Assistant Dean, Research Operations

Position Description:

Every great life-changing discovery begins the same way-with new knowledge. It can change everything, from a single life to the future of entire communities. That's why academic medicine, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge, is at the center of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).

The Office of Research helps to facilitate life-saving biomedical research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Nine distinct units provide specialized support to meet the administrative needs of our investigators and research staff, and together we coordinate, regulate, and monitor research studies. Our Administrative Unit provides leadership, coordination, and support for department personnel and unique programs and services.

The Assistant Dean Research Operations serves as a key department leader of the Office of Research and champion for the research mission and is an institutional leader and subject matter expert. As the primary operational lead for the department, the Assistant Dean Research Operations oversees the function for all nine units in the Office of Research and maintains overall responsibility for successful execution of processes, procedures, and services. The Assistant Dean Research Operations works closely with unit leaders to advise and counsel on issues as needed, and to develop effective and efficient processes in order to provide best-in-class service to the MCW research community while assuring compliance with governmental and institutional policies. The Assistant Dean Research Operations guides the strategic growth and vision for the Office of Research in a dyad partnership with the Senior Associate Dean for Research (SADR)/Associate Provost for Research and is closely connected other institutional leaders from all missions.

The Assistant Dean Research Operations partners with senior research leadership, affiliate institutions, other mission leaders, regional campuses, and local thought leaders to identify opportunities for growth, develop and lead key initiatives, and inform strategic efforts and future planning. The Assistant Dean Research Operations is expected to maintain awareness of national trends in research administration, operations, and policy, to speak to the institution's role in the regional and national landscape and to utilize a data-driven and consultative approach to problem solving. The Assistant Dean Research Operations serves on relevant high-level committees, both strategic and operational, to provide essential mission perspective, promote the institutional research portfolio, and contribute to key deliverables or lead projects. In addition to liaising with department leaders and subject matter experts in critical service lines, the Assistant Dean Research Operations also maintains relationships with department and center administrators to advice and counsel on issues as needed.

Primary Functions

• Participate in strategic planning efforts and lead mission-critical initiatives; promote best practices and advocate for the research mission internally and externally.
• Lead research mission projects with affiliate partners and key stakeholders involving process integration and resource planning.
• Represent the MCW research mission with key stakeholders, including adult and pediatric clinical partners, affiliates, government agencies, sponsors, and other external groups.
• Evaluate and guide research projects and activities related to MCW-wide research endeavors to ensure that facilities, procedures, processes, and operations reinforce MCW's research standards, which includes reporting status and other critical indicators.
• Oversee operational planning for the MCW research enterprise, advising the SADR/Associate Provost for Research and other research leaders on resource needs and workforce plans.
• Track performance of research investments and forecast multi-year resource needs based on submissions and work with SADR/Associate Provost for Research to identify and prioritize capital and other funding sources.
• Develop annual budget. Monitor expenditures in relation to established budget, develop budget controls and reports, and analyze data against benchmarks.
• Provide mentorship of Center Administrators and partner with the SADR/Associate Provost for Research on oversight of six School of Medicine wide Canters.
• Advocate for investigators and study teams to remove barriers, develop services, leverage skills and strengths, exploit opportunities, and improve the overall institutional research experience in innovative and thoughtful ways, negotiating for resources as needed.
• In partnership with Finance, HR, research-intensive departments and Office of the Dean of the Medical School, support the development and implementation of workforce plans identifying projected recruitments and resources needed to support them.
• Liaise with and advise the Institutional Research Cores Program Director in overseeing operational functions of institutional research cores, integrating operations where possible to achieve efficient resource use while appropriately meeting the needs of investigators and departments.
• Oversee research space management and space assignment, identifying and prioritizing options for space requirements for startup packages and existing researchers; participate in institutional space management committees and resource advisory groups.
• Assist in shaping policy that shapes overall direction of the research enterprise in collaboration with internal and external boards and committees.
• Serve on various committees to represent the Research Office and MCW at large, which may require problem-solving or negotiation.
• Oversee operations, workforce planning and financials related to research functions, including: Biomedical Resource Center (BRC), Grants and Contracts, MCW Libraries, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Clinical Research Facilitation, Office of Technology Development (OTD), Radiation and MRI Safety, and research technology systems to ensure continuity and compliance.
• Oversee and mentor multidisciplinary professionals to support career and project advancement in order to advance MCW's research portfolio.
• Oversee research administrative systems and prioritize IS-related needs including development and ongoing support to promote efficiencies for the research team in managing compliant research.
• Utilize appropriate performance metrics and trend data to ensure that adequate resources are available in support of research grant awards and that targeted research efforts at the department level are met.
• Support preparation of documents for research accreditation and responses to safety or efficacy inquiries.
• Supervise Office of Research administrative personnel, evaluate performance, and delegate tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Schedule:



Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs.

Position Requirements:

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills - principles and people. Plan design, management, and fiduciary experience. Demonstrates a firm grasp of resource allocation and resource management. Strong presence and engaging personal presentation style that encourages consensus building and cooperation among faculty and administrators and commands a financial/executive presence.
• Ability to work in partnership with faculty and staff and learners and executive leaders within and beyond MCW. A powerful grasp of the challenging issues facing research, medical science, and education today. Understand the complex financial issues facing medical schools and academic medical centers. Ability to assess MCW's position in light of the current and anticipated complexities facing academic medical centers and articulate a compelling vision about how to move MCW to a position of national prominence. Understands local, state, and federal laws related to human subject research or animal research or biomedical research.
• Results-oriented thought leader. Exhibits good judgment and decision-making and uses deductive reasoning and complex problem-solving skills. Incorporates advanced communication skills in all discussions, including the use of persuasion, negotiation, building consensus, and public speaking. Exhibits proficiency in technical and business writing. Exemplifies leadership qualities of integrity and trust and succeeds in building relationships.
• Ability to mentor and assess people or efforts in a compassionate and goal-driven manner.

Specifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

Minimum Required Education: MBA or related degree

Minimum Required Experience: 15 years of experience in biomedical research operations leadership

Field: Business Administration, Accounting, or Information Systems

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Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area. MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine. MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination


The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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