Department
BSD OCR - Office of Clinical Research

Job Summary
The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for the administration of academic, research, clinical or administrative programs of the University.

The Director, Strategic Research Initiatives serves as a key leader in advancing the innovation and impact of clinical research at UChicago Medicine. This position utilizes critical thinking and deep knowledge of the research and healthcare landscape to ensure the institution remains at the forefront of clinical research. Acting as the day-to-day lead for major, cross-functional strategic projects, the director structures complex and ambiguous questions into clear hypotheses and actionable workplans for executive decision-making. This role partners closely with senior executives and clinical leaders, facilitating alignment and progressing solutions to highly complex problems with broad business impact.

The director enables technology and data-driven solutions for critical challenges, develops infrastructure recommendations, and implements processes to enhance research operations and expand the research network. The position actively seeks external partnerships to advance research network strategy and continuously measures and reports KPIs to drive ongoing improvement. The director leads teams supporting strategic initiatives and manages program operations including planning, scheduling, evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budgeting, marketing, fundraising, and proposal development.

Additionally, this role contributes to the design of program content, business processes, and policies for the Office of Clinical Research, supporting the institution's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence within clinical research.

Responsibilities

• Utilize critical thinking and knowledge of the research and healthcare landscape to continuously innovate and keep UChicago Medicine at the forefront of research.
• Serve as the day-to-day leader for major strategic projects and initiatives with notable complexity and cross functional scope.
• Structure ambiguous strategic questions across a broad range of topics into clear hypotheses and workplans, identifying the critical analyses required to inform executive decision-making.
• Lead the solution development for highly complex, unique problems that have a broad impact on the business, including strategic thinking and structured problem solving in collaboration with system executives.
• Build credibility with senior executives and clinical leaders, facilitating discussions that advance alignment and move complex decisions forward.
• Serve as a recognized expert / thought leader within the company on strategy, particularly as it relates to current and past projects in clinical research.
• Responsible for enabling artificial intelligence (AI) and data science techniques to develop creative and practical solutions for critical challenges.
• Develop infrastructure recommendations and processes for the implementation and expansion of network research.
• Seek new external research partnerships to advance the clinical research network strategy.
• Measure and report KPIs and lead continuous improvement.
• Lead a team of individuals tasked with support of strategic initiatives through direct reports or indirectly through project leadership.
• Manages program operations and administrative functions which may include planning and scheduling, program evaluation, policy implementation, personnel administration, budget, marketing, fundraising and proposal development.
• Contributes to the design of program content, policies, and Office of Clinical Research business processes.
• Develops the dissemination, interpretation and application of program policies and recommends or makes exceptions.
• Recommends program content, policies and strategic planning efforts.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Experience leading complex, multi-functional programs and projects within an academic research organization.
• Experience leading through influence.
• Experience with Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) and other enterprise solutions for research administration.
• Ability to create and track key performance indicators.
• Strong communication skills including the development of project charters, project plans, and executive presentation materials.
• Experience working with clinical operations in a healthcare setting.

Preferred Competencies

• Project management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Diplomacy and collaboration.
• High attention to detail.
• Proactive problem solving.

Working Conditions

• Remote office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (optional)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

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

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$140,000.00 - $180,000.00
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.