POSITION OBJECTIVE

　　The Senior Director of Administrative and Research Operations is the strategic leader for developing and maintaining productive, efficient, and effective administration of all research and academic operations in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, working fluently within systems in both the School of Medicine and the Case School of Engineering and serving as a bridge between both units. Because of the unique structure of the department being equally housed within two separate schools, this position will report to the chair of the department, with dotted line reporting to and support from the Associate Dean for Administrative Operations in the School of Medicine and the Associate Dean of Finance and Administration in the Case School of Engineering. In addition, this position will work closely with the Cleveland Clinical, Lerner Research portfolio to assure all projects and activities are in alignment with contractual and institutional policies. The senior director will represent the schools for the development of new administrative policies and procedures. Additionally, the senior director will work closely with senior leadership to develop long- and short-term strategic initiatives and will align staffing levels, positions, and organization structures within the changing environment to assure the best use of limited financial and human capital resources.

　　ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Strategic Planning: Provide strategic leadership in department operations by setting goals and priorities while measuring outcomes. Define and evaluate strategic alternatives through the development of financial models and reports, provide recommendations on a course of action when needed. Perform comprehensive reviews on policies and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the academic and research enterprise and to improve ease-of-function in the department overall. Work closely with the department chair and finance and administration leadership in both schools to assure strategic initiatives are incorporated into a department five-year plan. Make recommendations on policy development and implementations as well as strategic alternatives. Provide ideas and solutions to address problems and formulate alternative strategies. Identify and recommend cost saving measures and innovative business practices. (20%)

　　Sponsored Research: Oversee the administrative research operations including developing and maintaining productive, efficient, and effective administrative operations for Faculty with primary appointments in both schools. Collaborate with the department chair, faculty, and research administrative staff in the department and in school and university offices in order to enhance sponsored research grant programs. This includes seeking out funding opportunities and guidance in application processes. Work with 12 grant managers to prepare monthly financial reports for individual faculty with basic and/or clinical research grants and/or programs, establishing benchmarks for budgetary review. Review analysis of staffing expenses, non-salary expense projections, and annual funding to provide an opportunity for the faculty to effectively manage their individual research programs. Responsible for effort certification and year-end close. Oversee each team in the administrative research operations ensuring a research portfolio of approximately $25 million in direct spend per year. (25%)

　　Financial Management: Responsible for all aspects of department fiscal management, including prospective analysis of funding sources, faculty recruitment and start-up packages, endowments, and development of pro-forma financial statements. Meet regularly with the department chair to review performance matrices. Collaborate with the chair and faculty to enhance sponsored research grant programs. This includes seeking funding opportunities and guidance in application processes. Ensure monthly finan