Director of Translational Research Operations

Posted Job Title

Director of Translational Research Operations

Job Profile Title

Director D, Research

Job Description Summary

The Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H) at the University of Pennsylvania aims to translate immune data into clinically actionable measurements, drive new discoveries, and shift paradigms of clinical care. I3H is seeking a Director for the Translational Research Unit who bridges scientific research with business and commercial goals.

This position serves as a senior leader responsible for developing operational workflows for routine scientific outputs, managing budgets, overseeing projects from conception to completion, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The Director will translate complex scientific deliverables into robust operational pipelines to ensure financial sustainability, scientific integrity, and professionalism.

The Director will manage the Translational Research Unit staff, develop and implement strategic objectives aligned with the larger goals of Immune Health, and support financial management and growth of the service center. This includes identifying and proposing improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle; collaborating on service rate development and billing oversight; establishing QA/QC protocols; establishing and ensuring digital chain of custody for samples; and serving as the primary point-of-contact for internal and external investigators. and serving as the primary point-of-contact for internal and external investigators. The individual should have proven experience in organizational growth, change leadership, and building high-functioning teams, preferably in a biomedical science environment. The individual should have exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to represent the organization effectively at local, national, and global levels.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Manage a team of operations and scientific professionals, setting and monitoring goals, addressing performance challenges, and overseeing hiring and onboarding for Translational Research Unit staff.

• Develop business and product strategies; work with the Director of Immune Health to align goals and strategy of the Translational Unit with overall goals of Immune Health.

• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop updated service rates, oversee billing for services, and provide quarterly reports capturing itemized expenditures and revenue.

• Serve as point-of-contact for internal and external investigators interested in using Translational Research Unit services; ensure seamless communication for new study planning and onboarding.

• Establish and oversee QA and QC protocols for each service in the Translational Research Unit, ensuring data is routinely recorded, organized, and stored; create and oversee project trackers.

• Identify and propose improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle, working with the Assistant Directors of Processing and Platforms.

• Lead conceptual development and maintenance of client-facing website; develop internal- and external-facing tracking system for clinical cohorts and services in collaboration with the data infrastructure team.

• Work collaboratively with the Director of R&D to develop and implement new services; partner with communications staff to develop marketing materials; draft and negotiate MOUs for external partners.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years or Master of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.The individual should have proven experience in organizational growth, change leadership, and building high-functioning teams in a biomedical science environment. Experience in immunology is strongly preferred. The individual should have exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to represent the organization effectively at local, national, and global levels.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$112,433.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn