Director of Administration and Operations

Department

BSD CCC - Comprehensive Cancer Center

About the Department

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) scientific programs, multidisciplinary working groups, disease-oriented teams, and the provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 210 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $52 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $23 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts, and $8M in training projects. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, patient education and support, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management, education and training, and community outreach. Reporting directly to the Comprehensive Cancer Center Director, the Director for Administration and Operations is a key member of the leadership team, which is responsible for the establishment and execution of programmatic research priorities that enables the Comprehensive Cancer Center to fulfill its mission and vision. For purposes of the grant that supports UCCCC designation by the NCI, the Director for Administration and Operations serves as the Associate Director for Administration for the CCSG.

Job Summary

The Director for Administration and Operations (DA) reports to the Dean for Oncology in the BSD and Director of the UCCCC, and is directly responsible for, all matters pertaining to the administration of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) including but not limited research; training and education; and strategic planning programs of the UCCCC. The principal role of the Director for Administration and Operations is to fulfill the mission of the UCCCC and to oversee the full range of activities and responsibilities of the UCCCC research administration. The Director for Administration and Operations will oversee strategic planning, research administration, shared resources, CCSG preparation, financial and budgetary leadership, and informatics support across clinical trials and research activities. The role collaborates with associate directors and executive committee of the UCCCC and stakeholders in Clinical Research, Population Sciences, CRTEC, Shared Resources, and Community Outreach & Engagement as well as other key stakeholders to identify operational strategies for growth across all oncology-related disciplines that is consistent with UCCCC’s mission and in alignment with its strategic plan.

This is a vital leadership role and will have a significant impact on the future of cancer research and care at the University of Chicago. Candidates with experience in complex academic or healthcare settings are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the entire scope of planning, operations and resource management for UCCCC research enterprise.

• Works directly with the Dean for Oncology in the BSD and Director of the UCCCC in defining and prioritizing specific needs related to the center’s mission and developing objectives and strategies to meet those needs.

• Directs and plans all financial operations, oversees technology support operations for research operations, provides leadership for management of all space, facilities, shared resources and capital needs.

• Has management responsibility for all finances, programs, research operations, and human resources issues in the UCCCC.

• Serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations, administrative units of the University as well as to national and local advocacy and funding organization.

• Provides input and executes the mission-driven, strategic planning, and evaluation efforts for the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center.

• Is responsible for the administrative infrastructure, preparation, submission and management of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) and serves as the primary administrative liaison to the NIH/NCI.

• Oversees the management of all research-relevant Center components, including financial operations of the Center (e.g., operating budgets, grants and contracts, and philanthropic funds), the Cancer Clinical Trials Support Office, Shared Resources, Office of Community Engagement, education programs, Office of Education and Career Development and information technology.

• Works closely with relevant University of Chicago Medicine units including Marketing and Communications, website teams, development office, and government and public relations to ensure appropriate integration and alignment of priorities and activities.

• Serves as the administrative point of contact for HR, facilities, finance, and marketing, and plays a lead role in developing infrastructure necessary to support CCSG submission.

• Participates in oversight and integration of research and clinical programs.

• Provides expertise and assistance in developing successful multi-investigator, large-scale grant submissions that are critical to the mission of the Center (e.g., P01s, SPOREs, T32s, U54s, etc.).

• Assists the Director of the Cancer Center with faculty and staff recruitment as directed.

• Facilitates interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaboration and translational research.

• Leads activities related to the Executive Committee, External Advisory Committee and other committees of the UCCCC.

• Creates and implements new programs, initiatives, and policies for the UCCCC.

• Works closely with faculty, trainees and other leaders across campus to foster research and multi-disciplinary inquiry by coordinating and developing Center programming. This may include workshops, Conferences, colloquia, training programs, community outreach, etc.

• Collaborates with the Chief Administrative Officer of the Cancer Service Line.

• Attend national meetings specific for administration of NCI Designated cancer centers.

• Provides strategic leadership for a Center with senior management and serves as a liaison to academic departments, professional organizations and administrative units of the University.

• Manages multiple related teams. Establishes department priorities, is responsible for the management of the center budget, allocates resources and executes strategic plans.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in business or a related field, e.g., MBA, MPH or PhD.

Experience:

• Ten years of directly related experience in the academic research setting.

• 5 years of direct supervisory experience.

• A background in science is strongly preferred but not required.

• Knowledge of Cancer Centers, CCSG grants or equivalent specialized academic institutions.

• Strategic planning, including setting goals and milestones.

• Familiarity with federal grant policies and procedures.

• Familiarity with NCI guidelines for Comprehensive Cancer Centers and Cancer Center Support Grant.

​Preferred Competencies

• A builder, a visionary, a leader, and a focused and goal-oriented manager.

• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization as well as develop productive inter-institutional and inter-agency relationships locally, regionally, and nationally.

• Demonstrates strong skills in organization, planning and evaluation, and oral and written communications.

• Experience developing individual, institutional, and large-scale multi-project cancer research proposals (NIH and other peer-reviewed agencies or equivalent).

• Demonstrates ability to lead groups from diverse professional areas and operates comfortably at a variety of organizational levels to achieve results.

• Acts proficiently and professionally in unstructured situations.

• Works well with little direction, though able to accept direction as necessary.

• Demonstrates skills in conflict management and possesses excellent interpersonal skills.

• Strong strategic leadership, financial, and operational skills.

• Deep knowledge of CCSG and NCI cancer center infrastructure strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

• Office/Clinical Setting.

• Able to sit and stand for extended periods.

• Able to lift 15lbs as needed.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$240,000.00 - $320,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

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