BBE Director of Research Operations

Director Of Research Operations

The director of research operations (DRO) provides oversight of research projects for a collaborative group of scientists in the biostatistics, bioinformatics, and epidemiology (BBE) program of the vaccine and infectious disease division at Fred Hutch. The DRO is responsible for the delivery of critical outcomes to meet overall research goals of the HIV vaccine trials network (HVTN) statistical and data management center (SDMC) and other related research projects as assigned.

The DRO reports to one of the principal investigators (PI) of the HVTN SDMC and works closely with staff of the statistical center for HIV/AIDS research and prevention (SCHARP), a unit within BBE that provides data management and statistical support to the HVTN and other clinical trial networks.

The DRO works collaboratively with the two other centers of the HVTN, the leadership and operations center and the lab center, the DRO leads the SDMC operational implementation of network and project scientific agendas and provides day-to-day management of the clinical research portfolio. The DRO works closely with the director of SDMC laboratory science and the director of SCHARP as members of the HVTN SDMC leadership team led by the SDMC PIs.

The DRO serves as the network or project PI(s) representative when needed and serves as a liaison between the PIs, SCHARP management, HVTN centers, and the leadership of external collaborative partners in the networks and projects.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect. This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely.

A cover letter is highly encouraged when applying to this position.

Program oversight and management (45%)

• Provide leadership, including setting priorities, portfolio management, and directing workflow within networks and projects in partnership with the PI(s) and subject matter experts (SMEs).
• Engage deeply in projects of critical importance such as key clinical trials.
• Set and enforce network and project policy related to protocol operations; oversee maintenance of cross-functional manuals of operations.
• Interact effectively with the scientific and organizational leadership of the networks and represent the program and the PI(s) at internal and external meetings and committees as needed.
• Monitor activities funded through the network and prioritize work to match with research/service goals keeping project leadership up to date with activities.
• Make operational and management decisions within the networks and projects in a timely manner.
• Initiate projects in support of implementation of best practices and evaluating project methodologies.
• Understand and facilitate data sharing activities within the network or projects.

Strategic planning (30%)

• Participate in strategic planning and make management decisions for networks, projects, and related research within BBE.
• Lead continuous improvement projects as requested by PI(s) and network or project leadership and identify additional areas for improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of network scientific agendas and priorities through collaboration and committee membership with other network components.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant infectious diseases research through participation in professional organizations, scientific conferences, reading industry journals, and publication of manuscripts.

Grant and financial management (25%)

• Develop and oversee network or project budgets. Review budget expenditure reports, forecasts, and effort allocation reports monthly and take corrective actions as needed to ensure project scopes are completed within budget and effort matches the work accomplished.
• Prepare and/or oversee components of quarterly and annual progress reports. The DRO is responsible for descriptions of how the aims of the grant were or will be implemented and is responsible for completing sections of grant applications in electronic systems in collaboration with research administrators.
• Develop purchased services scopes of work and oversee performance of vendors and consultants in collaboration with the BBE contracts & vendor management team.
• Manage compliance and IRB tasks for the networks and projects in collaboration with IRO and research administration team.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Minimum qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years' experience working in research and or clinical trial settings with progressively increasing management scope.
• At least 5 years supervisor experience.
• Ph.D. (or masters degree with additional experience) in immunology, virology, or quantitative health sciences, e.g. biostatistics, epidemiology, or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams of varying…