Mellowes Center Strategic Director of Operations

Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

Medical College of Wisconsin seeks a Strategic Director of Operations for the Mellowes Center in Milwaukee. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role leads operational infrastructure, research operations, budgeting, compliance, staff development, and external partnerships, with about 50% time allocated to TLRI via leasing.

The role also serves as TLRI COO, driving business development, donor engagement, and liaison with MCW offices to ensure compliant, efficient research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 12+ years in research administration, clinical research, or related fields.
• 7 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Preferred Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, MPH) or Doctorate in a related field; CRA certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily administrative and research operations of the Mellowes Center; develop and maintain financial and programmatic tracking systems and SOPs.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all Mellowes Center research activities; design training programs for staff and investigators.
• Supervise research and administrative staff; recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff; partner with HR.
• Partner on strategic and operational planning; address operational challenges aligned with center strategy.
• Oversee grants lifecycle, budgets, sponsor requirements, and collaborations with TLRI; liaise with MCW offices and sponsors.
• Oversee procurement processes and financial stewardship; monitor operational metrics and reporting.
• Oversee TLRI COO duties, business development, sponsorships, and donor engagement; coordinate with MCW leadership.
• Serve as liaison with research administration offices and external institutions to ensure compliant research activities.
• Contribute to study design input and manuscript support where appropriate.

Skills

Research administration

NIH policy knowledge

Budget management

HR leadership

Change management

Communication

Strategic partnerships

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

CRA certification preferred

Job description

Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Mellowes Center for Genomic Science and Precision Medicine, the Mellowes Center Strategic Director of Operations (\"MCSDO\") will serve as a key member of the Mellowes Center leadership team, providing operational leadership across the Center. It is anticipated that the MCSDO will also serve (via a leasing agreement) as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Therapeutic Lighthouse Research Institute (TLRI), a non-profit business entity whose mission is to serve as the ecosystem nexus advancing therapeutic development for uncured disease. It is anticipated that this individual will dedicate approximately 50% effort to the Mellowes Center and approximately 50% effort to TLRI via a leasing agreement between MCW and TLRI.

This individual will strategically lead the administrative and operational infrastructure that supports the Mellowes Center's research enterprise, including research operations, regulatory compliance, grants lifecycle support, research staff training, budget and resource management, change management implementation, external academic, biopharma and philanthropic partner outreach and stewardship, and will supervise the Center's Human Resources operations and administrative support staff.

For TLRI, it is anticipated that this individual will serve as the COO, functioning as the primary resource on campus and within the broader precision therapeutic advancement ecosystem and as the primary point of contact for academic and industry partners, donors, and philanthropic supporters. It is further anticipated that this individual will lead TLRI business development, administrative process efficiencies, and partnership efforts, and serve as the Center's primary liaison with the MCW Office of Research, sponsored programs, the IRB, and collaborating institutions to ensure research is conducted efficiently and in compliance with federal, sponsor, and MCW requirements.

Primary Responsibilities at MCW

• Direct the daily administrative and research operations of the Mellowes Center; develop and maintain effective financial and programmatic tracking systems, policies, and standard operating procedures that comply with federal, sponsor, and MCW requirements.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all Mellowes Center research activities, including IRB and IACUC approvals and renewals, and design and implement training programs for research coordinators, research assistants, investigators, and other research staff.
• Supervise research and administrative support staff, including managers where applicable; recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff, oversee corrective action in partnership with Human Resources, and identify staffing and resource needs across Mellowes Center research programs.
• As a key member of Mellowes Center leadership, partner on strategic and operational planning; elevate, triage, and resolve operational challenges consistent with the Mellowes Center's strategic direction.
• Serve as the Mellowes Center's subject matter expert on the grants lifecycle; work with investigators and research business staff on proposal preparation, grant budgets, sponsor requirements, collaborative research agreements and joint funding processes between Mellowes Center and TLRI and communicate with NIH and other sponsors as needed.
• Oversee Mellowes Center research budgets, purchasing, and spending in collaboration with Center finance staff, and streamline ordering and procurement processes.
• Establish and monitor key operational metrics and prepare annual and ad hoc reports for Mellowes Center and institutional leadership; serve as liaison between research administration offices, Mellowes Center investigators, and external collaborating institutions.
• Oversee systems for tracking Mellowes Center publications, support manuscripts, grant materials, and presentations, and provide input on study design and conduct as appropriate.
• Complete other duties as assigned by Mellowes Center Executive Director or other institutional leadership.

Anticipated Primary Responsibilities at TLRI

• Serve as the COO, effectively the senior administrative and business leader for TLRI; lead its launch, growth, and long-term business strategy, and develop business plans, financial models, and sustainability strategies in partnership with the Executive Director and institutional leadership.
• Lead TLRI business development, including identifying, negotiating, and stewarding sponsored research, licensing, and commercialization opportunities and strategic alliances with industry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical partners, in coordination with MCW legal, technology transfer, and contracting offices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship owner for TLRI's academic and industry partners, representing TLRI in partnership discussions, external meetings, and industry forums.
• Serve as the principal advocate for TLRI at MCW and within the broader precision therapeutic advancement community, building effective administrative processes and integration with MCW, including awareness of and institutional support for its mission; develop communications and outreach materials in collaboration with MCW Marketing and Communications.
• Partner with the Mellowes Center Executive Director and MCW Advancement to identify, cultivate, and steward donors and philanthropic partners for TLRI; serve as a primary donor contact and support proposals, stewardship reports, and fundraising strategy.
• Complete other duties as assigned by TLRI Chief Executive Officer or other institutional leadership.

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

• Knowledge of research administration, NIH and federal sponsor policy, human subjects research regulations and IRB processes, and pre- and post-award grants management.
• Knowledge of financial management, budget preparation, and human resources practices in an academic or research environment.
• Leadership, strategic planning, problem-solving, high emotional intelligence, and strong change management skills.
• Ability to convey complex or technical information clearly and to collaborate with faculty, staff, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of business development, technology transfer, licensing, and industry partnership models in the biotechnology, life sciences, or therapeutic development sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with executive-level academic, industry, and philanthropic stakeholders, and to serve as an effective external representative and advocate for an organization.
• Knowledge of philanthropy and donor stewardship practices, and strong negotiation, presentation, and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Required Experience: 12 years of research administration, clinical research, or business development experience in an academic, healthcare, or life sciences setting, including 7 years of leadership or supervisory experience

Preferred Education: Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, MPH, or related field) and/or Doctorate degree (e.g., Doctorate of Strategic Management) in a related field.

Preferred Experience: 10 years of leadership experience in an academic, clinical research, or life sciences industry environment; experience in business development, partnership negotiation, or fundraising; financial management experience in a medical school, hospital, or biotechnology setting

Preferred Certification/Licensure(s): Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring - Collaborative - Curiosity - Inclusive - Integrity - Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.