Research Business Operations, Director

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary The Research Business Operations, Director develops the business strategy for SRALab’s portfolio of research commercialization, industry partnerships, sponsored clinical trials, research collaborations, and technology licensing initiatives that advance new therapeutic options for Shirley Ryan Ability Lab’s patient populations. In partnership with the Chief Scientific Officer, Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation, Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Administration, Medical Director of SHARE and International Programs, and SRALab’s clinical and research leaders, the Director sets priorities, evaluates opportunities, and drives enterprise-wide execution in support of Advancing Human Ability.

The Director serves as the principal strategic advisor and business partner to the Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation, helping shape commercialization and partnership priorities and translating them into executable business, clinical, and research programs. The Director co-leads portfolio strategy, opportunity assessment, contract and budget strategy, cross-functional implementation, and performance oversight for industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships. This role is accountable for ensuring that collaborations are strategically aligned, financially viable, operationally efficient, appropriately governed, and successfully executed.

Job Description The Research Business Operations, Director will:

Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and partnership strategy for research commercialization, industry-sponsored research, and technology development in alignment with the Scientific Chair’s and SRAlab’s enterprise priorities.

Direct the planning and initiation of SRAlab’s portfolio of industry-sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations, in collaboration with the Office of Research Administration, including portfolio prioritization, timelines, resource allocation, budgeting, site coordination, regulatory requirements, risk management, and performance tracking.

Lead business and financial negotiations for clinical trial agreements, research collaboration agreements, and related industry contracts in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel and Office of Research Administration, and direct the development of commercially and operationally sound budgets.

Develop and oversee financial strategies, budgets, forecasts, pricing frameworks, and negotiation parameters for sponsored research and commercialization initiatives; lead negotiations with industry sponsors, in collaboration with the Office of Research Administration, to ensure appropriate cost recovery, margin alignment, risk management, and long-term financial sustainability.

Establish cross-functional resource and staffing plans with the Office of Research Administration and SHARE leadership to support the effective execution and scalable growth of sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations.

Develop and oversee strategic relationships with partner institutions, including academic medical centers, to expand access to capabilities, sites, expertise, and other resources required for…