LAI Senior Director - Administration - Operations & Strategy

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At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care-and your career.

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A Brief Overview

The Lurie Autism Institute is a groundbreaking research institute jointly established by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Medicine), founded through a transformative gift from the Lurie Family Foundation and the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation. Designed as a preeminent international center for autism research, the Institute unites CHOP's renowned pediatric research enterprise with Penn Medicine's world-class medical and scientific community to accelerate discovery, collaboration, and real-world impact in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Senior Director, Administration, Operations & Strategy serves as the senior operational leader of the Lurie Autism Institute, working in close partnership with the Founding Scientific Director to translate the Institute's visionary goals into sustainable, high-performing operations. As senior administrative, operational, and strategy officer, the Senior Director is responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure, staffing, financial systems, and strategic communications frameworks that support the Institute's mission and ensure all scientific and programmatic efforts are grounded in sound, scalable operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and steward a newly launched, high-profile, bi-institutional research institute. The Senior Director will operate at the intersection of science, strategy, philanthropy, and institutional partnership to position the Lurie Autism Institute as a global leader in autism research and innovation. The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-oriented administrative executive with proven leadership experience in complex, matrixed organizations, within academic medicine, research institutes, major non-profits, or industry. They are a systems thinker and skilled relationship-builder who thrives in innovative environments, bringing both operational rigor and creative problem-solving.

What you will do

Strategic Leadership & Partnership

• Serve as the chief administrative partner to the Scientific Director, co-leading strategic planning, institutional growth, and mission execution.
• Translate mid- and long-term vision into actionable plans, scalable processes, and staffing models.
• Represent the Institute to internal and external stakeholders, including CHOP and Penn development teams, donors, and advisory groups, alongside or on behalf of the Scientific Director.
• Ensure Institute operations remain agile and responsive to evolving scientific priorities, philanthropic strategies, and institutional opportunities.
• Partner with scientific and academic leaders in collaborative governance models.

Operational & Administrative Management

• Build and oversee all core administrative functions: finance, HR coordination, facilities, compliance, IT, procurement, and research operations, including collaboration with CHOP and Penn leadership.
• Establish joint operating protocols and collaborative systems that align with the policies and cultures of both CHOP and Penn.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant institutional, sponsor, and donor requirements, including those specified in formal gift agreements.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, including annual budget development in partnership with the Scientific Director and CHOP and Penn Chief Scientific Officers.
• Oversee financial management of the Lurie Autism Institute Term Fund and Research and Program Endowed Fund, ensuring adherence to donor intent and institutional policies in collaboration with CHOP and Penn finance partners.
• Monitor and report on Institute expenditures and revenues, including indirect costs, maintaining alignment with CHOP and Penn financial governance standards.
• Support philanthropic stewardship efforts alongside CHOP and Penn development teams, including preparation of annual joint donor reports.
• Collaborate with the Scientific Director and other stakeholders to prepare and co-lead biannual stewardship meetings.

Marketing & Public Relations

• Lead development of a cohesive, mission-driven messaging and branding strategy for the Lurie Autism Institute in partnership with CHOP and Penn marketing and communications teams, ensuring unified positioning across channels.
• Collaborate with the Scientific Director to implement communications plans that elevate the Institute's visibility, impact, and reputation as a leader in autism research.
• Oversee creation and dissemination of high-impact materials and digital content highlighting scientific milestones, strategic initiatives, and community engagement.
• Support planning and promotion of key events, conferences, and donor communications to strengthen public awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Institutional Relations & Governance

• Serve as a primary liaison to administrative leaders and offices at both CHOP and Penn.
• Coordinate the Institute's engagement with the Internal (CHOP/Penn) Lurie Institute Advisory Committee, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the Community Advisory Board, including meeting planning, materials preparation, and follow-up actions.
• Support execution of responsibilities outlined in the CHOP and Penn gift agreements, including donor recognition, reporting, and long-term sustainability planning.

Culture & People

• Foster an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative organizational culture that respects and integrates the values of CHOP, Penn, and the Lurie Autism Institute.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and professional development for administrative staff and shared operational resources.
• Promote transparent communication and collaboration between administrative and scientific stakeholders across institutions.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree - Required
• Master's Degree in a healthcare related field - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least twelve (12) yearsof clinical research or research administration experience- Required
• At least ten (10) yearsof leadership, management or supervisory experience- Required
• At least three (3) yearsof grant writing and/or grants management and coordination experience- Required
• At least three (3) yearsof financial management experience, including budget preparation and management- Required
• At least three (3) yearsof resource management, project management and coordination experience- Required
• At least twelve (12) yearsof cost analysis and budgeting or sponsored projects management experience- Preferred
• At least ten (10) yearsof leadership, management or supervisory experience in a clinical research or academic environment - Preferred
• At least five (5) yearsof financial management experience, including budget preparation and management in a hospital or medical school environment - Preferred
• At least five (5) yearsof editing, including manuscript preparation, galleys, proofs, etc. experience- Preferred
• At least five (5) yearsof pediatric research experience- Preferred
• At least fifteen (15) yearsof clinical, basic, translational research or research administration experience- Preferred
• At least eight (8) yearsof leadership, management or supervisory experience in research, research administration, operations, or finance within university, academic medical center, or institute settings; familiarity with CHOP and/or PENN institutional environments is a plus- Preferred
• At least five (5) yearsof financial management experience, including budget preparation and management, grants administration, endowment management, and/or donor reporting- Preferred
• At least three (3) yearsof resource management, project management and coordination experience- Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency with office software (Microsoft Office) including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Advanced knowledge of the strategic and execution aspects of clinical and/or translational research
• Substantial knowledge of the grant submission process
• Substantial knowledge of the faculty appointment process
• Substantial knowledge of research, research protocols, etc. (medical school & NIH)
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent critical thinking / problem-solving skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to convey complex or technical information in an easy-to-understand manner
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.