Director-Operations, Human Performance, Gait & Mobility Labs

The Human Performance, Gait & Mobility Labs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital brings advanced functional assessment tools and new motion capture technologies to improve health outcomes and quality of life for children with cancer, childhood cancer survivors, and pediatric neurologic disorders.

This position is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Human Performance, Gait & Mobility Labs, including developing policies and procedures that ensure compliance with regulatory agencies, designing and implementing research protocols and clinical activities, and leading efforts to support the institution’s strategic plan.

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee research and clinical activities for the Human Performance, Gait & Mobility Labs including supervision of laboratory leaders, coordination of patient interactions with laboratory staff, research coordinators, clinical research associates, and administrators.
• Design, manage and participate in neurologic, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary fitness assessments for research protocols and clinical activities.
• Contribute to the development of research funding opportunities and clinical program development by providing analysis of current and future capacities, logistical planning, and research and institutional compliance.
• Drive resource planning and process development in line with strategic priorities and support the department and institution’s leadership teams.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders at multiple levels in the organization and external collaborators to drive results.
• Influence external stakeholders strategically through proactive engagement.
• Actively drive processes for team management in terms of goal setting, performance, development, and engagement.
• Accountable for budget management for own area.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in rehabilitation services, exercise physiology, physical therapy, or related field required.
• Master's degree, Clinical Doctorate, or PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in clinical research testing and/or intervention including experience managing mid-large teams with focus on both achievement of objectives as well as critical skill-building.
• Research experience preferred.
• Pediatric experience preferred.
• Demonstrated scientific knowledge (e.g., experience in the preparation and presentation of clinical data or in-service/ training programs to clinical personnel).
• Experience having led large-scale programs/processes through to implementation.
• Experience with operational management, budget planning, and vendor & resource management.
• Prior experience in building external connections with peers, emerging clinical research communities, and vendor networks.
• Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by Law:

• Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) by the American College of Sports Medicine or Licensure by the Tennessee Board of Examiners, Division of Health Related Boards in Physical or Occupational Therapy.

Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Drives and monitors clear goal setting, accountability, and feedback for the department (and matrixed teams). Manages employee relations issues as they arise. 
• Guides the performance of direct reports (or indirect if managing people indirectly) through coaching and development.
• Consistently evaluates and addresses the team’s overarching development needs in line with the talent strategy.
• Provides deep expertise across breadth of techniques within area of human performance, gait and mobility to direct projects and studies.
• Champions the adoption of appropriate innovative and emerging practices/approaches within human performance, gait and mobility that would enhance clinical research outcomes.
• Provides regulatory guidance and oversight during development, planning, and implementation of protocols to align with requirements for successful regulatory submissions and safety reporting.
• Engages with regulatory authorities to facilitate optimal regulatory outcomes. 
• Provides oversight and training to cross-functional teams around relevant regulatory frameworks, approved study protocols, and sponsor study-related SOPs to ensure the safety and rights of study participants.
• Evaluates design, conduct and documentation of clinical studies, and identifies areas of improvement to optimize clinical study outco