Director, Scientific Operations & Partnerships

Director, Scientific Operations & Partnerships – Cell Science

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life, and to advance health. Our creative and multi‑dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Cell Science is to create multi‑scale visual models of cell organization, dynamics, and activities. Our approach encompasses large‑scale data collection, observation, theory, and predictions to understand cellular behavior in normal and pathological contexts. As a division within the Allen Institute, the Allen Institute for Cell Science uses a team‑oriented approach, focusing on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a transformational impact on science.

We are seeking a Director, Scientific Operations & Partnerships to help lead and scale the next phase of the Cell Scapes initiative — a long‑term effort to understand how cells organize into functional multicellular systems and apply this understanding to engineer the programmable tissues of the future.

This is a highly collaborative leadership role focused on enabling ambitious, interdisciplinary science through organizational integration, operational coordination, and ecosystem building. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and serving as a key member of the Cell Scapes leadership team, the Director will help drive scientific momentum across programs, strengthen cross‑functional alignment, build external partnerships, and support the continued evolution of Cell Scapes as a collaborative scientific hub.

The ideal candidate is an emotionally intelligent and system‑oriented leader who combines operational excellence with strong relationship‑building skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to create clarity, momentum, and cohesion in complex and fast‑moving environments.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone — and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

• Lead operational coordination and integration across Cell Scapes scientific programs and initiatives
• Oversee and partner closely with Operational Specialist, Senior supporting operational functions and excellence at the interface of Cell Scapes with Allen Institute administrative and scientific teams
• Partner closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to help scale organizational effectiveness, alignment, and execution
• Identify and remove organizational and operational bottlenecks that limit scientific progress, collaboration, or decision‑making
• Oversee scientific program management team and workflows supporting Cell Scapes initiatives
• Establish and maintain effective mechanisms for prioritization, communication, accountability, and cross‑functional coordination
• Help ensure scientific initiatives move forward efficiently while maintaining a collaborative, mission‑driven culture
• Partner with scientific and operational leaders to support strategic planning, implementation, and organizational adaptability
• Facilitate leadership coordination and follow‑through across major organizational priorities

• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships across academia, industry, foundations, and the broader scientific community
• Help position Cell Scapes as a collaborative hub through partnerships, workshops, scientific convenings, and community‑building initiatives
• Identify opportunities to…