Chief of Staff, Programs

The Geneva Foundation•Rockville, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Staff (CoS), Programs is the senior internal operational leader responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and execution of operations within a research environment. The CoS provides integrated leadership across scientific support operations, technical and non-technical personnel management, program execution, administrative functions, and financial oversight. While the Principal Investigator (PI) retains authority over scientific direction and technical judgment, the CoS holds formal supervisory authority over all Geneva-employed personnel and is accountable for operational performance, compliance, and workforce effectiveness. This is an embedded role, requiring daily presence in the laboratory environment to ensure operational readiness, staff supervision, and real-time execution. QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s degree (or higher) in Business Administration, Health Administration, Science or Engineering field, or a related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research operations, laboratory management and operation, or complex program operations within a federal, academic, nonprofit, or government-affiliated research environment. 10+ years’ experience in developing research program strategies and plans. Demonstrated experience supervising multidisciplinary technical and non-technical personnel in an in-person setting. 8+ years’ direct experience interpreting and implementing federal and non-federal sponsor guidelines and regulations required. Strong working knowledge of sponsored research operations, internal controls, and compliance requirements. Experience overseeing the financial execution of research programs, including coordination with finance team on budgeting, expenditure tracking, forecasting, and resource allocation in a sponsored research environment. Experience working with DoD-affiliated research environments preferred. Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Operations Director, or equivalent internal leadership role. Able to exercise independent judgment in fast-paced, high-pressured environment with strict deadlines and to manage multiple projects. Excellent communication skills with the proven ability to convert strategic vision into sound operating business plans and processes with the experience necessary to effectively focus and motivate employees. Proven ability to solve complex technical and management problems in a timely and professional manner. Must be flexible with changing priorities and able to communicate in a diplomatic and professional manner.

Requirements

Master’s degree (or higher) in Business Administration, Health Administration, Science or Engineering field, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research operations, laboratory management and operation, or complex program operations within a federal, academic, nonprofit, or government-affiliated research environment.
10+ years’ experience in developing research program strategies and plans.
Demonstrated experience supervising multidisciplinary technical and non-technical personnel in an in-person setting.
8+ years’ direct experience interpreting and implementing federal and non-federal sponsor guidelines and regulations required.
Strong working knowledge of sponsored research operations, internal controls, and compliance requirements.
Experience overseeing the financial execution of research programs, including coordination with finance team on budgeting, expenditure tracking, forecasting, and resource allocation in a sponsored research environment.
Able to exercise independent judgment in fast-paced, high-pressured environment with strict deadlines and to manage multiple projects.
Excellent communication skills with the proven ability to convert strategic vision into sound operating business plans and processes with the experience necessary to effectively focus and motivate employees.
Proven ability to solve complex technical and management problems in a timely and professional manner.
Must be flexible with changing priorities and able to communicate in a diplomatic and professional manner.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with DoD-affiliated research environments preferred.
Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Operations Director, or equivalent internal leadership role.

Responsibilities

Serve as the most senior Geneva employee on-site, with full supervisory responsibility for all Geneva personnel.
Oversee research operations and employee productivity, ensuring team members thrive and research priorities, goals, and objective key results (OKRs) are achieved on schedule.
Directly supervise scientific support staff, technical research personnel, non-technical program management staff, and administrative personnel.
Lead recruiting, onboarding, performance management, coaching, corrective action, and professional development in coordination with Geneva People Operations.
Develop and mentor staff to strengthen technical capability, operational discipline, and internal leadership capacity.
Foster disciplined, collaborative, and mission-driven laboratory culture.
Assure all Geneva employees comply with The Geneva Foundation and Federal site policies, procedures, and SOPs.
Collaborate with leadership to set annual goals and communicate vision to broader team.
Provide regular operational, technical and financial updates to leadership.
Assess and design internal operations, identify areas of process enhancement, and lead successful execution of change management plans to deliver efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
Collaborate with Geneva corporate personnel and Principal Investigators (PIs) on audits, administration, and regulatory compliance activities.
Own day-to-day internal operations laboratory, translating scientific priorities and institutional requirements into executable operational plans.
Ensure operational readiness of laboratory and office environments, including space utilization, equipment coordination, safety practices, and continuity of operations.
Oversee non-technical program management functions, including schedules, milestones, deliverables, internal reporting, and coordination across teams.
Serve as the primary internal coordination point for operational engagement to ensure timely and compliant completion of required research, administrative, and educational activities.
In collaboration with leadership, develop and effectively implement fiscal and financial operational strategies, initiatives, and resource management plans.
In conjunction with research statements of work and timelines and Geneva Finance, conduct budget and operational analysis, budget forecasts and recommend options for novel approaches and cost-effective strategies.
Develop and manage financial reporting in coordination with Geneva finance, program management personnel, and portfolio personnel.
Analyze and track program requirements and funding in the near to medium term time horizon (one to five years).
Optimize staff, materials, and equipment through monitoring expenditures and outcomes.
Ensure optimal use of funds and personnel to meet research and educational mission.