Director of Strategy

Department

BSD CTD - Data Science

About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the
broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, https://gen3.org/, https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

Reporting directly to the Director of CTDS, this role will serve as a critical partner in supporting the department’s goals and vision by partnering with other directors and senior leaders to lead a portfolio of strategic projects; providing leadership to managers and professional staff; being accountable for the performance and results of multiple related teams; developing departmental plans, including business, operational and/or organizational priorities; and making decisions guided by resource availability and functional objectives.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead high impact, mission driven strategies for the long-term future growth and vitality of the Center.

• Work closely with the Center Director, area directors and managers, technical leads, and program and project managers to ensure proper Center-wide, and program and project specific planning and, as needed, execution of plans.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously with impeccable follow-up and execution.

• Represent the Center Director on various communications and meetings with internal and external parties of mixed groups from individual subject matter experts to executive leaders within the Center, University, government agencies, and industry partners.

• Contribute to fund raising as appropriate and maintain involvement in pre-award processes for proper planning and setting of expectations.

• Develop and implement thoughtful non-technical change management and communication plans for Center initiatives.

• Provide informed recommendations to the Center Director on a wide array of issues associated with scientific, technical, and non-technical matters related to the Center’s mission, programs, and projects.

• Ensure new projects are well-positioned for success through collaboration with are directors, managers, technical leads, and program and project managers.

• Stay abreast of relevant policies and regulations, providing guidance and recommendations to the Center Director and other Center leadership on their impact.

• Act as strategic filter for the Center Director, problem solving for parties and identifying top priorities for the Director’s attention to optimize the Director’s time and increase efficiency for decision making.

• Provide support to the Center Director and other Leadership team members to execute critical organizational initiatives and special projects as needed.

• Liaise between Center Director and executive support staff and other Center Leadership as needed to ensure smooth scheduling, planning, and delivery of clear, concise reports.

• Supervise the Center Director’s Executive Administrative Assistant.

• May supervise other Center Leadership and provide indirect supervision/leadership to those not directly reporting to Director of Strategy.

• Implements objectives, as well as some long-term strategic plans respective to the department's focus.

• Maintains external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

• Performs ot