Operations Manager – Scientific Research Labs (Hybrid) Full-time

HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – even stretching into film and media production. Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between. The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation. As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and professionals. Together, we’re unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

About the Role:

We have an exciting opening for a Science Operations Manager to lead our Science Operations Office located at HHMI’s Headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD. At HHMI, Science Operations Managers serve as the first point of contact and operational liaison to assigned HHMI research laboratories and our partner Host Institutions. These roles play an integral part in championing and upholding HHMI’s policies, practices, and procedures. Through building strong relationships across HHMI, you will partner on the delivery of financial, human resources, procurement, and host/lab services while acting as a change champion for ongoing process improvement efforts. One of the key responsibilities of this role is to ensure alignment with HHMI’s mission, vision, and culture among office and lab staff. It will be critical to model strategic leadership behaviors, be self-directed, and be able to balance the labs’ preferences and perspectives with organizational priorities and policies.

Occasional travel is required to host institutions across Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia to participate in events and meetings.

This role will be part of a hybrid work environment, with the expectation of 3 days on-site and the remainder remote.

What We Provide:

• A team that values and champions a culture of continuous learning, creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking.

• A role well positioned to support an organization that is fundamentally changing the scientific landscape by implementing initiatives emphasizing HHMI’s core values.

• A mission-driven team that is passionate about their work and an environment where colleagues help each other.

• A comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive pay with a 10% employer contribution to your retirement, a hybrid work schedule, broad benefits options, and much more.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the local relationship manager and liaison to HHMI investigators, lab staff, Science Operations Office (SOO) staff, host institution officials, and HHMI headquarters staff on science operations matters for The Carnegie Institute, Johns Hopkins University, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Maryland – College Park, The University of Maryland – Baltimore, Duke University, and The University of Virginia.

• Build and leverage relationships with key host institution partners to address policies, procedures, and campus service transactions. Maintain knowledge of host safety and disaster recovery preparedness guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Work within Concur, Workday, Abacus, and Ariba to help support lab activities (including expense reimbursement, lab procurement activities, etc.)

• Directly oversee Science Operations staff, including running day-to-day responsibilities as well as mentoring and coaching to ensure business continuity and career development.

• Lead and participate in projects and process improvement efforts by serving on cross-functional teams and collaborating with peer groups and managers. Champion and constantly work to improve administrative processes

• Collaborate with department leadership, Science leadership, the SOO team, and fellow Science Operations Managers (SOMs) to ensure adoption and compliance with standard policies, procedures, processes, and technologies to promote consistency.

• Prepare annual budget for SOO. Monitor laboratory budgets providing oversight and consultation to investigator/delegate. With the guidance of the Regional Business Manager, perform various fiscal/budgeting services for Investigator labs such as personnel forecasting/transfers, encumbrance monitoring and financial audits.

• Partner with various Operational teams, including Procurement, People & Culture, Finance, and others to support coordination between labs and responsible teams for facilitating:

• Lab procurement needs and ordering, as well as monitor and approve activities such as expense reimbursements, graduate student payments, and capital equipment requests

• Visa processing, personnel changes, salary planning, among other HR processes.

• Facilitation of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) with labs, hosts, and Office of General Counsel (OGC) and handle intellectual property issues as they arise.

• Work with both the Host Institutions and HHMI to lead the opening and closing of HHMI research labs, lab and office space changes, and lab renovation requests.

• Lead fixed asset inventory.

• Serve as back-up for other SOMs during leave and vacancies. Train and onboard science operations staff as needed.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education required

• A minimum of seven to ten years of experience in an operations/administrative leadership role, including responsibilities for purchasing, human resources, and budget management

• Proficiency working with information systems and technologies – ideally Workday, Ariba Procurement, Office 365, SharePoint, and Zoom.

• Prior experience serving as a relationship manager focused on leading and influencing others, with a consistent record of building and maintaining strong networks to connect the right people to accomplish goals.

• Experience working in a matrixed environment with geographically dispersed staff, colleagues, and direct management.

• Experience with successfully supervising and coaching your team

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and critical thinking skills and strong, sound judgment

• Ability to create, analyze and report on operational and financial metrics to monitor progress and drive improved performance.

• Experience in process improvement, project management, and change management is highly desirable.

Application Instructions:

During the application process, please submit a cover letter stating how your qualifications and experience match the requirements and how your experience will support HHMI in its mission.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis. #LI-KS1

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our site to learn more.

Compensation Range
$117,350.27 (minimum) – $146,687.84 (midpoint) – $190,694.19 (maximum)

Pay Type:
Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate’s education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

We use to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Tagged as: Life Sciences