Program Operations Director

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 Cancer Prevention Program is built around the idea that changing certain lifestyle of environmental factors can lower cancer incidence and improve survival. We investigate cancer etiology and risk factors through clinic- and community-based studies in targeted populations. The program includes over 200+ professors and research support staff from a variety of disciplines including epidemiology, biostatistics, nutrition, genomics, behavioral science, health economics, health disparities, health communications, dissemination and implementation, primary care and oncology.

The Program Operations Director is responsible for the overall program activities and administrative operations including strategy, financial, personnel, grants and contracts, regulatory and administrative functions for a broad program comprised of independent research groups. This position requires an understanding of sponsored research, regulatory requirements, performance management, administrative systems, program management and broad experience with business functions and systems, including program leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, fiscal analysis, human resources management and communication. This position reports to the Cancer Prevention Program Head.

Responsibilities

This position works with overarching guidance from program leadership, Principal Investigators (PIs) and the Division’s Associate Vice President to independently plan and oversee administrative operations for the program research portfolio. The Program Operation Director manages the administrative team and oversees all day-to-day operational and administrative responsibilities for the program, sets functional strategies and objectives on operational plans that align with overall Division and organizational strategies, and provides input to Division-level strategic planning.

General Program Operations and Administration

• Lead and supervise the program administration team.
• Support the Program Head in developing the program strategic plan and annual reporting requirements, managing faculty affairs, planning faculty meetings, workshops and retreats.
• Work in partnership with Center and Division administrative teams to ensure successful implementation and integration of programs and center-wide initiatives; foster cross-functional collaboration.

• Participate in Center and Division-led meetings, committees and special projects.
• Direct and provide leadership to Cancer Prevention Program Project Leads, to include ongoing meetings, communication and policy implementation.

• Manage and maintain the faculty grant library, program documentation, policy materials and support recurring reporting needs.
• Manage space usage and allocation including planning for future uses and adapting to changing faculty/research needs.
• Partner with Communications Team to develop and maintain website and content development.

Financial and Data Management

• Oversee general financial operations for the program including forecasting, management, reporting, reconciliations, purchasing and vendor contract management for sponsored, non-sponsored and foundation funded projects.
• Oversee the preparation, management, and monitoring of the Program's annual budget and faculty funding needs. Perform cost analysis and obtain data needed for requests. Justify and advocate for budget requests directly with Division senior leadership, Finance, and Compensation departments.
• In collaboration with the Senior Research Administration Manager, oversee grant activities including grant preparation, budget development/management, forecasting, reporting and report tools development.

HR Management

• Facilitate the annual staff performance management and merit review process.
• Assist the Program Head and Division with faculty HR matters including promotions, appointment changes, onboarding, offboarding and the annual merit review process.
• Advise and assist faculty and managers in developing study team structures, submissions of employment requisitions and personnel actions, classification review, disciplinary actions, trainee and graduate student inquiries and staff training and development planning.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration or a related field; additional years of related work experience may substitute in part for completed degree.
• 8-10 years of federal research administration management experience or equivalent management experience with pre-award and post-award activities, grant and contract budgeting; supervision; and planning.
• A minimum of 5 years of management-level experience, preferably in a research institute or academic environment, including 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.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory and leadership experience, including active mentoring and performance management.
• Demonstrated success managing and engaging diverse stakeholders across a complex research portfolio.
• Experience in leading a diverse team, thinking creatively and globally, projecting future needs, and being attuned to the day-to-day program operations.
• Flexible and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Exemplary organizational skills, attention to detail and service orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully operate in and lead a complex, matrixed, and high-performing organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree.
• 3-5 years of experience in supporting faculty in an academic environment.
• Experience in identifying areas for process improvement and implementing associated change management strategies to successfully rollout and sustain initiatives.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $115,108 to $181,916 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.    Relocation offered for those who qualify.

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).