Director, Department of Programs

The Geneva Foundation • Bethesda, MD

5d

About The Position

The Director, Department of Programs (DoP) ensures Geneva’s research and development enterprise operates at the highest level of performance, accountability, and impact. This leader is charged with translating Geneva’s vision into measurable outcomes, driving execution of strategic priorities and key performance indicators (KPIs), and strengthening organizational capabilities to deliver consistent value to sponsors, partners, and employees. The Director of DoP oversees the design, growth, and management of Geneva’s research portfolios, ensuring research activities are executed with rigor, operational excellence, sustainability, and growth. By aligning people, systems, and partnerships, the Director of DoP plays a critical role in positioning Geneva as a leader in military medical research. Principle duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Health, or related field required
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in research administration, research operations, or related non-profit, academic, or government environments.
• Experience leading R&D business development in a DoD, industry, or higher education environment.
• Proven track record building pre-award capacity that actively drives proposals including capture planning, non-technical volume ownership, lay reviews, and submission readiness.
• Expertise in federal and non-federal sponsor regulations, contracts, and grants management.
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling high-performing teams with clear accountability and measurable results.
• Demonstrated financial acumen in profitability management of federally funded research and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
• Proven record of shaping and executing growth strategies that expand research funding, strengthen R&D pipelines, and build institutional partnerships.
• Strong operational acumen, with experience in compliance oversight, risk management, and QA/QC system implementation.
• Skilled in developing and applying innovative approaches, techniques, and systems modernization to improve efficiency, strengthen organizational learning, and deliver responsive services to customers.
• Exceptional communication, relationship management, and external engagement skills across a variety of stakeholder groups.
• Commitment to Geneva’s values of Integrity, Superior Customer Service, Quality, Teamwork, Innovation, and Respect for All.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, MPH, or equivalent) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual goal setting, performance monitoring, and reporting for DoP.
• Actively serve on the Department Leadership Team to ensure Geneva’s vision is translated into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes
• Ensure compliance with federal, non-federal, and Geneva regulations, including human subjects’ protection, animal welfare, intellectual property, conflict of interest, and cost-accounting standards.
• Advance modernization of enterprise systems, data, and QA/QC processes to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and decision-making.
• Benchmark Geneva’s practices against leading institutions to adopt and execute best-in-class standards.
• Conduct risk analyses and develop mitigation strategies to reduce organizational vulnerabilities.
• Oversee departmental budget development, monitoring, and variance management to ensure responsible growth and resource optimization.
• Deliver accurate and timely reporting of meaningful metrics to demonstrate performance, customer satisfaction, and strategic impact.
• Manage long-term planning for research operations, aligning people, infrastructure, and technology with growth projections.
• Work with Finance to articulate audit readiness and ensure audit-ready records within DoP.
• In coordination with Senior Leadership, direct business development strategy through the Associate Director of BD, ensuring sustainable growth of Geneva’s R&D portfolios.
• Cultivate and steward sponsor relationships and external collaborations to increase Geneva’s visibility and competitiveness.
• Represent Geneva at conferences, symposia, and policy forums to enhance Geneva’s reputation and thought leadership.
• Recruit, develop, and lead DoP personnel including the Associate Directors of DoP and R&D Business Development (BD).
• Build and sustain a culture of accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity across the department.
• Provide direction, mentorship, and development opportunities to ensure professional growth, peak performance, and employee retention.
• Set and socialize an intentional culture and expected behaviors aligned to the mission and core values; model them visibly.
• Drive cross-departmental alignment and execution in partnership with Finance, People Operations, Information Management/Security, and Corporate Strategy & Communications.
• Ensure all staff comply with Geneva policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
• Plan and facilitate regular meetings to ensure clarity of priorities, open communication, and accountability to results.

Benefits

• Geneva's highly competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision healthcare, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings account, with employer contribution.
• Coverage is provided for employees and family members including domestic partners.
• Short-and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, Life & ADD insurance, 403b retirement plan with generous employer match, flexible leave options, 11 paid holidays per year, and up to 4 weeks of paid time off in a rolling year.
• Employees may qualify for PSLF as Geneva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees