Position Summary
Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a collaborative and highly organized Deputy Director to support the Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) Coordinating Center, a national initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The HERA Coordinating Center supports research that advances health equity through community-centered, action-oriented, and systems-level approaches.
The Deputy Director will work closely with the Co-Directors to manage the day-to-day operations of the Coordinating Center, coordinate grantmaking activities, support partnerships across collaborating institutions, and ensure successful implementation of program goals. The Deputy Director will serve as a key member of the HERA leadership team and help facilitate communication among MSU, partner institutions, community organizations, funded investigators, and RWJF.
The ideal candidate is a doctoral-trained health equity scholar with experience managing complex research or grant-funded initiatives, coordinating grantmaking activities, and working collaboratively with diverse partners. This position is dependent on grant funding and has the potential for renewal.
Primary responsibilities include:
Program operations and coordination
- Support the Co-Directors in the day-to-day management of the HERA Coordinating Center.
- Coordinate implementation of program activities, deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements.
- Track project milestones and facilitate communications across multiple workgroups.
- Prepare reports and assist with strategic planning activities.
- Work collaboratively with HERA staff to ensure efficient program operations.
Grantmaking and program administration
- Coordinate competitive grantmaking activities, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), reviewer recruitment, review meetings, award administration and reporting.
- Assist with monitoring funded projects and ensuring compliance with RWJF requirements.
- Coordinate technical assistance and communication with funded investigators and community partners.
- Help maintain equitable and transparent grantmaking processes.
Collaboration and partnerships
- Serve as a liaison between MSU, collaborating HERA Coordinating Centers, RWJF, advisory committees, and community organizations.
- Foster strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support cross-site collaboration and knowledge sharing across partner institutions.
Community engagement
- Support community engagement activities and help ensure meaningful community participation throughout the research funding process.
- Coordinate meetings and activities with community advisory groups and external partners.
- Promote equitable and respectful partnerships with community organizations.
Communications
- Assist in preparing reports, presentations, meeting materials, and communications for RWJF and partner organizations.
- Coordinate internal and external communications among HERA partners.
- Contribute to dissemination of program activities through webinars, conferences, and publications as appropriate.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person's employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate's current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Terminal -Public health, epidemiology, health policy, social sciences, or a related discipline
Minimum Requirements
in addition to a terminal degree in a relevant discipline, candidates must have:
- Three to five years of experience managing research, grant-funded programs, or large collaborative initiatives.
- Knowledge of health equity research and the national health equity landscape.
- Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience engaging community organizations and community stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and strong work ethic.
Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience coordinating grantmaking or research funding processes.
- Experience working with philanthropic foundations, federal agencies or research funding organizations.
- Experience with community-engaged or community-based participatory research.
- Familiarity with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation or similar health philanthropy.
- Experience coordinating multi-institutional research collaboratives.
- Experience supervising project staff or trainees.
- Knowledge of research administration in an academic environment.
Ideal candidates will also demonstrate a:
- Commitment to advancing health equity;
- Collaborative leadership and team work skills;
- Strong project management and organizational skills;
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities;
- Ability to coordinate complex, multi-partner initiatives;
- Sound judgement and problem-solving skills;
- Attention to detail and accountability;
- Cultural humility and commitment to community engagement; and
- Strong work ethic and ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
Required Application Materials
CV and cover letter highlighting relevant professional experience.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/01/2026
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
www.chmfamilymedicine.msu.edu
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
