Director, Business Operations (Office of Science and Research)
About The Position
The Director of Business Operations leads performance management and process improvement for key clinical research operations (CRO) and sponsored research operations (SRO) units in the Office of Science & Research. Reporting to the Senior Director of Business Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and the Center for Biospecimen Research and Development, the Director oversees a Program Manager and Program Coordinator and partners with CRO and SRO unit directors and OSR leadership. The role designs and implements process reengineering, dashboards, and tools to enhance the efficiency, quality, and financial sustainability of clinical and sponsored research operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, healthcare administration, public administration, life sciences, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, clinical research operations, or sponsored projects administration in an academic medical center, research-intensive university, or large health system.
- Demonstrated experience in business operations, performance management, process improvement, and project/program management in a complex, matrixed environment.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with data analysis, dashboards, and reporting tools.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively with leadership, faculty, and administrative partners.
- Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, MPA, or related field).
- Experience leading business operations for clinical research or sponsored research administration units.
- Formal training in process improvement (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and/or project management (e.g., PMP).
- Experience developing operational dashboards and resource management tools.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a business operations team focused on performance improvement, analytics, and project management in support of clinical and sponsored research.
- Monitor and assess operational performance across supported units using KPIs, dashboards, and analytic reports aligned with OSR strategic priorities.
- Lead strategic operational initiatives and business process reengineering across clinical and sponsored research lifecycles, including study start-up, contracting, budgeting, award set-up, and post-award activities; redesign workflows, optimize systems, and implement new business processes and tools.
- Manage a program management function to oversee cross-functional initiatives and ensure timely, high-quality execution.
- Design and implement resource management tools to assess workload, staffing needs, and capacity, and review staffing and resource requests in collaboration with OSR leadership and finance.
- Serve as a key liaison to departmental administrators, investigators, and central offices, ensuring clear communication of operational expectations, process changes, and performance results.
- Partner with MCIT to optimize systems that support clinical and sponsored research operations.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of operational SOPs and guidance documents governing business processes in the research enterprise.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits and wellness package.
- Financial security benefits.
- Generous time-off program.
- Employee resource groups for peer support.
- Holistic employee wellness program covering physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, social, financial, and preventive care.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
