Research Business Operations, Director

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Illinois seeks a Director of Research Business Operations to shape strategy for research commercialization, industry partnerships, and sponsored clinical trials. You will work with senior leaders to prioritize opportunities, manage contracts and budgets, and drive enterprise‑wide execution to advance patient outcomes.

The role involves cross‑functional leadership, financial strategy, and executive relationships with industry partners, academic centers, and SRAlab

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline required; MS or PhD strong plus.
• MBA preferred but not required.
• 7+ years in research business operations, partnerships, or sponsored research; 10+ preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a portfolio strategy for research commercialization and industry collaborations.
• Lead negotiations for clinical trial and research agreements with cross‑functional teams.
• Oversee budgets, pricing frameworks, and cost recovery plans for sponsored research.
• Establish governance, dashboards, and performance metrics for the portfolio.

Skills

Strategy

Negotiation

Partnerships

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

MBA preferred

Job description

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

The Research Business Operations, Director develops the business strategy for SRALab’s portfolio of research commercialization, industry partnerships, sponsored clinical trials, research collaborations, and technology licensing initiatives that advance new therapeutic options for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s patient populations. In partnership with the Chief Scientific Officer, Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation, Office of General Counsel, Office of Research Administration, Medical Director of SHARE and International Programs, and SRALab’s clinical and research leaders, the Director sets priorities, evaluates opportunities, and drives enterprise-wide execution in support of Advancing Human Ability™.

The Director serves as the principal strategic advisor and business partner to the Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation, helping shape commercialization and partnership priorities and translating them into executable business, clinical, and research programs. The Director co‑leads portfolio strategy, opportunity assessment, contract and budget strategy, cross-functional implementation, and performance oversight for industry‑sponsored research and strategic partnerships. This role is accountable for ensuring that collaborations are strategically aligned, financially viable, operationally efficient, appropriately governed, and successfully executed.

Job Description

The Research Business Operations, Director will:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and partnership strategy for research commercialization, industry‑sponsored research, and technology development in alignment with the Scientific Chair’s and SRAlab’s enterprise priorities.

• Direct the planning and initiation of SRAlab’s portfolio of industry‑sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations, in collaboration with the Office of Research Administration, including portfolio prioritization, timelines, resource allocation, budgeting, site coordination, regulatory requirements, risk management, and performance tracking.

• Lead business and financial negotiations for clinical trial agreements, research collaboration agreements, and related industry contracts in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel and Office of Research Administration, and direct the development of commercially and operationally sound budgets.

• Develop and oversee financial strategies, budgets, forecasts, pricing frameworks, and negotiation parameters for sponsored research and commercialization initiatives; lead negotiations with industry sponsors, in collaboration with the Office of Research Administration, to ensure appropriate cost recovery, margin alignment, risk management, and long‑term financial sustainability.

• Establish cross‑functional resource and staffing plans with the Office of Research Administration and SHARE leadership to support the effective execution and scalable growth of sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations.

• Develop and oversee strategic relationships with partner institutions, including academic medical centers, to expand access to capabilities, sites, expertise, and other resources required for successful conduct of clinical trials and research collaborations.

• Lead enterprise‑wide, cross‑functional initiatives and governance processes involving legal, business, marketing, research, fundraising, clinical, and operational leaders; establish shared priorities, decision pathways, accountability, and performance expectations.

• Serve as one of SRAlab’s senior business representatives with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, digital health, and academic partners; cultivate executive‑level relationships, identify and evaluate collaborative research and product development opportunities, and lead business negotiations to ensure strategic alignment, equity, accountability, and clear decision and execution pathways.

• Establish and monitor portfolio‑level performance metrics, financial and operational dashboards, forecasts, and risk indicators; regularly report results, opportunities, and corrective actions to research and executive leadership.

• Advise the Scientific Chair, Chief Scientific Officer, and other research leaders on market dynamics, partnership models, commercialization pathways, investment priorities, and the business implications of emerging opportunities.

Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley RyanAbilityLab.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to the Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline required; MS or PhD is a strong plus

• MBA preferred but not required

• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, contracting, and operational requirements for the conduct of clinical research and industry‑sponsored programs

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in research business operations, business development, strategic partnerships, commercialization, or sponsored research within healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, or an academic medical center environment; ten (10) years of relevant experience is preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership in structuring and negotiating complex collaborative research agreements, clinical trial agreements, strategic partnership agreements, and associated financial terms with industry sponsors.

• Strong understanding of product‑focused commercial research and development, technology transfer, intellectual property, clinical development, and commercialization processes.

• Outstanding enterprise leadership, portfolio management, and program execution skills, with a proven track record of influencing cross‑functional teams and building durable executive relationships with corporate and institutional partners

• Exemplary executive communication, influencing, negotiation, judgment, and conflict‑management skills

• Ability to establish strategy, operating discipline, performance metrics, and decision frameworks while working effectively in a fast, innovative, fluid, and entrepreneurial environment

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*

Pay Range

$110,800.00 - $184,000.00

Benefits

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

EEO is the Law| EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights|View our Full Policy

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Aff…