Director, Translational Research Operations

Trustees of University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks a Director for the Translational Research Unit to bridge scientific research with business goals. You will lead operational workflows, manage budgets, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver clinically actionable outputs.

The role requires strategic leadership, staff management, and the ability to translate complex science into robust operational pipelines that support financial sustainability and high-quality services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree required.
• 7–10 years of experience in translational research or related field.

Responsibilities

• Manage Translational Research Unit staff including hiring and onboarding.
• Develop business and product strategies; align goals with the Director of Immune Health to the Translational Unit.
• Collaborate with Finance to update service rates, oversee billing, and provide quarterly expenditure/revenue reports.
• Serve as primary contact for internal/external investigators using Translational Research Unit services; ensure smooth study planning and onboarding.
• Establish and oversee QA/QC protocols; ensure data are recorded, organized, and stored; create and oversee project trackers.
• Identify improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency across the sample lifecycle; work with Processing/Platforms leads.
• Lead development of the client-facing website and tracking system for clinical cohorts; collaborate with data infrastructure.
• Work with R&D to develop new services; partner with communications to create marketing materials; draft MOUs for external partners.

Education

Bachelor of Science

Job description

University of Pennsylvania seeks a Director for the Translational Research Unit to bridge scientific research with business goals. You will lead operational workflows, manage budgets, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver clinically actionable outputs.

The role requires strategic leadership, staff management, and the ability to translate complex science into robust operational pipelines that support financial sustainability and high-quality services.