Program Operations Director

Description:

The Program Operations Director (POD) for the Immunology and Vaccine Development (IVD) Program provides oversight and direction for a research program of over 50 faculty and $300 million in research awards. The POD leverages broad experience in program leadership, strategic planning, research administration, federal regulatory requirements, financial planning & analysis, human resources management, training & development, research portfolio development including proposal writing, systems and process improvement, and communications. This position reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for VIDD.

This position works in partnership with program leadership, Principal Investigators (PIs) and VIDD’s Associate Vice President to independently plan and ensure the success of the program faculty in their research pursuits. The IVD Program Operations Director supervises managers to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant administration of work units within the program: Research Administration, Regulatory Affairs, and Facilities & Operations, which includes oversight of the wet labs housed in the program. They ensure program strategy and objectives align with overall division and organizational priorities and provide input to division-level strategic planning.

Responsibilities

 Program Oversight (60%)
 Ensure program activities are compliant with all federal, sponsor and Fred Hutch requirements and guidelines and ensure operational consistency across the program 
 Provide effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved across the division, developing a broad and deep knowledge of all aspects of program operations 
 Supervise staff, including, hiring, training, mentorship, evaluating performance, handling disciplinary action, layoff and termination issues 
 Provide oversight to the program’s Research Administration activities including grant preparation, budget development/management, forecasting, reporting and report tools development 
 Oversee financial operations for the program including forecasting, management, reporting, reconciliations, purchasing and vendor contract management 
 Provide financial advice and guidance to program leaders and teams 
 Ensure the adherence to regulatory compliance procedures and laboratory protocols throughout the program, including oversight of any agency site reviews 
 Provide oversight of human resources management activities, training and communication of Fred Hutch policies, and administrative process improvement 
 Contribute to space planning, allocation, utilization, and management and resolve conflicts as needed 
 Collaborate with VIDD leadership to communicate and share programmatic activities, challenges and accomplishments regularly 
 Strategic Planning (15%)
 Facilitate faculty engagement in VIDD strategic planning efforts 
 Work with faculty and leadership from IVD, VIDD and Fred Hutch to operationalize strategic plans and implement processes to achieve the initiatives and objectives set forth in each plan 
 Lead and participate in groups and committees across the Program, Division and/or Organization to support strategy, special projects, and process improvement initiatives 
 Synergize with other programs and participate in operational planning for the Division 
 Develop and implement a system for tracking and reporting on the progress of operational plan & process improvement project implementation 
 Faculty Support (25%)
 In collaboration with VIDD Faculty Affairs Office, coordinate faculty recruiting activities for the program and support the Division office in administration and faculty promotions 
 Assist the IVD Program Head in planning all IVD faculty meetings; attend program meetings and events to stay abreast on all milestones, activities and needs for the IVD faculty 
 Serve as an advisor to faculty in planning and developing their group or lab including recruitment and retention, conflict management, and offboarding 
 Support faculty in cultivating and managing relationships with public and private funders to secure and expand recurring revenue streams 
 Assist the Fred Hutch Philanthropy, Business Development, and Communication & Marketing departments in cooperation with the Division to ensure all IVD achievements and donor relationships are appropriately highlighted and managed 
 Assist in finding, and developing new funding opportunities for the program, as appropriate 
 Proactively engage with faculty and their research administrators to regularly prepare and report out on their funding, awards and highlights of research activities 

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration or a related field 
 Minimum of 8-10 years of federal research administration management experience 
 Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory and leadership experience 
 Demonstrated success managing and engaging diverse stakeholders across a complex research portfolio 
 Experience with translating science into strategy in creating and executing strategic plans 
 Strong communication and budgetary skills