Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Director of Operations is responsible for the management of the clinical science department research and administration portfolio in the School of Medicine. These activities include business planning, financial management and operations, and human resources management and operations. The administrative director will also have the responsibility for organizing complex tasks, provide leadership, advice and guidance regarding financial and administrative policies and procedures. Assignment of departments to the portfolio may change over time if funding levels have significant changes or during times of absence or restructuring. In addition, this position will work closely with the multiple affiliate Hospital's administrative personnel to assure all projects and activities are in alignment with contractual and institutional policies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Strategic operations: Provide financial and administrative leadership to the department working closely with the chairs and center directors to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the department consistent with the long-term plan of the School of Medicine. This would include participation in the strategic planning for the department, overseeing the fiscal health of the department across all missions, development and monitoring of the 3 to 5 year financial plan, monitoring progress towards goals, and ensuring the efficient operations of the department. Work with the department chairs and school's office of finance and planning to develop a 3 to 5 year business plan and annual budgets in assigned departments, plan financial strategies, and oversee the financial aspects of grant administration and applications. Plan departmental budget needs by analyzing program plans on both a short and long-range basis by considering past requirements and expenditures and present program plan. Perform needs assessment, make projections based on multiple items and variables, analyze budget variances and recommend courses of action. Prepare analytical reports and analyses. Recommend, develop and implement changes to department policies and practices. Receive assignments in the form of objectives with goals and the process by which to meet goals. Exercise judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. Identifies risks and responds accordingly. Provide priority setting and work flow analysis (25%)
Financial management: Responsible for all aspects of fiscal management, including prospective analysis of funding sources, faculty recruitment and start-up packages, endowments and development of pro-forma financial statements. Meet regularly with department and division chairs to review performance matrices. Collaborate with the department chairs and faculty in departments in order to enhance sponsored research grant programs. This includes seeking funding opportunities and guidance in application processes. Work with the grant managers to prepare monthly financial reports for individual faculty with basic and/or clinical research grants and/or programs, establishing benchmarks for budgetary review. Review analysis of staffing expenses, non-salary expense projections and annual funding to provide an opportunity for the faculty to effectively manage their individual research programs. Responsible for effort certification and year-end close. Each team will manage a research portfolio of approximately $25 million in direct spend per year. (20%)
Sponsored programs: Provide day-to-day administrative leadership for all aspects of sponsored research operations for assigned departments. This includes pre-award processing, budget preparation, grant submission, post-award grant management and financial. Assure faculty fulfillment of all obligations and responsibilities in sponsored research including complete compliance with all federal and state regulations and laws. Investigate allegations of fraud and financial compliance questions/issues using available resources such as sponsor regulations, university policies and procedures, and the network of informed individuals such as the principal investigator, departmental or research administrator, business manager, chair or dean. Coordinate with university compliance officer, audit services, and general counsel as needed. Develop and negotiate contracts and budgets with non-federal sponsors for proposed research grants. (15%)
Human resources: Oversee and manage the human resource activities for assigned departments. This includes the resolution of operational issues, design, maintenance and implementation of any changes, establishing standards and procedures adhering to university policies. Hire, train and supervise activities of grant managers, education coordinator, department assistant and human resource specialists, providing policy direction and performance/merit reviews. (15%)
Supervision/administrative operations: Hire, train, and supervise activities of support staff, providing policy direction and regular performance management. Conduct periodic meetings with direct reports and other members of the department's support team to review changes in funding, policies, and procedures and to discuss operational issues. Assign or reassign administrative tasks as needed due to changes in funding levels or absences. Approve standard operating procedures and conduct regular audit of workflow and organizational design. Conduct weekly meetings with direct reports and other members of the administrative support teams to review changes in funding, policies and procedures, and to discuss operational issues. Assign or reassign administrative tasks as needed due to changes in funding levels or absences. Be primary contact for central administrative offices. Conduct regular audits of expenditures from all funded and unfunded sources to assure compliance and to safeguard university resources. (15%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Shared resources: Monitor and ensure appropriate oversight of departmental cores and shared resources. For cores, ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place to ensure data integrity; processes result in accurate allocation of costs; utilization is maximized (within and across departments); business plans are developed, updated and monitored; and recommend establishment/maintenance / elimination of cores. For departmental shared resources, ensure the resources are maintained and in proper working order. (5%)
Physical plant: Serve as primary administrator responsible for day-to-day operational oversight of the various facilities. Manage space allocations and monitor utilization per departmental and SOM metrics. Produce and maintain space inventories and maintain university equipment inventories. Facilitate major equipment purchases and installations. (5%)
Complete the tasks assigned to staff if needed (through a complete understanding of university financial, human capital, and proposal routing systems). (<1%)
Maintain professional affiliations to enhance professional growth and remain current in the latest trends and regulations in sponsored research and financial reporting. (<1%)
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily to weekly contact: chairs and/or vice chairs of research, clinical research operations managers; clinical trials coordinators; educational coordinators; clinical and research faculty, research support staff; chair's secretary, administrative and clerical staff.
University: Daily to weekly contact with faculty and staff in assigned departments, School of Medicine's Finance and Planning office; director and staff in the office of Sponsored Research, director and staff in the school's Research office; director and staff in the office of Faculty Affairs, Human Resources, Grants Accounting; Purchasing and Accounts Payable; SOM Development office; General Counsel's office; office of Foreign Faculty and Scholars; Student Employment office; and department administrators.
External: Daily to weekly contact with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, MetroHealth Systems, UHCMC senior-level administration and finance managers; Cost and Budget department; General Accounting office; Research Management offices, Human Resources department. Daily to weekly contact with grants management staff at the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies; grant administrators at pharmaceutical companies and other institutions of higher learning, various offices of Research Administration within continental USA, vendors; physicians, patients.
Students: Regular contact with student employees.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Directly supervise 1 grant manager and 1 grant analyst TBD
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 years of meaningful related experience.
Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Experience in federal grant management is a plus.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, school and university, and with individuals outside the university. Good interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals within and external to the university. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face-to-face.
Professional and effective oral and written communication skills
Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and proven ability to successfully follow-through on assigned projects.
Effective management skills; ability to lead, train, work with, and elicit cooperation from team members and staff.
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. (Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter
Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
Excellent computer skills including mainframe applications experience; excellent mathematical skills; ability to use or learn to use financial spreadsheets, accounting software, NIH application software, database packages, PeopleSoft and Oracle financial system applications.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Typical office environment. No exposure to chemicals. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 years of meaningful related experience.
Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. Experience in federal grant management is a plus.
