Director of Strategy and Operations

Overview

Overview

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

The Director of Strategy and Operations is responsible for research administration leadership and management in partnership with the Principal Investigators and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Project Director’s Scientific Leadership. This person contributes to the development and implementation of strategic priorities and projects within the broader WHI Program that impact research. They effectively lead and manage the Research Administrative Team to support the compliant and efficient conduct of research throughout the research lifecycle (from proposal through closure/archiving) across all WHI ancillary studies at the Hutch. They communicate and collaborate across multiple levels of Leadership to support WHI strategic initiatives and continuously be good stewards of federal funds. Other duties include facilitating collaborative partnerships across the center, leading development of WHI Program metrics to monitor progress in WHI Study Proposals and Funding.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative oversight of the WHI Program, including Coordinating Center's 5 year $50M federal contract (four subcontracts), and 20+ funded Ancillary Studies ($3M annual) and Center Funds accounts
• Oversee contract and subcontract administration, including timely submission of deliverables
• Oversee all HR needs for the Coordinating Center, including onboarding and outboarding of staff, annual staff merit and performance evaluation process (55 staff) and employee performance issues on an ongoing basis
• Oversee space and equipment planning and use, evaluate current and future project needs
• Manage WHI Coordinating Center's Research Administration Unit (6 staff):
  • Develop and administer policies and procedures related to research admin
  • Stay aware of changing NIH policies/procedures
  • Ensure all required financial, IRB, dbGaP, CMS, VDE, and funding agency reports are produced and submitted in a high quality and timely fashion
• As a member of WHI Coordinating Center's Project Directors:
  • Develop WHI Coordinating Center's policies
  • Prioritize and allocate resources to support research
  • Provide fiscal oversight
  • Manage program and study affairs
  • Develop long range plans for systems development and research activity implementation
  • Plan, prepare materials and participate in funding agency site visits
• As a member of WHI Coordinating Center's Managers Group:
  • Coordinate implementation of projects/tasks/reporting across units
  • Coordinate ancillary study activities across units
  • Ensure study wide communication
• Selected additional responsibilities:
  • Lead and participate in strategic planning: Website, 25th Legacy Meeting, Logo, Repository, Network
  • Attend monthly Steering Committee Conference Calls, Semi-annual SC Meetings (Washington, DC) and Annual Investigator Meetings (Washington, DC)
  • Serve as liaison to Public Health Sciences and Administrative Divisions
  • Develop and negotiate budget for the next contract extension

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a progressively complex leadership position in an academic research environment is required
• Experience collaborating with executive leaders and senior scientists is required
• Experience required in research administration, HR and related personnel management, operations and staff, establishing timelines, benchmarking accountability and overseeing program and project budgets
• Experience in proposal development, project implementation and grant/contract management
• Supervisory experience required

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and VEVRAA Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at escmail@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.