in advising and acting 

Vision and Mission to Implementation; Liaise with Key Internal and External Constituents 

• Advance vision to implementation by catalyzing and facilitating next steps or new initiatives stemming from the ED with appropriate leaders. Contribute to and facilitate strategy moving forward, through such interactions. 
• Build and maintain strong connections and relationships and collaborative networks across PCORI to facilitate internal stakeholder liaising 

• Cultivate flow of relevant information with the executive team and other relevant internal and external stakeholders 
• Continuously engage programmatic and administrative leaders across PCORI involved in strategic and mission planning, integration, and evaluation, development of initiatives, budget and financial management, and government relations, and communications.  
• Assist executive level leaders to ensure that PCORI has sufficient staff, training, and inclusivity to effectively achieve its mission, participating in and bringing both a research/programmatic and business management perspective to the development of PCORI program goals and objectives while identifying, assessing and remedying risks to program and administrative operations.  
• Communicate with executive leaders on behalf of ED with the implicit imprimatur of the ED. Communicate and track the execution of action items and decisions of the ED to executive leaders within PCORI and operate with the full support and authority of the ED 
• Manage and coordinate the conduct and content of executive meetings and events of high visibility under the purview of the ED, including retreats, leadership and staff meetings. Guide specific projects for the iOED that concern building consensus and disseminating information/decisions. 

Board Strategy and Activities Implementation 

• Contribute to strategy and oversee implementation of Board activities, facilitating strategic guidance from and with the ELT and implementation with relevant staff.  
• Effectively steward Board of Governors effectiveness and culture by collaborating with PCORI leadership on the overall strategy for board operations, activities, and relations, aligned with best practices 
• Advise PCORI leaders and staff on strategy for Board activities and oversee staff directly leading the cohesive coordination and implementation of the Board strategy  

• Oversee the flow of information and coordination of staff management of information and activities between the board and board committees in support of broader integrated Board strategy 
• Liaise closely with ELT including PCORI General Counsel Office for Board strategy, meeting planning, and?best practices stemming from a foundational interpretation of law, established policies, corporate governance, guidance, and evolving practices. 
• Work closely with PCORI executives and staff for strategy and implementation on content for board deliberations including meeting packages and briefings as well as presentations, ensuring the necessary information is included with the appropriate focus and level for the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the board of governors 
• Oversee implementation of the board meeting cycle with advance multi-year strategy and alignment of all work and workflows across PCORI with an annual strategy for board engagement and oversight 

Special Projects 

• Catalyze new initiatives or special projects identified by the ED, working closely with ELT members by assessing feasibility and facilitation 
• Integrate and connect work streams that would otherwise remain siloed 
• Manage sensitive projects and matters  
• Serve as a change catalyst 

• Anticipate problems and manage, troubleshoot, and problem solve when they arise by proactively identifying issues and providing workable solutions, communicating the pertinent details to the ED or executive team members  
• Perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above 

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above. 

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.