Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Senior Innovation Research Network Manager will work closely with the Network’s faculty co-directors to conceive of, and refine, strategic directions for the Network as well as translate that vision into operations and activities. The The Food and Agriculture Research Mission (FARM), an Innovation Research Network in the School of Public Health (SPH), is advancing interdisciplinary solutions for healthier food and a healthier planet by bringing together expertise from academia and the private and public sectors. The Senior Network Manager, FARM will work closely with FARM’s co-directors to conceive of, refine, and enact strategic directions for FARM. The Senior Network Manager will coordinate and implement projects and initiatives, including diverse stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, budgeting, event planning, and administering funding programs.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Supports efforts to position FARM to advance research that will inform FARM priorities, focusing on trends and developments in the field regionally, nationally, and internationally.  
• Develops a detailed strategic plan together with FARM’s co-directors and the Executive Director, Networks and Innovation, for executing the objectives of FARM.
• Develops and maintains a system to track and monitor progress in achieving metrics based on FARM's strategy, which includes metrics of engagement within and outside the institution, grant funding, publications and other written products, and impact, defined as influencing or changing clinical, economic, or policy practice.

Network Management

• Prioritizes and independently manages complex activities as identified during strategic planning. These may include but are not limited to: collaborating with other Innovation Research Networks in the School of Public Health; developing work timelines; preparing briefs and reports; engaging internal and external stakeholders; disseminating FARM products; and identifying and responding to funding opportunities.
• Prepares FARM’s annual report.
• Collaborates with the Communications Director, SPH, on FARM content for the SPH website and other internal and external communications outlets; ensures the currency, accuracy and relevance of FARM communications assets and collateral.
• Manages FARM's budget, including budget planning, forecasting, and tracking expenditures. Works closely with SPH finance and accounting teams to ensure compliance with financial policies and guidelines. Identifies opportunities for leveraging other funds, cost-saving and efficiency improvements.
• Plans and coordinates regular meetings with FARM personnel and internal and external partners.  Work involves agenda development, maintaining detailed notes for FARM-related meetings, and leading meetings with key stakeholders to advance objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Establishes and maintains regular communication with and between key stakeholders critical to achieving success, other personnel and units associated with the Innovation Research Networks, including faculty, staff, students, community partners, and regional/national/global colleagues.
• Represents FARM co-directors and the SPH at internal and external meetings, conferences and events.
• Collaborates with internal (other WashU schools, departments, etc.) and external organizations (other universities, governmental agencies, funders, nonprofit and private sector entities) to promote FARM’s initiatives and projects.
• Provides thought leadership and navigates complex situations, leveraging high levels of influence.
• Coordinates a regular cadence of meetings involving FARM stakeholders from across the university. Prepares agendas, distributes materials, and facilitates discussions during meetings. Ensures that action items and follow-ups are tracked and completed. Fosters effective communication and collaboration among the team members, delegating tasks as appropriate.

Team Supervision and Coordination

• Supervises/manages research assistants and performs other duties as assigned.  
• Collaborates with other SPH teams, including Research Development and Data Management and Analytics. 

Event Planning and Execution

• Determines and prioritizes activities of the most significant impact, as well as contributes to the development of event content for communication purposes.
• Plans and executes FARM events (e.g., seminars, symposia, and workshops). This includes, but is not limited to, collaborating with stakeholders to determine event goals, themes, and logistics, managing event budgets, including cost a