Engagement Officer

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.

Position Summary

Drawing from the largest portfolio of research available in the U.S. that involves patients, caregivers, clinicians and others as research partners, Engagement Officers serve in a unique role to collaboratively build an evidence base for the practice and science of patient and public engagement in clinical comparative effectiveness research to accelerate change in the culture of research in the U.S. and beyond.

• Under the direction of the Senior Engagement Officer, Team Lead of Public and Patient Engagement, this position will develop engagement expertise in a diverse portfolio of studies across different funding opportunities, including studies focused on specific diseases / conditions;
• facilitate the conduct of PCOR by providing expert guidance on engagement approaches within PCORI-funded Research and other Awards and by building capacity within the organization to manage multi-partner research studies;
• develop tools and resources to support meaningful engagement in research; identify and disseminate promising engagement practices;

and support PCORI’s organizational engagement efforts in engaging with diverse partner communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides thought leadership and expert guidance on the engagement of patients and partners within pragmatic research settings to PCORI-funded research teams, and PCORI staff

Collaborates with PCORI Science Program Officers, research teams, patients and other partners on engagement questions or challenges during the life cycle of research projects and facilitates communication among awardees around engagement challenges

Conducts systematic assessment of engagement activities within funded portfolio areas to identify what engagement activities are occurring, how they are occurring, and identifying the barriers and facilitators to meaningful and successful engagement

Plays a leadership role in developing and implementing engagement-focused training and capacity building approaches for internal staff

Translates engagement practices and theories to actionable and readily usable engagement resources to share with PCORI staff and research community

Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding Engagement Award applications received through the PCORI funding announcement process and collaborate on special projects as needed.

Conceives and conducts in-person and virtual presentations and workshops, prepares abstracts and presentations for conferences, and develops manuscripts to share promising practices in engaged research to advance the science of engagement

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.

Required Skills

Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; exceptional problem-solving abilities; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing training and capacity-building approaches relevant to supporting partnerships in research

Experience in the development of tools and guidance to support multi-partner engagement in research

Understanding of the research process from generating a research question to dissemination

Broad knowledge and appreciation of patient and other partner engagement practices

Broad knowledge in health policy, healthcare systems organization and structures and payment policies

Detail-oriented with strong project management skills, including the ability to think independently, balance multiple priorities, meet deliverable timelines and work with minimal supervision

Ability to work collaboratively and productively in the context of a large organization with matrixed teams

Ability to exercise flexibility and adaptability in a changing environment along with a capacity to be proactive in an evolving area of work

Ability to work independently and to manage projects and people

Strong analytic skills and ability to synthesize complex information

Excellent editing, oral and written communications skills with an ability to translate complex material into clear and simple language and adapt for varied audiences

Ability to travel, as required, including site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings

Extensive experience with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft Office Products; experience with Salesforce or other grants management software and project management software desirable

Required Experience

Master’s degree or higher required

Experience developing and implementing tailored training activities and materials strongly preferred

Knowledge of Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research preferred

Minimum of 7+ years of work experience, including 3-5 years relevant engagement experience that may include :

Experience as a healthcare professional (nurses, physician assistant, or other front-line clinician) who has championed patient- and family-centered care and systems improvement

Experience with management of or participation in a grant or contract award focused on engaging patients, clinicians, medical specialty organizations and / or health plans

Involvement in efforts by medical specialty groups, patient or other partner advocacy organizations, or health policy organizations, to partner with or educate researchers on engagement

Experience on patient and family advisory councils and skilled in working directly with clinicians, health systems and researchers

Experience in patient engagement in meaningful use, data networks, patient-reported outcome development, development of quality metrics, data privacy issues and other data research infrastructure development

Experience leading or managing engagement within a PCOR study, or other community-partnered research study

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range : $116,134 $145,167

The above range represents the salary range expected for the position; however, final offers are based on several factors such as the position’s responsibilities;

the candidate’s experience, education, and skills; location; travel required; and current market conditions.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, eligible employees may participate in PCORI-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents.

Conflict of Interest.

PCORI wants to ensure that prospective employees are aware of its conflict-of-interest policies so that employment deliberations take into consideration this aspect of PCORI employment.

PCORI requires all PCORI employees to disclose upon commencement of their employment and on an annual basis all individual and close relatives financial, business, and personal association with the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one’s decisions relating to PCORI.

All disclosures made by employees are made publicly available on PCORI’s website. Disclosures must include all financial and business and personal associations with any health or healthcare-related organizations and include all associations with any other organizations that have the potential to bias or that have the appearance of biasing one’s decisions relating to PCORI, including but not limited to vendors or other third parties with whom PCORI has a contract or that PCORI has funded.

For more information please visit PCORI-Conflict-of-Interest-Policies-Outside-Employment-Policy.pdf

PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.

PCORI recommends all members of the PCORI workforce adhere to the CDC recommendations regarding staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.

PCORI’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion :

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity both internal and external to the workplace. You can learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here .

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; exceptional problem-solving abilities; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing training and capacity-building approaches relevant to supporting partnerships in research

Experience in the development of tools and guidance to support multi-partner engagement in research

Understanding of the research process from generating a research question to dissemination

Broad knowledge and appreciation of patient and other partner engagement practices

Broad knowledge in health policy, healthcare systems organization and structures and payment policies

Detail-oriented with strong project management skills, including the ability to think independently, balance multiple priorities, meet deliverable timelines and work with minimal supervision

Ability to work collaboratively and productively in the context of a large organization with matrixed teams

Ability to exercise flexibility and adaptability in a changing environment along with a capacity to be proactive in an evolving area of work

Ability to work independently and to manage projects and people

Strong analytic skills and ability to synthesize complex information

Excellent editing, oral and written communications skills with an ability to translate complex material into clear and simple language and adapt for varied audiences

Ability to travel, as required, including site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings

Extensive experience with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft Office Products; experience with Salesforce or other grants management software and project management software desirable