Primary Work Address: 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815
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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and administrative professionals. Together, we're unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.
HHMI's Headquarters is located on a beautiful 40-acre campus in the greater Washington DC metro area that is home to over 300 employees with strong cross-departmental collaboration between biomedical, legal, human resources, communications, information technology, investments, science education, and more.
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The HHMI Science Department supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation, and you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.
Summary:
The Senior Director, Science Strategy and Administration, is a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer (VP/CSO). This position is responsible for translating vision into action, managing the implementation of key departmental priorities, and ensuring strong internal coordination and communication across the Science Department. The position will work collaboratively with other Senior Directors and other team members in the HHMI Science Department and serve as a key liaison across HHMI departments. This individual will help reduce the administrative burden on the VP/CSO by coordinating departmental efforts, identifying and resolving bottlenecks, facilitating decision-making by the VP/CSO, and supporting appropriate coordination with other departments and leaders at HHMI. The role requires exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, along with the ability to navigate complex internal and external relationships with sound judgment and discretion.
This role reports to the Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer and will report to HHMI Headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD, three days a week in person and work two days remotely. The person in this role will need to be flexible to come onsite for four to five days when needed.
This position will remain open until Tuesday, July 15, at 5:00 PM ET, after which applications will no longer be accepted.
What we provide:
- The opportunity to use your organizational expertise and broaden impact across the scientific landscape through this uniquely positioned role .
- The chance to work with and support outstanding scientists at all career stages at HHMI.
- Opportunities to use and develop your talents toward the critical work of advancing inclusion while being an integral member of a dedicated team .
- A generous salary and competitive package that includes up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement each year and a significant budget for professional development.
What you'll do:
- Support the VP/CSO in setting and executing departmental strategy, tracking progress on major initiatives, and managing cross-functional priorities.
- Serve as facilitator for information flowing to and from the VP/CSO. Collect, analyze and synthesize information to support decision-making by the VP/CSO and department leadership.
- Work with other members of the Science Department to identify what issues require escalation to the VP/CSO and what can be resolved by others.
- In collaboration with the Executive Assistant, oversee or contribute to the planning and follow-up of key leadership meetings, ensuring that the VP/CSO's time is focused on strategic priorities and actionable outcomes.
- On behalf of VP/CSO, coordinate and direct work across other Senior Directors in the Science Department to ensure efficient communication, coordination, and implementation of shared goals.
- Support the VP/CSO in ensuring key decision points and issues are effectively presented to the President and other members of HHMI senior leadership, as needed.
- Serve as a connector between teams within the department to improve alignment and minimize duplication.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks in workflows across different parts of the department.
- Support change management efforts as new systems, structures, and priorities are introduced, working with colleagues in Strategic Program, Project, and Change Management.
- Draft high-level briefing materials and presentations for the VP/CSO.
- Monitor key metrics and report out on departmental activities, initiatives, and performance to internal stakeholders and external partners, tailoring communication to the needs of various audiences.
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven, and inclusive culture within the department and with external partners.
- Work closely with the Executive Assistant to make sure VP/CSO has the administrative support necessary to stay focused on high-priority responsibilities and maintain momentum across key initiatives.
What you bring:
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 12 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in senior administrative and strategic roles.
- Experience working with academic or research institutions; familiarity with the structure and culture of higher education strongly preferred, especially if experience is in the context of basic biological and biomedical research.
- Demonstrated success managing several complex projects, from inception through completion, including creating project plans, tracking deliverables, and managing stakeholder consultation and communication.
- Demonstrated success managing complex operations and operating in matrixed organizations.
- Experience working with or advising senior leadership and navigating high-stakes or sensitive issues.
- Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills; able to inspire trust and maintain confidentiality.
- Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and manage cross-functional collaboration.
- Able to translate strategy into execution while prioritizing measurable outcomes.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with evolving priorities.
- Proven ability to anticipate challenges and provide proactive solutions.
Physical Requirements:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-NG1
Compensation and Benefits
Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.
Compensation Range
$245,996.80 (minimum) - $307,496.00 (midpoint) - $399,744.80 (maximum)
Pay Type:
Annual
HHMI's salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.
HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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