Science Director Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Houston Methodist, the Director, Research Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, and operational oversight of multiple research programs. This position oversees all aspects of research operations, including research finance and administration, pre- and post-award grant management, clinical research budgeting and grant policy compliance, laboratory regulatory compliance, and institutional research support activities. The Director serves as a key operational partner to research leadership, ensuring the effective management of financial, administrative, and research resources in support of the organization's scientific mission.
The Director provides leadership and oversight of a management team responsible for the full lifecycle of research administration, including pre-award proposal development and submission, post-award financial management and reporting, research agreement administration, salary allocation management, capital equipment planning and oversight, coordination of scientific and financial progress reports, space management, institutional and philanthropic support funding, annual fiscal year budgeting, and coordination of core research services. This position also serves as a liaison with the Clinical Trials Office and other institutional stakeholders to facilitate the administration and execution of translational and team science research programs. In addition, the Director oversees research managers coordinating workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and human resources activities, while ensuring alignment with institutional policies and strategic priorities.
The Director is responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and reporting of monthly, quarterly, and annual research financial and operational metrics for department leadership, executive administration, and external stakeholders. This role develops and implements operational strategies, policies, and procedures that enhance efficiency, accountability, and service excellence across the research enterprise.
The Director oversees departmental personnel and resources, ensuring high levels of quality, productivity, operational effectiveness, and customer service. Responsibilities include employee engagement, organizational development, staffing and succession planning, budget development and compliance, hiring and termination oversight, performance management, coaching, and professional development. The Director fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement while supporting the achievement of strategic and operational goals.
This position ensures that research operations are conducted in accordance with institutional policies, sponsor (NIH and CPRIT) requirements, ethical standards, and all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and governmental requirements. The Director leads training, monitoring, compliance, and operational initiatives that promote responsible stewardship of research resources and maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability. The Director may also assume additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned in support of departmental, institutional, and research strategic objectives.

FLSA STATUS
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Seven years of people management experience; for internal employees, six years of experience in relevant field with HM performance that demonstrates leadership responsibility. Seven years of research administration experience, preferably in academic setting.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
N/A

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially about activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization
• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one's own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation agency requirements that impact department; stays abreast of industry changes
• Demonstrates highly effective communication skills-strong written communications and platform presentation abilities
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace
• Capable of leading teams/facilitating groups, building consensus and garnering highest confidence in professionalism and work product by senior leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities; highly responsive and solution/action oriented
• Proficiency in spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software
• Maintains a positive and supportive attitude and demeanor
• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
• Demonstrates knowledge of lab operations management, clinical research revenue cycle experience and experience in pre and post award grant management

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs, develops and implements strategic and operational/high level projects and processes either through independent/highly autonomous work or through the facilitation of work teams to enable the effective and efficient completion of objectives.
• Oversees management of and ensures development for staff to meet overall objectives in terms of quality, service and cost effectiveness. Provides timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem. Directs management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees.
• Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department turnover and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
• Provides leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes.
• Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one's area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals. Drives the promotion of teamwork within and between departments; participates and/or leads and facilitates department process improvements as needed.
• Ensures employees are highly engaged and motivated as reflected in EOS scores.
• Provides mentoring and coaching to operations managers and administrative staff.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversees department operations, designated projects, schedules and activities as needed to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Drives department service standards and activities to impact department and/or system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serves and actively participates on various entity committees as a voice for the department.
• Ensures the highest quality customer service to research faculty.
• Ensures the Research Affinity Group financial and operational model is periodically reevaluated and updated for maximum operational efficiency.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment; monitors and/or revises the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines. Responsible for staff maintenance of credentials and competencies, per accrediting/ licensing agency and/or department guidelines as applicable.
• Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of safe outcomes and information systems by monitoring and improving the department workflow and enhancing operations, using peer-to-peer accountability and identifying solutions via collaboration. Implements process improvements utilizing tools such as lean principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.
• Ensures employee compliance to policies and procedures and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., licensure/certification compliance, focal point review requirements, disaster plan, in-services, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.).
• Optimizes process for clinical research study start up efficiencies.
• Conducts periodic evaluations and updates to clinical research revenue cycle processes as needed, in order to ensure compliance with clinical research billing regulations.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and manages department operational and capital budgets, approvals, and ongoing maintenance of the department(s), ensuring operation in a cost-effective manner. Proactively identifies and plans for capital needs related to current equipment and future department projects. Ensures staffing plans and schedules meet department needs that reflect understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness.
• Creates department strategies to achieve financial target and staffing needs, through optimizing productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
• Creates department strategies to effectively manage faculty portfolios of funds while working within the project and granting agency guidelines.
• Ensures research affinity group financial model is up to date and relevant to the groups' mission. Provides periodic reviews and education at research leadership meetings to ensure adherence to the model.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department, entity or system operations by leading unit projects and/or other department/ system-directed activities. Proactively leads task forces and committees. May represent HM at assigned community or professional organization meetings.
• Drives change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures. Partners effectively with stakeholders as appropriate.
• Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates My Development Plan (MDP) on an on-going basis. Conducts conversations with staff on their development and MDP.
• Employs a proactive approach to help ensure meaningful growth in research program by collaborating with faculty leadership. Serves as a liaison with industry partners to promote a healthy relationship and ongoing business collaborations.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• WORK ATTIRE
  • Uniform: No
  • Scrubs: No
  • Business professional: Yes
  • Other (department approved): No
  
  ON-CALL*
  *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
  • On Call* No
  
  TRAVEL**
  **Travel specifications may vary by department**
  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Work Shift:

1 - Day (United States of America)

Job Category:

Non-clinical Houston Methodist is one of the nation's leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.