The primary responsibilities of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) are to (1) develop innovative, high-risk, high-reward scientific initiatives that will have national and international impact, supported by the NIH Common Fund; (2) identify and report on research that represents important areas of emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, or knowledge gaps that deserve special emphasis and would benefit from conducting or supporting additional research that involves collaboration between two or more NIH Institutes or Centers, or would otherwise benefit from strategic coordination and planning; (3) coordinate and, when appropriate and feasible, integrate research and activities across the offices within DPCPSI related to AIDS, behavioral and social sciences, women’s health, disease prevention, dietary supplements, research infrastructure, sexual and gender minorities, tribal health, data science, and nutrition; (4) develop computational methods and conduct scientific portfolio analysis; and (5) advise the Director, NIH, on issues involving trans-NIH planning, analysis, implementation, performance assessment, and evaluation. 

The Director, DPCPSI is responsible for overseeing and recommending ways to improve the overall priority-setting process within the NIH, especially as it relates to helping to initiate and coordinate collaborative research programs that transcend traditional organizational lines, promote an integrated approach to human health and are able to better address emerging scientific opportunities and public health challenges. Creating collaborative research opportunities that integrate the capabilities across the institutes, centers, and offices at the NIH is a high priority for senior leadership at the NIH. Additionally, the Director ensures that NIH-wide strategic initiatives are planned, coordinated, and implemented consistent with the long-and short-range plans approved by the NIH Director. The Director oversees the expansion of NIH analytic capabilities through the development and dissemination of new methods, computational tools, and best practices for portfolio analysis and strategic initiatives that are likely to have a broad and significant scientific and technological benefit.  The Director is charged with identifying and pursuing bold research initiatives that are potentially transformative but fall outside the mission of any single NIH Institute or Center (IC).  The Director leads NIH-wide strategic planning, evaluation, and reporting efforts.  In addition, they oversee diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) activities for DPCPSI staff and ensures that DEIA is prioritized in programs funded and/or managed by the Division.

The Director provides executive oversight and leadership for the activities of a diverse group of staff, currently composed of over 330 Federal employees and 200 contract professionals that are responsible for a comprehensive programmatic, analytic, and strategic initiatives program for the NIH.  Manages the resources of DPCPSI effectively, including the formulation of a budget totaling over $1 billion and allocation of financial and other resources within the office. The Director, DPCPSI also serves as one of the five NIH Deputy Directors.

NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization with the vision and ability to integrate science across multiple disciplines. Applicants must possess a Ph.D., M.D., or comparable doctorate degree, in the health sciences field plus senior-level scientific experience and knowledge of research programs in one or more scientific areas with broad vision and the ability to integrate science across multiple disciplines.  They should be known and respected within their profession as individuals of scientific prominence, with a distinguished record of research accomplishments and expertise in policy development.  Candidates should have demonstrated leadership in the science and research arena involving dealings with outside groups; serving as spokesperson; planning, program assessment, and analysis of program objectives; resolution of operational problems and issues; and the ability to manage financial and human resources including building, motivating, and maintaining a culturally diverse staff.  Candidates must have demonstrated the ability to work within a complex scientific organization and must have expertise in providing executive leadership, direction, and coordination in the broad area of program planning and evaluation, portfolio analysis, and implementation of strategic initiatives.  

About National Institutes of Health

Deputy Director For Intramural Research National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services

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