KEMI Administrator – Kren Engineering-based Medicine Institute

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

12d

About The Position

UW Medicine and the College of Engineering have an exciting opportunity for a KEMI Administrator. Kren Engineering-based Medicine Institute (KEMI) is catalyzed by a recent donation who saw the great opportunity at University Washington to leverage engineering technologies to develop real solutions for the most pressing challenges in health and healthcare together with UW Medicine. The vision of KEMI is to create an enduring and unparalleled impact by transforming health and healthcare by uniting the strengths of Medicine and Engineering through broad, interdisciplinary collaborations with a sharp focus on transformative impact. In addition, our region has a vibrant ecosystem of the tech industry partners with UW, non-profit organizations, and personal philanthropy. The Administrator serves as a key member of the KEMI administrative team. The Administrator partners with the Director in the development and implementation of strategic planning process for the institute, and manages the institute’s finance, administration, human resources, and operational activities. This role acts as the operational liaison between KEMI, UW Medicine, and the College of Engineering, assisting the Director, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The Administrator will play a pivotal role in partnering with the Director in establishing and sustaining the institute, created through a transformational philanthropic gift, and will be responsible for building the administrative foundation, governance structure, and operational framework to advance Engineering-based solutions in medicine. This position supports a wide spectrum of complex business, administrative, and operational activities within a cross-disciplinary research center across two schools/colleges. Housed in both UW Medicine and the College of Engineering, this position is expected to work collaboratively across units, promoting efficiency and strong communication and alignment. The Administrator must build strong working relationships among faculty, staff, donors, university leadership, and external partners, and must be adept at navigating a large, matrixed institution. The role requires independent judgment, strategic problem-solving, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while managing competing priorities. A grasp of the overall mission and objectives of the Institute is essential, as well as an understanding of how the practical infrastructure and support services of the Institute must be aligned to maximize the achievement of the Institutes objectives. The Administrator is regularly required to plan and attend high-level meetings and respond to questions from stakeholders, both internal and external. This is a hands-on and strategic position overseeing all operational activities of the Institute and will have a supervisory role over all staff which will grow to include administrative support, fiscal support and others.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field and three years of relevant experience.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Demonstrated competence in financial operations, business planning, financial analysis, and/or strategic planning.
Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to navigate a large, matrixed institution and industry partners
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to engage faculty, donors, and institutional leaders and funding agencies
Sufficient science and engineering background and understanding for effective communication and excellent writing skills

Nice To Haves

Seven to ten years of experience specific to the position.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; administrative creativity and strong initiative.
Experience managing a team, working in an academic institution, working with faculty across departments, or in an interdisciplinary unit.
Four or more years’ experience leading and managing a highly functional team.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative leadership for the institute, serving as a resource for all faculty and staff.
Partner with the Director in developing and implementing plans for KEMI’s growth, including evaluating the impact of current and future legislative or philanthropic funding, staffing requirements, and options for faculty and staff hiring.
Partner with the Director on the development of annual and multi-year strategic plans, including measurable milestones, timelines, and performance metrics to track progress against KEMI’s mission.
Coordinate with leadership in UW Medicine, the College of Engineering, and external partners to identify opportunities for joint initiatives, shared facilities, and co-funded research programs.
Oversee and prepare reports for the Director and other stakeholders regarding institute operations, growth, and strategic initiatives.
Translate complex financial and operational data into general summaries for leadership and advisory boards.
Develop and review drafts for institutional reports, including those for donor funding, ensuring clarity and alignment with institute goals.
Advise, support, and counsel institute leadership with accurate knowledge of organizational and institutional policies and procedures, both internal and external.
Develop, interpret, and implement institute policies, procedures, and operations, ensuring alignment with university standards and best practices.
Proactively identify and address issues before they become significant problems, navigating between big-picture strategic issues and more tactical, procedural matters.
Responsible for fiscal management of all institute resources, including gift and endowment budgets.
Exercise independent judgment on the allocation and use of these funds, maximizing efficient use and ensuring compliance with institutional policies and applicable laws and regulations.
Develop and maintain processes that ensure compliance within the institute, minimizing risk and non-compliance.
Establish financial management policies, coordinate and provide regular financial reporting to the Director and Dean’s Offices.
Lead audits by internal and external agencies, implement recommendations, and provide follow-up reports as needed.
Continually improve and oversee KEMI’s financial tracking, accounting, and reporting systems, leveraging technology and best practices.
Build strong working relationships among faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, visitors, and external partners.
Enable collaboration across the institution by building effective communications and partnerships throughout the College of Engineering, School of Medicine, and with non-UW agencies.
Oversee development of communications plans, marketing materials, and institute website content, ensuring messaging aligns with institutional strategy and donor stewardship priorities.
Respond to inquiries from the public and internal stakeholders about the institute, providing timely and accurate information.
Plan, design, and oversee high-visibility research showcase and promotional events, aligning content and execution with institutional strategy and advancement priorities.
Work both independently and in partnership with Advancement staff, on development of campaign priorities and messaging; prospect strategy; participate in the planning of campaign/donor events; attend multiple planning meetings with Advancement staff; participate in campaign committee meetings and meetings with prospects/potential donors.
Convene and lead a staff-level Development Council to create a coordinated fundraising strategy for the Institute between institutional cofounders.
Work both independently and in partnership with the Government Relations office for the planning, management and implementation of activities to educate and engage members of State legislature; coordinate and plan tours/visit with members of legislature.
Assist in development of marketing materials targeted for the legislature in support of an official ask for state funding.
Serve as a strategic resource to supervisory staff and participate in complex hiring and personnel issues involving research and administrative staff.
Manage the planning and funding of new staff positions, overseeing payroll and maintenance of leave records.
Initiate, review, and recommend personnel actions, including promotions, salary increases, employee performance evaluations, and staff training.
Foster a professional, collaborative, service-oriented, responsive, and positive work environment, modeling and mentoring professional interactions.
Plan and schedule Institute's Management Committee, Advisory Board meetings; draft meeting agenda and materials; oversee all logistics for all meetings.
Act as a staff resource to Chair of Advisory Board
Develop a plan on how Institute space will be used
Oversee space improvements as needed to meet Institute’s growing needs.
Other duties as assigned.
Participate in college/school meetings and contribute to committees.