Executive Director, PILM

MIT • Cambridge, MA

52d

About The Position

The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory (PILM) is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the Institute's chief administrative officer and strategic partner to the Director. This role involves close collaboration with the Director and faculty to ensure administrative strategy supports scientific excellence. The Executive Director will provide executive leadership in research administration, facilities, events planning, operational planning, finance, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or related scientific discipline, or equivalent experience conducting or directing federally sponsored biomedical or scientific research programs.
• A minimum of seven years of experience in higher education administration, finance, research, or regulatory administration.
• Experience working within research programs involving advanced methods (e.g. animal models, viral vectors, genome editing, human subjects research) and associated federal regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in a research-intensive university or laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal (NIH) sponsored research and administration, including proposal budgets, cost principles, and compliance.
• Experience with university financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.
• Ability to work evening/weekend hours as needed (much less than 10%).
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in related field.
• Familiarity with MIT systems such as SAP, CAC Connect, and Kuali Coeus.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate federal sponsor requirements with university budgeting and planning processes.
• Experience in balancing institutional financial planning with externally sponsored research administration.
• A minimum of ten years of supervisory experience.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Institute's chief administrative officer.
• Act as a strategic partner to the Director.
• Ensure administrative strategy enables scientific excellence.
• Integrate executive leadership in research administration, facilities, events planning, operational planning, finance, and regulatory compliance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive