Director of Translational Research Operations

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Department: Perelman School of Medicine

About the role

The Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H) at the University of Pennsylvania aims to translate immune data into clinically actionable measurements, drive new discoveries, and shift paradigms of clinical care. I3H is seeking a Director for the Translational Research Unit who bridges scientific research with business and commercial goals. This position serves as a senior leader responsible for developing operational workflows for routine scientific outputs, managing budgets, overseeing projects from conception to completion, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The Director will translate complex scientific deliverables into robust operational pipelines to ensure financial sustainability, scientific integrity, and professionalism. The Director will manage the Translational Research Unit staff, develop and implement strategic objectives aligned with the larger goals of Immune Health, and support financial management and growth of the service center. This includes identifying and proposing improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle; collaborating on service rate development and billing oversight; establishing QA/QC protocols; establishing and ensuring digital chain of custody for samples; and serving as the primary point-of-contact for internal and external investigators. The individual should have proven experience in organizational growth, change leadership, and building high-functioning teams, preferably in a biomedical science environment, with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills to represent the organization effectively at local, national, and global levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of operations and scientific professionals, setting and monitoring goals, addressing performance challenges, and overseeing hiring and onboarding for Translational Research Unit staff.
• Develop business and product strategies; work with the Director of Immune Health to align goals and strategy of the Translational Unit with overall goals of Immune Health.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop updated service rates, oversee billing for services, and provide quarterly reports capturing itemized expenditures and revenue.
• Serve as point-of-contact for internal and external investigators interested in using Translational Research Unit services; ensure seamless communication for new study planning and onboarding.
• Establish and oversee QA and QC protocols for each service in the Translational Research Unit, ensuring data is routinely recorded, organized, and stored; create and oversee project trackers.
• Identify and propose improvements to enhance robustness, quality, and efficiency throughout the sample lifecycle, working with the Assistant Directors of Processing and Platforms.
• Lead conceptual development and maintenance of client-facing website; develop internal- and external-facing tracking system for clinical cohorts and services in collaboration with the data infrastructure team.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of R&D to develop and implement new services; partner with communications staff to develop marketing materials; draft and negotiate MOUs for external partners.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years of experience, or Master of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in organizational growth, change leadership, and building high-functioning teams in a biomedical science environment.
• Experience in immunology strongly preferred.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to represent the organization effectively at local, national, and global levels.
• Position contingent upon funding.

Pay

Annual salary range: $112,433.00 – $120,000.00. Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: tuition assistance for employee, spouse, and dependent children at Penn; dependent children also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: generous Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans with pre-tax or Roth options; investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: substantial paid time off for vacation, personal affairs, illness, injury, and family.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: offered in partnership with Genworth Financial for faculty, staff, and eligible family members; no proof of good health required for newly hired employees.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: wide variety of programs and resources to support health, family, and work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: array of resources for personal and professional advancement.
• University Resources: access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, cultural events (e.g., Penn Museum, Annenberg Center, Penn Relays), many free or discounted for employees and families.
• Discounts and Special Services: savings on arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cellular plans, movie tickets, theme parks, and vehicle purchases from Ford and General Motors.
• Flexible Work Hours: non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures to promote work-life balance.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: forgivable loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia, usable for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses (travel, court fees) for up to two adoptions per household.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.