Research Operations Director, Dog Aging Project

Tufts University•Boston, MA

About The Position

The mission of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators examine how nutrition and physical activity play a role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging. The Metabolism and Basic Biology of Aging research directive focuses on understanding cellular and molecular processes that contribute to age-related disease, as well as the role of nutrition in regulating the underlying mechanisms that promote healthy aging. Dr. Daniel Promislow, Senior Scientist at the HNRCA, is the Principal Investigator of the Dog Aging Project. Founded in 2018, the Dog Aging Project is a fully operational, long-term longitudinal study of healthy aging in more than 50,000 companion dogs from across the United States. The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify the genetic and environmental factors that influence healthy aging, and to understand how these factors shape aging. This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay. This is also a 5-year limited term project/position.

Requirements

Advanced degree in health or biological sciences or related field (i.e., bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, public health, etc.), and/or business or equivalent work experience
Five years of experience in a combination of strategy, operations, clinical or biological research, genetics or genomics, data analytics, program management, administration, communication and financial management
Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to appropriately manage stakeholders, as well as balance multiple workstreams and competing priorities
A strong collaborative mindset that enables the ability to interact with, influence, and act on many internal and external organizational levels
Comfort with large amounts of data and information, and the ability to accept and channel ambiguity into project frameworks
Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and to engender trust
Strong analytical skills, solid business acumen, and the ability to span stakeholders
Experience synthesizing information and presenting concepts to constituents across a wide range of fields (scientific, clinical, information technology, finance, etc.)
Ability to identify and solve problems, analyze data and implement and troubleshoot solutions
Ability to maintain the best interest of the the Dog Aging Project, amidst competing priorities and conflicting feedback from a variety of constituents
Excellent verbal and written communication as well as editing skills
Proven proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Drive Suite (Doc, Sheets, and Slides)
Reliability, integrity, grace-under-pressure

Nice To Haves

Background in research with a strong understanding of data and sample acquisition process development
Experience directing multi-year, multi-phase, multi-institutional projects or programs
Exposure to the principles of organizational dynamics

Responsibilities

Manage the strategic operations for the program, including working closely with Principal Investigator and Program Directors to adjust and meet overall program goals
Establish a detailed execution plan for each component of the program
Ensure operational readiness for implementation of goals outlined by the program
Oversee execution of each component of the program and be accountable for program progress
Build on the strong executive, business and technical relationships among program leaders, staff and partners to ensure timely completion of defined programmatic goals
Oversee major program workstream, collaborations, and some day-to-day management of activities, as needed
Involvement in execution of and compliance with agreements, carrying out scientific tasks or workstreams to meet project deadlines, forming connections and maintaining communication with external scientific collaborators and other external partners
Pay particular attention to partner relationships and manage the interests of the HNRCA and Tufts University as well as its partner institutions
Connect with stakeholders from many functional areas of several organizations at many organizational levels, encompassing a team of ~100 individuals
Act as part program manager, ensuring deadlines are met to drive the Dog Aging Project work product
Act as part diplomat, gaining alignment and collaboration to ensure all interests are met
Manage Dog Aging Project program operations with partner institutions to build infrastructure, acquire data and samples, analyze project data and provide program outputs
Track and support progress towards milestones throughout the project
Drive, track and report on Dog Aging Project progress to internal and external partners, including contract development and relationship management with external vendors and partners
Participate in creating strategies for successful execution of Dog Aging Project operational and scientific goals, including collaborating with parties throughout partner institutions, as well as with partners leading ancillary studies, to accomplish project goals
Provide budgetary oversight working with the accounting and finance team
Supervise staff members within administrative core and provide training and mentoring to junior team members/direct reports
Manage and facilitate resolution of program operation risks or issues; plan and implement contingencies, as appropriate
Identify opportunities and implement solutions to improve team dynamics, interactions and overall collaborative spirit
Lead and facilitate meetings as required (e.g. Scientific Priorities Team, Operational Priorities Team, etc.)
Develop, maintain and implement operational SOPs, processes, and training to ensure cross-team efficiency