LAI Senior Director - Administration - Operations & Strategy

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 142,700 - 189,100; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia seeks a Senior Director, Administration, Operations & Strategy for the Lurie Autism Institute. The role partners with CHOP and Penn leadership to align operations with strategic goals, manage budgets, staffing, and governance, and ensure donor-compliant administration.

You will guide multi-functional teams across finance, HR, facilities, and research operations. The ideal candidate has 12+ years in clinical research or research administration, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred in healthcare or related field.
• At least 10 years of leadership/management experience in clinical research, academic medical center, or similar.
• Experience with grants management and donor reporting is essential.
• Strong financial stewardship with budget planning and cost analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief administrative partner to Scientific Director; co-lead strategic growth and mission execution.
• Translate long-term vision into actionable, scalable operations and staffing models.
• Represent the Institute to internal and external stakeholders and manage partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with donor and sponsor requirements across CHOP and Penn.
• Lead financial strategy, budgets, and stewardship for multiple funds and endowments.
• Oversee marketing, communications, events, and donor engagement for visibility.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Budget development

Operations management

Grant writing

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Required

Master's Degree - Preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

SHIFT

Day (United States of America)

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.

CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non‑discriminatory means.

A Brief Overview

The Lurie Autism Institute is a groundbreaking research institute jointly established by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Medicine), founded through a transformative gift from the Lurie Family Foundation and the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation. Designed as a preeminent international center for autism research, the Institute unites CHOP’s renowned pediatric research enterprise with Penn Medicine’s world‑class medical and scientific community to accelerate discovery, collaboration, and real‑world impact in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Senior Director, Administration, Operations & Strategy serves as the senior operational leader of the Lurie Autism Institute, working in close partnership with the Founding Scientific Director to translate the Institute’s visionary goals into sustainable, high‑performing operations. As senior administrative, operational, and strategy officer, the Senior Director is responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure, staffing, financial systems, and strategic communications frameworks that support the Institute’s mission and ensure all scientific and programmatic efforts are grounded in sound, scalable operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and steward a newly launched, high‑profile, bi‑institutional research institute. The Senior Director will operate at the intersection of science, strategy, philanthropy, and institutional partnership to position the Lurie Autism Institute as a global leader in autism research and innovation. The ideal candidate is a strategic, results‑oriented administrative executive with proven leadership experience in complex, matrixed organizations, within academic medicine, research institutes, major non‑profits, or industry. They are a systems thinker and skilled relationship‑builder who thrives in innovative environments, bringing both operational rigor and creative problem‑solving.

What You Will Do

Strategic Leadership & Partnership

• Serve as the chief administrative partner to the Scientific Director, co‑leading strategic planning, institutional growth, and mission execution.
• Translate mid- and long‑term vision into actionable plans, scalable processes, and staffing models.
• Represent the Institute to internal and external stakeholders, including CHOP and Penn development teams, donors, and advisory groups, alongside or on behalf of the Scientific Director.
• Ensure Institute operations remain agile and responsive to evolving scientific priorities, philanthropic strategies, and institutional opportunities.
• Partner with scientific and academic leaders in collaborative governance models.

Operational & Administrative Management

• Build and oversee all core administrative functions: finance, HR coordination, facilities, compliance, IT, procurement, and research operations, including collaboration with CHOP and Penn leadership.
• Establish joint operating protocols and collaborative systems that align with the policies and cultures of both CHOP and Penn.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant institutional, sponsor, and donor requirements, including those specified in formal gift agreements.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, including annual budget development in partnership with the Scientific Director and CHOP and Penn Chief Scientific Officers.
• Oversee financial management of the Lurie Autism Institute Term Fund and Research and Program Endowed Fund, ensuring adherence to donor intent and institutional policies in collaboration with CHOP and Penn finance partners.
• Monitor and report on Institute expenditures and revenues, including indirect costs, maintaining alignment with CHOP and Penn financial governance standards.
• Support philanthropic stewardship efforts alongside CHOP and Penn development teams, including preparation of annual joint donor reports.
• Collaborate with the Scientific Director and other stakeholders to prepare and co‑lead biannual stewardship meetings.

Marketing & Public Relations

• Lead development of a cohesive, mission‑driven messaging and branding strategy for the Lurie Autism Institute in partnership with CHOP and Penn marketing and communications teams, ensuring unified positioning across channels.
• Collaborate with the Scientific Director to implement communications plans that elevate the Institute’s visibility, impact, and reputation as a leader in autism research.
• Oversee creation and dissemination of high‑impact materials and digital content highlighting scientific milestones, strategic initiatives, and community engagement.
• Support planning and promotion of key events, conferences, and donor communications to strengthen public awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Institutional Relations & Governance

• Serve as a primary liaison to administrative leaders and offices at both CHOP and Penn.
• Coordinate the Institute’s engagement with the Internal (CHOP/Penn) Lurie Institute Advisory Committee, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the Community Advisory Board, including meeting planning, materials preparation, and follow‑up actions.
• Support execution of responsibilities outlined in the CHOP and Penn gift agreements, including donor recognition, reporting, and long‑term sustainability planning.

Culture & People

• Foster an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative organizational culture that respects and integrates the values of CHOP, Penn, and the Lurie Autism Institute.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and professional development for administrative staff and shared operational resources.
• Promote transparent communication and collaboration between administrative and scientific stakeholders across institutions.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree - Required
• Master’s Degree in a healthcare related field - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least twelve (12) years of clinical research or research administration experience - Required
• At least ten (10) years of leadership, management or supervisory experience - Required
• At least three (3) years of grant writing and/or grants management and coordination experience - Required
• At least three (3) years of financial management experience, including budget preparation and management - Required
• At least three (3) years of resource management, project management and coordination experience - Required
• At least twelve (12) years of cost analysis and budgeting or sponsored projects management experience - Preferred
• At least ten (10) years of leadership, management or supervisory experience in a clinical research or academic environment - Preferred
• At least five (5) years of financial management experience, including budget preparation and management in a hospital or medical school environment - Preferred
• At least five (5) years of editing, including manuscript preparation, galleys, proofs, etc. experience - Preferred
• At least five (5) years of pediatric research experience - Preferred
• At least fifteen (15) years of clinical, basic, translational research or research administration experience - Preferred
• At least eight (8) years of leadership, management or supervisory experience in research, research administration, operations, or finance within university, academic medical center, or institute settings; familiarity with CHOP and/or PENN institutional environments is a plus - Preferred
• At least five (5) years of financial management experience, including budget preparation and management, grants administration, endowment management, and/or donor reporting - Preferred
• At least three (3) years of resource management, project management and coordination experience - Preferred

Skills And Abilities

• Advanced proficiency with office software (Microsoft Office) including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Advanced knowledge of the strategic and execution aspects of clinical and/or translational research
• Substantial knowledge of the grant submission process
• Substantial knowledge of the faculty appointment process
• Substantial knowledge of research, research protocols, etc. (medical school & NIH)
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent critical thinking / problem‑solving skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent analytical skillsExcellent leadership skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to convey complex or technical information in an easy‑to‑understand manner
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE

$142,700.00 - $189,100.00 Annually

Salary ranges are shown for full‑time jobs. If you're working part‑time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

This job is eligible for an incentive program.

At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting.