Associate Operations Director, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division

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 Associate Operations Director (AOD) serves as a research administration and operations leader for the Translational Science and Therapeutics (TST) Division and reports directly to the Associate Vice President, Division Operations (AVP). The AOD provides expert guidance to faculty and staff and works in partnership with the AVP to manage administration and operations, budgeting, personnel, space oversight, and strategic planning for the Division. They will also work in close collaboration with the Division’s Senior Program Operations Directors on matters related to sponsored research administration and the research administration teams.

 

Working in partnership with the AVP and TST Executive leadership, the AOD contributes to senior administrative decisions and policy development for the Division and facilitates strategic planning along with other Division-wide initiatives. The AOD is considered a leader in the Scientific Division Research Administration Community and may serve as a delegate of the AVP in the following key areas: general research operations, Division communication, faculty affairs, strategy, process improvement, facilities and shared equipment management, space oversight staff training and professional development, and change management. In addition, the AOD may supervise one or more Division office staff members.

 

This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely.

General Division Operations:

• Support the AVP in managing the general administrative oversight of the Division and its research programs.
• Serve as a liaison between research scientists and administration to support the Division and Fred Hutch.
• Provide recommendations and support to faculty, staff, and other Fred Hutch administrative and leadership groups as requested and appropriate.
• Represent the Division on organization-wide processes and administrative committees, as designated and directed by the AVP.
• Partner with the AVP to develop strategy, build-up, and maintenance of administrative staffing support and development model for faculty.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Sponsored Research Administration:

• Provide expert-level guidance and support to Research Administrators (RAs) in matters related to pre- and post-award sponsored research administration.
• Work autonomously to complete non-scientific grant content and tasks, updating as needed and appropriate for Division-wide use.
• Advise faculty and RAs on best practices; interface with central administrative departments (OSR, IRO, etc.) to align communications around new policies/processes (federal, institutional, or otherwise.)
• Assist with managing the Division review process for sponsored funding applications.
• May perform research administration duties, as needed, for one or more faculty members as primary or back up support.

Strategy and Process/Project Management:

• Participate in the development of strategic, operational, and business plans associated with the Division.
• Independently manage and execute Division initiatives and projects as assigned by the AVP.
• Advise or consult with Center leadership on changes to Center-wide policies/procedures; create implementation plans for the Division’s Research Administration team in response to changing systems, processes, and regulatory requirements.
  
• Collaborate with Division faculty and interface with other departments as needed on administrative and strategic planning relevant to Divisional goals. Advise faculty as appropriate regarding Division matters; develop and implement effective solutions to ongoing and/or acute administrative issues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement mindset for Division operations (identifying process issues, planning, and executing solutions, and evaluating outcomes.)

Facilities and Space Management:

• Support the AVP in managing space allocated to the Division, including collecting and maintaining data in the organizational space management system; facilitating submission of space requests; managing Division shared equipment; and interfacing with the Facilities Engineering and Space Planning teams, as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible administrative management experience, including grant and contract budgeting; supervision; and planning in a healthcare, research, biotech, or governmental agency environment.
• Experience with the NIH grant system is required, as is multi-project grant experience with a wide variety of funding sources.
• The ability to analyze and interpret regulations, determine impact, and manage change.
• Experience with strategic planning and business practices.
• The ability to manage a diverse team, think creatively and globally, project future needs, and be attuned to day-to-day Division operations is critical to success in this position
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential to this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with pre- and post-award sponsored research administration.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, MS Teams, Office 365, and Adobe Acrobat.
• The successful candidate will be responsive to the needs of both the Division and the Fred Hutch mission and promote excellence in science and research administration.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

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The annual base salary range for this position is from $126,901 to $200,574, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.  

 

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

This position may be eligible for a 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). 

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, 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 Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.