Research Business Operations, Director

About the Role

Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and partnership strategy for research commercialization, industry-sponsored research, and technology development in alignment with the Scientific Chair’s and SRAlab’s enterprise priorities.

Direct the planning and initiation of SRAlab’s portfolio of industry-sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations, including portfolio prioritization, timelines, resource allocation, budgeting, site coordination, regulatory requirements, risk management, and performance tracking.

Lead business and financial negotiations for clinical trial agreements, research collaboration agreements, and related industry contracts in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel and Office of Research Administration, and direct the development of commercially and operationally sound budgets.

Develop and oversee financial strategies, budgets, forecasts, pricing frameworks, and negotiation parameters for sponsored research and commercialization initiatives; lead negotiations with industry sponsors to ensure appropriate cost recovery, margin alignment, risk management, and long-term financial sustainability.

Establish cross-functional resource and staffing plans with the Office of Research Administration and SHARE leadership to support the effective execution and scalable growth of sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations.

Develop and oversee strategic relationships with partner institutions, including academic medical centers, to expand access to capabilities, sites, expertise, and other resources required for successful conduct of clinical trials and research collaborations.

Lead enterprise-wide, cross-functional initiatives and governance processes involving legal, business, marketing, research, fundraising, clinical, and operational leaders; establish shared priorities, decision pathways, accountability, and performance expectations.

Serve as one of SRAlab’s senior business representatives with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, digital health, and academic partners; cultivate executive-level relationships, identify and evaluate collaborative research and product development opportunities, and lead business negotiations to ensure strategic alignment, equity, accountability, and clear decision and execution pathways.

Establish and monitor portfolio-level performance metrics, financial and operational dashboards, forecasts, and risk indicators; regularly report results, opportunities, and corrective actions to research and executive leadership.

Advise the Scientific Chair, Chief Scientific Officer, and other research leaders on market dynamics, partnership models, commercialization pathways, investment priorities, and the business implications of emerging opportunities.

Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development and partnership strategy for research commercialization, industry-sponsored research, and technology development.
• Direct the planning and initiation of SRAlab’s portfolio of industry-sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations, including portfolio prioritization, timelines, resource allocation, budgeting, site coordination, regulatory requirements, risk management, and performance tracking.
• Lead business and financial negotiations for clinical trial agreements, research collaboration agreements, and related industry contracts.
• Develop and oversee financial strategies, budgets, forecasts, pricing frameworks, and negotiation parameters for sponsored research and commercialization initiatives.
• Establish cross-functional resource and staffing plans to support the effective execution and scalable growth of sponsored clinical trials and research collaborations.
• Develop and oversee strategic relationships with partner institutions to expand access to capabilities, sites, expertise, and resources.
• Lead enterprise-wide, cross-functional initiatives and governance processes involving legal, business, marketing, research, fundraising, clinical, and operational leaders.
• Serve as a senior business representative with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, digital health, and academic partners.
• Establish and monitor portfolio-level performance metrics, financial and operational dashboards, forecasts, and risk indicators.
• Advise research leaders on market dynamics, partnership models, commercialization pathways, investment priorities, and business implications of emerging opportunities.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline required; MS or PhD is a strong plus.
• MBA preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, contracting, and operational requirements for the conduct of clinical research and industry-sponsored programs.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in research business operations, business development, strategic partnerships, commercialization, or sponsored research within healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, or an academic medical center environment; ten (10) years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership in structuring and negotiating complex collaborative research agreements, clinical trial agreements, strategic partnership agreements, and associated financial terms with industry sponsors.
• Strong understanding of product-focused commercial research and development, technology transfer, intellectual property, clinical development, and commercialization processes.

Skills

• Outstanding enterprise leadership, portfolio management, and program execution skills.
• Proven track record of influencing cross-functional teams and building durable executive relationships with corporate and institutional partners.
• Exemplary executive communication, influencing, negotiation, judgment, and conflict-management skills.
• Ability to establish strategy, operating discipline, performance metrics, and decision frameworks while working effectively in a fast, innovative, fluid, and entrepreneurial environment.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

Reports directly to the Scientific Chair of Technology & Innovation.