Program Operations Director

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 Program Operations Director is responsible for managing onboarding and training program activities for research administrators and general administrative staff within the Clinical Research Division (CRD) and the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division (TST). This position serves in a senior administrative role in both divisions. This position requires an understanding of sponsored research, administrative systems, program management, institutional policies and processes, and broad experience with business functions and systems, including program leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, fiscal analysis, human resources management and communication. In addition, this role will provide research administration support to one or more Principal Investigators in the areas of strategy, financial management, personnel, grants and contracts, regulatory and administrative functions. This position reports to the Associate Vice Presidents of TST and CRD.

 

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

This position works with overarching guidance from Division leadership and other Program Operations Directors/Managers to support onboarding and training of new and existing administrative staff within the CRD and TST. The Program Operations Director supervises an administrative team and oversees all day-to-day operational and administrative responsibilities for the program, maintains and develops the training curriculum for new hires as well as existing staff, sets functional strategies and objectives on operational plans that align with overall Division and organizational strategies, and provides input to Division-level strategic planning.

 

Training Program Administration

• Lead ongoing, Division-wide training activities for both Divisions on topics of relevance to the administrative teams, including new policies and processes, presentations by representatives from external departments, and other subjects of interest as determined by the Program Operations Director and Division AVPs.
• Provide individual and group training sessions for newly hired and existing research administrators and general administrative staff within each Division, working closely with hiring managers and Division leadership to define training needs and develop and implement training resources.
• Manage programmatic activities, including facilitation of presentations on topics utilizing an existing library of materials appropriate for various administrative roles within each Division.
• Maintain and update the library of training resources to ensure that they are aligned with current policies and procedures.
• Throughout the lifecycle of the training program for newly hired staff, the Program Operations Director will maintain close relationships with the new team member, the hiring manager, and the Division AVP to support success and career development within the role.

General Program Operations and Administration

 

• Lead and supervise the program administration team.
• Work in partnership with Center and Division administrative teams to ensure successful implementation and integration of programs and center-wide initiatives; regulatory compliance procedures; foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Direct and provide leadership to program administration team, to include ongoing meetings, communication and policy implementation.
• Manage and maintain the faculty grant library, program documentation, policy materials and support recurring reporting needs.
• Participate in Center and Division-led meetings, committees and special projects.

Financial and Data Management

 

• Administer 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.
• Manage grant activities including grant preparation, budget development/management, forecasting, reporting and report tools development. Provide direct support for these activities as needed. Provide support to team members in administering these activities.

HR Management

 

• Facilitate the annual staff performance management and merit review process.
• Assist the 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 team structures, submissions of employment requisitions and personnel actions, classification review, disciplinary actions, trainee and graduate student inquiries and staff training and development planning.

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:

• Prior experience with Fred Hutch Cancer Center policies, procedures, and systems.
• Prior experience in training new employees and/or development of training programs.
• 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.
• Experience in clinical trial oversight (or management) with knowledge of IRB regulations.

---

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.

---

The annual base salary range for this position is from $124,488 to $196,747, 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.