AVP Division Operations, Clinical Research

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center includes 45+ primary and over 120 joint faculty members who participate in advanced clinical research as well as direct patient care. Our priority is translating promising discoveries to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with cancer and other illnesses. 

The AVP, Division Operations, oversees the administrative management services for the Division and its research programs, including an extensive portfolio of clinical research studies.  Areas of broad responsibility include directing administration and operations, budget development and management, personnel management (~40 staff members), space planning, pre- and post-award grants management activities, leading special projects, communication, and facilitating support to Division faculty.  The AVP, Division Operations is the primary representative for the Division for senior administrative decisions and policy development.  The AVP, Division Operations works with the Division Director and faculty executive leadership and related committees to facilitate strategic planning and other Division-wide initiatives. 

The AVP, Division Operations will report directly to the Division Director and Senior Vice President and have a matrixed (dotted line) report to the Vice President, Research Administration. 

Responsibilities

Division Leadership

• Promote, facilitate, and support high-quality research through the development and oversight of efficient, well-tailored administrative functions.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Division and Center and leverage the unique talents of others.
• Steer the selection/hiring, development, and oversight of operational/administrative staff for the division.
• Builds, maintains, and promotes seamless and effective relationships across research and administrative areas of Fred Hutch.
• Provide effective communication across the Division, expressing ideas concisely while ensuring an appropriate cascade of information.
• Adapt readily to new situations and take action to tackle difficult problems.
• Respect and respond to the perspectives of different functional areas/stakeholders in the organization.
• Remain current with and readily adapt to external conditions affecting the organization.

 General Division Operations and Administration

• Manage the administration of the Division and its research programs. Serve as the liaison between science and administration to support the Division and Center; collaborate and coordinate with external partners.
• Support the Division Director in carrying out divisional duties, such as:
  • Management of space usage and allocation including planning for future uses and adapting to faculty/research needs.
  • Oversight of faculty affairs office to ensure that faculty recruitment, appointments, and reviews follow Center policy guidelines.
  • Risk management including, but not limited to, conflict of interest review, internal controls, audit support, guidance on processes and policies.
• Work in partnership with central administrative teams to ensure successful delivery of division-specific and enterprise-wide initiatives; foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide advice and support to faculty, staff, and other Center administrative and leadership groups as requested.
• Represent the Division perspective in a variety of settings/meetings/committees, helping different functional areas/stakeholders in the organization understand Division operations
• With peer divisional AVPs, lead initiatives that span divisions and support Center and divisional strategic goals.
• Standardize and evolve division administrative activities and programs.
• Support the Division Director in developing the Division strategic plans; oversee the development of Division operational and business plans to successfully realize identified priorities; leads new initiatives, pilot programs, and program development and based on results, recommends and implements adjustments and modifications.
• Manage and advocate for the space allocation and facilities needs for the Division in partnership with the Facilities Department and Center Leadership.
• Coordinate and distribute data specific to Center information services to ensure that faculty and staff have necessary computer support, access to computerized databases, and are well informed of issues affecting their work.
• Integrate knowledge of policies and compliance infrastructure for Fred Hutch to guide implementation within the Division.  Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and other regulations associated with the management of grant and contract awards, non-sponsored funding, and Division operations. Collaborate with internal audit to review and improve processes.
• Support the development of effective scientific collaborations associated with assigned projects.
• Perform specific duties and responsibilities as requested.

Financial Management:

• Oversee the preparation, management, and monitoring of the Division's annual budget and oversee grant and contracts awards to support the work of faculty and staff.
• Provide regular financial reporting to the Division Director on sponsored and non-sponsored funding. Compile, interpret and communicate financial information to various Division and Center stakeholders.
• Lead division-wide planning, long-range financial planning, major equipment acquisitions, and new initiatives in conjunction with the Division Director.

HR Management:

• Facilitate the Division's talent management activities including annual staff and faculty merit review processes, employment requisitions and personnel actions, classification review, disciplinary actions, trainee and graduate student appointment changes, and staff training and development planning, while ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion values are embedded in programs and practices.
• Support the Division Director in negotiating and facilitating faculty arrivals and departures.
• Responsible for administrative aspects of faculty recruitment, appointment, and promotion. Represent scientific Divisions on search committees as needed.

Division-Specific Responsibilities:

Clinical Operations

• Oversight of the joint UW-FH faculty annual merit process.
• Management of division-based clinical research team and financial management of clinical trials and clinical research support personnel. 
• Management of the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship program team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7+ years of progressively responsible administrative management experience, including pre-award and post-award activities, grant and contract budgeting; supervision; and planning in a health care, research, biotech, or governmental agency environment.
• A minimum of seven years of management-level experience, preferably in a research institute or academic environment.
• Demonstrated experience in research administration and business planning practices.
• Demonstrated experience effectively collaborating with senior leadership (Vice President and Executive levels).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully operate in and lead a complex, matrixed, and high-performing
• Experience working in a mission-driven environment where values and engagement are expected at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• The successful candidate will promote scientific excellence and be responsive to the needs of the Division and Center mission.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health, or other relevant degree.
• Understanding of the NIH grant system is desired.
• Experience with industry and foundation sponsors of research activities.

Key Skills and Abilities:

• A demonstrated ability to lead complex decision-making and processes effectively and to nurture a culture in service and support to the research efforts of faculty.
• A proven track record of providing visionary leadership and effective management of a complex department, unit, or organization.
• Experience in leading a diverse team, thinking creatively and globally, projecting future needs, and being attuned to the day-to-day division operations.
• Proactively identify and respond to emerging challenges in research administration in partnership with key stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Proven ability to improve processes resulting in greater effectiveness and service.
• Ability to build, motivate and supervise a team including other senior leaders.
• Active listening and building trust across various research and administrative teams.
• Ability to simultaneously provide support to multiple team members, prioritizing consistently and appropriately
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Professional, positive attitude
• Strong communication skills

This position is patient facing and/or requires access to Fred Hutch clinical facilities. As such, full COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment, without exception. Booster doses are strongly recommended but not required. If declining a booster, completion of the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Form Questionnaire and COVID-19 Booster Declination Training is required. Because of our immunocompromised patient population, there are no medical or religious accommodations available for any employee who is patient facing and/or requires access to Fred Hutch clinical facilities. Only employees whose positions are fully remote, who are not patient facing and/or require no access to clinical facilities, may apply for medical or religious accommodations. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination before their first day of employment.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $176,155 to $293,591 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.  This position may be eligible for relocation assistance or sign on bonus.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).