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The Department of Biochemistry has an outstanding opportunity for a Manager of Program Operations to join the Institute for Protein Design.

The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington in Seattle is creating a new world of synthetic proteins to address 21st-century challenges in medicine, energy, and technology. The IPD is a unique interdisciplinary environment where world-class researchers with expertise in computing and software, biochemistry, genome sciences, biological structure, pharmacology, immunology and other basic science disciplines, as well as clinical medicine, work together to both computationally design and experimentally characterize novel biomolecules. Current projects include the design of novel therapeutics for cancer, neurological diseases, and more, as well as new vaccines, nanomaterials, and enzymes. For more detailed information about the Institute for Protein Design please see www.ipd.uw.edu .

The Manager of Program Operations is a key senior management position at The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) responsible for overseeing, with administrative management support from UW Department of Biochemistry, a multi-million dollar funding portfolio comprising both sponsored research projects and donations. Decisions made by the Manager have a significant impact on the success of operations at the IPD, and as such it is a key position for the Institute, Department, and School.

The Manager of Program Operations serves as a key member of the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) administrative team and in close partnership with the Department of Biochemistry in which the IPD is organized.   This position will be responsible for a wide range of complex, diversified, and confidential leadership duties. Critical thinking, initiative, and sound judgment based on experience are required to manage operations, resolve problems, set up and implement policies and procedures and make recommendations to top management. The position will have a high level of autonomy and independence.

The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) is designing a whole new world of proteins to address 21st century challenges in medicine, materials, and technology. Housed within the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, the IPD is organized within in Department of Biochemistry with 4 operating locations, three on UW’s main Seattle campus and one in the South Lake Union campus.

This position will play a key role in the success of IPD operations with its cutting –edge biomedical research and as such, will have significant impact to the School and University.
The Manager of Program Operations oversees a ~10-person administrative staff at the IPD, effectively managing all business-, fiscal-, and grant-related activities for the Institute, comprising over $21M in annual expenditures and ~200 people including 4 faculty members, staff scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate trainees. This position reports to the Director and Deputy Director of the IPD with mentorship and guidance from the Chief Strategy Officer of the IPD. This position also serves as liaison to the IPD’s Advisory Board, Scientific Council, and Advancement colleagues. This position will work in close cooperation and coordination with the Department of Biochemistry main administration and department management (Chair/Director/Administrator).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Duties and responsibilities include:

Grant and Program Management Activities (30%)
• Oversee the activities of two research program managers who manage all pre- and post-award funding, budgeting, contracts, and reporting.
• Liaise with UW Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Office of Sponsored Programs, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and CoMotion officials to ensure timely and effective processing of agreements.

Administrative Management Activities (40%)
• Oversee the activities of a four-person team managing all of the laboratory functions across four research sites encompassing ~30,000 assignable square feet of diverse laboratory spaces, including EH&S activities.
• Oversee the activities of one executive assistant (reporting to IPD Director) and one administrative assistant (reporting to IPD Deputy Director) who manage all calendaring, travel, paperwork, and dry lab desk assignments for the Baker and King labs.
• Oversee the activities of an academic training program manager who is responsible for oversight of all postdoctoral scholar, graduate student (in collaboration with UW graduate programs), and visiting scientist interviews, on-boarding, visa processing, and off-boarding.
• Oversee the activities of one event coordinator who is responsible for supporting a variety of programmatic events at the IPD.
• Manage the review, implementation, and maintenance of all IPD policy documents, ensuring compliance with UW, State, Departmental policies and executive orders. Oversee the organizational process improvement, play an active role in creating and implementing internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate the annual performance reviews (with Principal Investigators and other stakeholders) and salary change recommendations for ~10 research scientists.

Fiscal Management Activities (30%)
• Oversee the activities of one fiscal analyst and one procurement specialist supporting the timely reporting of IPD financials to numerous stakeholders and funding agencies.
• Ensure that use of funding is appropriately matched to research activities and that accurate forecasting of financial models for 2+ years enables long-term decision-making about staffing and infrastructure improvements.
• Provide required fiscal, grant and management reports to the Department of Biochemistry Chair and Director as needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Master's Degree in Management, business or related field + 6-8 years or more of experience in related field.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Master’s-level program management professional with 6-8 years of experience in research program administration roles.
• The position requires a proven track record in managing complex pre- and post- award grant processes (ideally within the UW system) and fiscal oversight of multi-million dollar program financial activities in the private sector, government, and academia. Critical thinking, initiative, and sound judgment based on experience are required to manage tasks, resolve problems, and make recommendations. Advanced computer skills, project management experience, and advanced communication, organizational, collaborative, team-building and people skills are a must.

DESIRED:
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry or related field, or Masters in Business Administration.
• 8-10 years of research program management-level experience in an institution of higher learning or in the biotechnology sector.
• Familiarity with University of Washington sponsored research and / or financial systems.
• Familiarity with intellectual property prosecution and maintenance.
• Familiarity with government funding agencies and their grant and contract processes.
• Familiarity with principles of managerial accounting.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.