Associate Vice President, Division Operations, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. The only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch’s global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy, and COVID-19 vaccines has confirmed our reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy, and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.   

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD) addresses the growing need for treatment and prevention strategies for infectious diseases worldwide. VIDD’s mission is to accelerate knowledge of effective immunity and create innovative approaches that can prevent new infections and treat or cure infection-related diseases. VIDD is comprised of three research programs—Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Epidemiology (BBE), Immunology & Vaccine Development (IVD), and Infectious Disease Sciences (IDS).

The AVP, Division Operations will oversee the administrative management services for the Division and its research programs.  Areas of broad responsibility include directing administration and operations, budget development and management, personnel management, space planning, pre- and post-award grants management activities, and facilitating staffing support to Division faculty.  The AVP, Division Operations is the key representative for the Division, for senior administrative decisions and policy development.  The AVP, Division Operations is responsible for the overall management of administration, grant and fiscal operations for the Division for a combined annual portfolio of over $250M.The AVP, Division Operations works with the Division Director and faculty executive leadership and related committees to facilitate strategic planning and other Division-wide initiatives.

The AVP, Division Operations will report directly to the Division Director and Senior Vice President and have a matrixed (dotted line) report to the Vice President, Research Administration.

 

Responsibilities

Division Leadership

• Promote, facilitate and support high quality research through the development and oversight of efficient, well-tailored administrative functions.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Division and Center and leverage the unique talents of others.
• Steer the selection/hiring, development and oversight of operational/administrative staff for the division.
• Build, maintain and promote seamless and effective relationships across research and administrative areas of Fred Hutch.
• Provide effective communication across the Division, expressing ideas concisely while ensuring appropriate cascade of information.
• Adapt readily to new situations and take action to tackle difficult problems.
• Respect and respond to the perspectives of different functional areas/stakeholders in the organization.
• Remain current on and readily adapt to external conditions affecting the organization.
   

General Division Operations and Administration

• Manage the general administration of the Division and its research programs. Serve as the liaison between science and administration to support the Division and Center; collaborate and coordinate with external partners.
• Support the Division Director in carrying out divisional duties, such as:
  • Management of space usage and allocation;
  • Oversight of faculty affairs office to ensure that faculty recruitment, appointments and reviews follow Center policy guidelines;
  • Risk management including but not limited to conflict of interest review, processes and policies.

• Work in partnership with central administrative teams to ensure successful delivery of division specific and enterprise-wide initiatives; foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide advice and support to faculty, staff and other Center administrative and leadership groups as requested.
• Represent the Division perspective in a variety of settings/meetings/committees.
• With peer divisional AVPs, lead initiatives that span divisions and support Center and divisional strategic goals.
• Standardize and evolve division administrative activities and programs.
• Support the Division Director in developing the Division strategic plans; oversee the developing of Division operational and business plans to successfully realize identified priorities; lead new initiatives, pilot programs, and program development and based on results, recommend and implement adjustments and modifications.
• Manage and advocate for the space allocation and facilities needs for the Division in partnership with the Facilities Department and Center Leadership.
• Coordinate and distribute data specific to Center information services to ensure that faculty and staff have necessary computer support, access to computerized databases and are well informed of issues affecting their work.
• Integrate knowledge of policies and compliance infrastructure for Fred Hutch to guide implementation within the Division.  Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and other regulations associated with the management of grant and contract awards, non-sponsored funding, and Division operations. Collaborate with internal audit to review and improve processes.
• Support the development of effective scientific collaborations associated with assigned projects.
• Perform specific duties and responsibilities as requested.

Financial Management:

• Oversee the preparation, management and monitoring of the Division's annual budget and oversee grant and contracts awards to support the work of faculty and staff.
• Provide regular financial reporting to the Division Director on sponsored and non-sponsored funding. Compile, interpret and communicate financial information to various Division and Center stakeholders.
• Support the Division Director in division-wide planning, long-range financial planning, major equipment acquisitions, and new initiatives.

HR Management:

• Facilitate the Division's talent management activities including annual staff and faculty merit review processes, employment requisitions and personnel actions, classification review, disciplinary actions, trainee and graduate student appointment changes and staff training and development planning, while ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion values are embedded in programs and practices.
• Support the Division Director in negotiating and facilitating faculty arrivals and departures, particularly wind-downs.
• Provide administrative support for aspects of faculty recruitment, appointment and promotion.

VIDD-Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversee the administration and provide timely support/response on all action items for the VIDD Executive Committee and Faculty Advisory Committee.

International and Clinic Operations:

• Provide operating guidance on the systems and processes for international subsidiaries including payroll operations and processes, benefit planning, financial oversight, emergency preparedness and related activities.
• Facilities oversight for existing and future lease/acquisition opportunities, business negotiations, planning, implementation and costing (lab, office and potential clinic locations as well as field operations coordination).
• Oversee the negotiation and management of subcontracts/sub-agreements associated with the above functions.
• Systems and Infrastructure support for Complex Grants, Contracts and Teams
• Advocacy with Center executive leadership and oversight for systems, processes, infrastructure updates and integration across VIDD for large national and international network grants and agreements.
• Oversight for overall reporting to executive leadership for financial health and ad-hoc reporting requirements and requests related to VIDD’s complex and high-profile grants, contracts and teams.
• Support for operations, negotiations and facilities needs for sponsor and Center funded clinics.

  Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years’ of progressively responsible administrative management experience, including pre-award and post-award activities, grant and contract budgeting; supervision; and planning in a health care, research, biotech or governmental agency environment.
• A minimum of seven years management-level experience, preferably in a research institute or academic environment.
• Experience in leading a diverse team, thinking creatively and globally, projecting future needs, and being attuned to the day-to-day division operations.
• Demonstrated experience in research administration, strategic planning and business planning practices.
• Demonstrated experience effectively collaborating with senior leadership (Vice President and Executive levels).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully operate in and lead a complex, matrixed and high performing organization.
• Experience working in a mission driven environment where values and engagement are expected at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• The successful candidate will promote scientific excellence and be responsive to the needs of the Division and Center mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health or related field.
• Understanding of the NIH grant system is highly desired.
• Experience with industry and foundation sponsors of research activities.
   

Key Skills and Abilities

• A demonstrated ability to lead complex decision-making and processes effectively and to nurture a culture in service and support to the research efforts of faculty.
• A proven track record of providing visionary leadership and effective management of a complex department, unit or organization.
• Proactively identify and respond to emerging challenges in research administration in partnership with key stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Proven ability to improve processes resulting in greater effectiveness and service.
• Ability to build, motivate and supervise a team including other senior leaders.
• Active listening and building trust across various research and administrative teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Positive attitude and sense of humor.

 

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations.
As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

  Our Commitment to Diversity We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.