Department: MED-Center for Food Allergy & Asthma
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will join a collaborative research team within a dynamic research environment. This position will support the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR), directed by Dr. Ruchi Gupta. As a center with a presence in the both the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) and Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), CFAAR provides community and stakeholder engagement infrastructure across the research spectrum.

The Start Eating Early Diet (SEED) Study aims to explore early infant introduction of peanut and other common food allergens (egg, wheat, cashew, and walnut) in the US and the impact of early introduction on food allergy development between ages 1-3. Over 1,500 infants will be enrolled from diverse pediatric practices in Chicago.

This position will help coordinate the day-to-day operations including monitoring project activities; facilitating meetings with appropriate parties; helping to track project tasks.  Ensures that all study activities are completed by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Provides direction in reviewing & recommending policy & procedure designed to enhance operational excellence of a program/project in order to ensure success.  Ensures the effective, compliant, & efficient daily management of all operational, financial, & business functions in support of the business area's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Facilities, IT, & Provost.  Represents program/project on internal & external administrative affairs by recommending alternatives & suggestions. 

The program/project is summarized below.  (Definitions: Program: plan or system of taking action toward a goal.  Project: planned actions with specified beginning & end.)

Please highlight areas of responsibility:

• Administration   
• Communications   
• Evaluation
• Faculty Support
• Grants/Contracts 
• Program Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Strategic Planning

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains & reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion.
• Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives.  

Grants & Contracts

• Builds relationships with Principal Investigators (PIs) & NU research associated offices
• Transfers knowledge & advises on research policy & procedure.

Human Resources

• Recommends organizational structures to align with strategic mission. 
• Supervises implementation of human resource programs, policies, procedures & talent management lifecycle & related mentoring & training. 
• Manages recruitment & selection process; Performance Excellence plan for each employee; & merit increase process. 
• Supervises & provides consultation regarding complex performance problems & issues; administers leaves; approves timesheets & oversees completion of annual staff Conflict of Interest survey. 
• Applies HR policy to maximize effectiveness of HR administration to meet strategic plan objectives. 

Program Development

• Coordinates with program/project sponsors on the delivery of all onsite instruction and provision of logistical support.
• Continually assesses and innovates program/project to achieve goals.

Regulatory Compliance

• Manages development & implementation of processes & procedures for all safety, security & compliance programs.
• Manages compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.

Strategic Planning

• Manages & implements strategic plans. 
• Reviews plans, meets with leadership & key faculty & staff.
• Provides advice & counsel & recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.

Supervision

• Supervises 1-2 staff.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years program/project administration or other relevant experience. 

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to collaborate with professionals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong Organizational skills.
• Proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations, executing projects accurately and on time.
• Highly reliable team player.
• Clear and effective communicator and collaborator.
• Experience using EPIC
• Completion of NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience with patients, clinicians, investigators, and the public in the conduct of collaborative research.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.