Director of Network Operations

About The Job

The Director of Network Operations is responsible for providing operational oversight for the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) Coordinating Center and executing strategic priorities and projects ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and goals of the network. Directs the development and execution of MNCCTN’s operational goals, monitors and analyzes performance metrics; ensures the MNCCTN Coordinating Center (MNCCTN-CC) is appropriately resourced and research is conducted in accordance with organizational, professional, and regulatory standards.

Collaborates with executives, researchers, and operational leaders across the MNCCTN partner organizations, Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) and the University of Minnesota (UMN) to implement strategic priorities and process improvement initiatives to optimize performance. This role requires broad leadership capacity and deep technical expertise to oversee multi-site clinical trials in community sites. The MNCCTN is a multi-institutional clinical trials network dedicated to increasing access to cancer clinical trials to improve cancer outcomes across the state.

Funded by the state legislature through the MnDRIVE program, the network engages research and clinical partners to bring prevention and treatment clinical trials to cancer patients closer to home.

• Maintain a deep understanding of the strategic priorities of MNCCTN, MCC, and UMN to lead the MNCCTN Coordinating Center (MNCCTN-CC) team to execute and achieve performance targets/metrics
• Foster collaborative partnerships with MNCCTN clinical partners, across UMN, and with other external stakeholders to sustain program growth and achieve network goals
• Work closely with MCC faculty leads, ED for Clinical Research, and MNCCTN research partners to identify mutually beneficial research interests and new trial opportunities for the network
• Advise and make recommendations to executive leadership regarding MNCCTN portfolio performance, site activity and challenges
• Collaborate with leadership and external partners to identify revenue generating sponsored opportunities and promote interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Continually assess and improve quality and efficiency of services by identifying and monitoring KPIs
• Execute communications plans and MNCCTN-CC initiatives that support strategic goals and objectives

• Ensure efficient execution of MNCCTN clinical trials by overseeing the development and implementation of policies, SOPs, data infrastructure, and site performance metrics
• Oversee MNCCTN-CC team, delegating day-to-day trial operations and team management responsibilities as appropriate
• Oversee study prioritization, feasibility, and portfolio composition, collaborating closely with the MNCCTN Medical Director, network partners, and MCC senior leadership
• Monitor study feasibility, site performance, and KPIs; translate data into actionable insights for executive leadership decision-making
• Lead cross-site engagement with research staff, investigators, and partners to troubleshoot barriers and ensure study success
• Promote risk-based and quality-by-design approaches to streamline study start-up, implementation, and monitoring
  
  Ensure effective use and tracking of MNCCTN clinical trial funding internally and with external partners, in collaboration with MCC financial leadership
  
  Collaborate with MCC leadership to align financial model with portfolio strategy
• Ensure infrastructure, training, and guidance are in place to support compliant, efficient, and ethical clinical research across all partner sites

• Lead, mentor, and support MNCCTN-CC staff, ensuring adequate team size, structure, and resources to achieve strategic priorities
• Set clear performance goals, delegate effectively, and foster a collaborative, accountable culture
• Align staff expertise with organizational priorities and encourage professional growth
• Exercise full supervisory authority, including hiring, assigning work, evaluating performance, rewarding, and recommending promotion or discipline

• Remain informed…