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Senior Director of Operations Commercial R&D

AT City of Hope
City of Hope

Senior Director of Operations Commercial R&D

Duarte, CA

About City of Hope

City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy.

Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution, where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

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Position Summary

Under supervision and guidance, of the Vice President (VP) Business Innovation, the Senior Director of Operations (OD), Commercial R&D, provides administrative leadership for a broad area of the Office of Technology Transfer. The OD, Commercial R&D is responsible for the management and support of OTL Patent Docket Manager, OTL Licensing Compliance Manager and OTL Senior Administrative Analyst and other OTL operations staff as needed ("OTL Operations Team") such as Directors of Alliance Partnerships. Under the supervision of the VP Business Innovation, he/she works to manage, improve and provide reporting relating to the operational functions of OTL. The OD is a detail-oriented, responsible team player with a sense of urgency, who utilizes best practices for planning and tracking performance of milestones and sets priorities that are associated with the operational functions of OTL including overseeing the Alliance Partnerships function within OTL.

He/she supports and directs daily operations of the staff comprising the OTL Operations Team. The OD is expected to assess, plan and execute changes to daily processes to achieve strategic initiatives within OTL and the wider Commercial R&D Department. The OD is an integral member of ensuring effective communication among team members and with other stakeholders, and influences/gains the cooperation of others to drive projects forward.

Key Responsibilities include:

Technology Transfer:
  • Collaborates with investigators and central offices to provide guidance for the submission of a successful invention disclosures.
  • Identifies and facilitate collaborations that leverage unique competences and improve technology transfer outcome.
  • Oversee the resolution of budget variances.
  • Participate in contract management including contract workflow, new agreements, and amendments.
  • Maintains frequent communication with the cross-functional project team members and key internal stakeholders.
  • Builds strong working relationships across departments, with key stakeholders, and Senior Management to ensure transparency and to facilitate communication.
  • Collaborates with CROs, small to medium biotech and other critical functional areas.
  • Review of material provenance in relation to IP filings prior to submission for patenting and/or licensing.
  • Oversee contract processes and provide directional guidance as applicable.
  • Collaborates and liaises with COH Research Operations, Clinical Trial Support Services, Translational Development Center, Clinical Research Billing, Research Finance Clinical Trials Office, the Center for Biomedicine and Genetics, the T-Cell Translational Research Laboratory, the Office of IND Development and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Sponsored Research, Office of General Counsel, Finance and Accounting verticals, COH Shared Resources and laboratory and clinical laboratories to advice on technologies/projects' protection and marketability from proof-of-concept in the laboratory to clinical testing.
  • Collaborates, liaises with, and supports Contracting, Equity, Litigation, Patent and other attorneys retained by City of Hope.
  • Collaborates and liaises with Patent Law firms representing COH academic and for-profit partners and licensees.
  • Collaborates and liaises with leadership and financial staff representing COH academic and for-profit collaborators, licensees and partners.

Management and Leadership:
  • Provide guidance and direction on department operational activities.
  • Provide direction, guidance and coaching to OTL Operations Team, and train new administrative staff as needed.
  • Oversight and management of Directors of Alliance Partnerships
  • Oversight and management of Patent Docket Manager role
  • Oversight and management of Licensing Compliance Manager role.
  • Oversight and management of Sr Administrative Analyst role.
  • Oversight and management of OTL Operations Team.
  • Overall responsibility for OTL IP, licensing and operational database system, ensuring it is complete and in compliance with applicable policies; maintains regular communications with department; communicates with fiscal and contractual contacts for problem resolution and information gathering.
  • Responsible for escalating appropriately and in a timely manner while identifying mitigation strategies to rectify issue(s). Communicate clear and timely deadlines, meeting outcomes (captured in minutes shared with all parties involved), issues (delays, shortcomings, disputes, etc.), and any information that impacts IP and the technologies.
  • Ensures that clear actions and decisions are documented and communicated.
  • Works with the VP in resolving patent, licensee compliance and administrative problems.
  • Works closely with Business Director Commercial R&D.
  • Serve as OTL point of contact to faculty, inventors, licensees, outside institutions, outside counsel and federal funding agencies relating to patenting, revenue distribution and billing.
  • Provides recommendations based on significant knowledge of the department's history, professional objectives and activities.
  • Provides leadership for the improvement of Information Technology solutions at OTL.
  • Works collaboratively with the research support, patenting, and licensing arm of OTL including ED of Business Innovations and the Licensing Managers within that vertical
  • Cultivate ongoing relationships with Office of Sponsored Research and other collaborators, developing and improving relevant business processes, fostering a strong team atmosphere.
  • Ensure that annual training and other related activities are within compliance.
  • Establishes and maintains close working relationship with central departments, setting the tone for ongoing collaboration.
  • Guides managers and staff, providing guidance and advice where applicable.
  • Participate in regular meetings with staff to review workload productivity, current events, problems and potential areas of concern and complete annual performance reviews.
  • Evaluates and solicits training needs and IP and technology transfer best practices.
  • Serves as liaison with area supervisors.
  • Manages staff and oversees their job responsibilities applying training and coaching in professional metric-oriented environment.
  • Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
  • Assists the OTL, Commercial R&D and Executive Leadership Team with internal and external presentations as needed.
Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:
  • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, business administration, research administration, science, or related field.
  • 6 years of business management experience in an academic research or healthcare environment, including 4 years of progressively responsible management experience. Demonstrated experience in supervision of mid-level career staff, budget development, grant management and space planning

Preferred education experience and skills:
  • Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, healthcare administration, public health, or research administration.
  • 8+ years of business management experience in pharma/biotech or healthcare environment.

Additional Information:
  • To protect the health of patients and staff and to comply with new State of California mandates, City of Hope staff are required to show proof of full vaccination prior to start date. Compliance is a condition of employment.

City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. #LI-RA

  • Posting Date: Nov 22, 2021
  • Job Field: Business Services
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Shift: Day Job

Job ID: CityOfHope-10014187
Employment Type: Other