Managing Director

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Medicine seeks a Managing Director for Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) to lead strategy, operations, and performance. The role reports to the Office of Research and partners with Medical School leadership to advance translational research.

The ideal candidate brings 6+ years in life science development and a proven track record in leadership, budgeting, and external engagement. This is a hybrid role with substantial external collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in business, science, engineering, public health, or related field.
• Minimum of six years of experience in life science technology development, commercialization, translational research, or related fields.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in strategic planning and program management.
• Experience managing daily operations including administrative, financial, and programmatic functions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with independent work ability.
• Proven ability to work with faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• Experience leading and developing a professional staff, including coaching and feedback.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for FFMI aligned with Medical School and University priorities.
• Advises leadership on translational research strategy, commercialization readiness, and industry engagement.
• Positions FFMI as a coordinating platform complementing existing units.
• Oversees FFMI's services portfolio including industry-facing support and advisory services.
• Manages budgets, performance metrics, and reporting for leadership.
• Leads a multidisciplinary team of 12–14 FTEs and fosters collaboration across units.

Skills

Strategic planning

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

PhD/MD or equivalent

Job description

Who We Are

As a premier, research-intensive academic medical center, the University of Michigan Medical School is world renowned with more than $800 million in external research funding. The Medical School Office of Research proudly supports our internationally recognized investigators in their pursuit of innovative science to improve the health of our patients, the wellbeing of Michiganders, and the direct impact our teams have on many fields that rely on clinical research.

The ultimate objective of Michigan Medicine's research strategic plan, Great Minds, Greater Discoveries, is to increase faculty competitiveness and ability to pursue major scientific questions in a rich and expansive environment that leads to discoveries of new preventions, treatments, and cures. Advancing clinical research is one of the five key strategies to achieve this objective. Michigan Medicine has made substantial investments in the last decade to grow clinical research infrastructure, supporting over 1,800 clinical trials and 6,000 IRB-approved studies.

Job Summary

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) is a strategic program within the University of Michigan Medical School Office of Research that accelerates the translation of biomedical and life science research into clinical and commercial impact. FFMI provides coordinated commercialization services, industry engagement, and innovation education across Michigan Medicine.

The Office of Research is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to join the team as the Managing Director of FFMI. The Managing Director is a senior leadership role responsible for FFMI's strategic direction, operations, and performance. Reporting to senior leadership within the Medical School Office of Research, the Managing Director serves as a key advisor on translational strategy, commercialization readiness, and industry partnerships. This position requires strong external engagement, operational leadership, and the ability to work effectively across complex academic and clinical environments.

The Managing Director sets the overall team and unit objectives consistent with the vision of the Medical School and Michigan Medicine. As a member of the Office of Research staff leadership team, the Managing Director promotes the broader Medical School research agenda and guides strategic planning and implementation of a range of initiatives.

Responsibilities*

Program Leadership And Strategy

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for FFMI in alignment with Medical School and University priorities.
• Advises Medical School leadership on translational research strategy, commercialization readiness, and industry engagement.
• Positions FFMI as a coordinating platform that complements existing campus and Medical School units.

Commercialization and Translational Services

• Oversees FFMI's portfolio of services, including:
• Industry-facing research and development support
• Translational project intake and advisory services
• Commercialization readiness and advisory support
• Seed funding and technology development programs
• Commercialization education and engagement activities
• Guides assessment of commercial potential and appropriate development pathways for faculty innovations.
• Educates and advises researchers on navigating the biomedical commercialization, drug development pathways and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Industry and External Partnerships

• Serves as a senior point of contact for industry partners and external collaborators.
• Supports development and execution of industry partnership models, including sponsored research and co-development.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with external commercialization, R&D, and funding organizations.
• Establish internship opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral trainees through building partner networks and relationships with industry, biotech and governmental agencies.

Operations, Budget, and Performance Management

• Develops and manages FFMI operational budgets.
• Establishes and monitors performance metrics; prepares regular reports for leadership.
• Leads sustainability planning for FFMI program and services.

Team Leadership

• Leads and manages a multidisciplinary team (approximately 12-14 FTEs; 3-4 direct reports).
• Sets expectations, promotes accountability, and supports staff development in accordance with Michigan Medicine policies.
• Fosters effective collaboration across Medical School departments, central campus units, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in business, science, engineering, public health, or a related field.
• Minimum of six years of experience in life science technology development, commercialization, translational research, or related fields.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in strategic planning and program management.
• Experience managing the daily operations of a unit. Including responsibility for administrative, financial, and programmatic functions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to operate independently, balance competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment.
• Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• Successful experience leading and developing a team of professional staff, including setting direction and expectations, managing performance, coaching, and providing performance feedback.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Desired Qualifications*

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent).
• Experience with end-to-end life science technology development either in industry and/or academic environment.
• Experience with medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, or digital health.
• Knowledge of technology transfer, academic?industry partnerships, and venture funding.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations relevant to translational research (e.g., FDA pathways).

Modes of Work

The position is designed as a hybrid role with a blend of remote and onsite responsibilities, requiring a recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by your job requirements. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.