Assistant Director Laboratory and Administrative Operations

Case Western Reserve University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Campus, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under limited supervision, the Assistant Director will manage all aspects of the Case Cleveland Incubator laboratory operations and administrative services. Case Western Reserve University’s Incubator is designed to provide Northeast Ohio start-up companies with an initial laboratory and office to conduct business activities to assist the start-ups in growing and expanding their companies. The incubator will also function as a dynamic community for innovation and entrepreneurship to support the tenants as they expand and develop. The incubator provides cutting-edge shared laboratory facilities and resources to early-stage biotech companies, enabling them to accelerate their research and development efforts.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Manage operations and administrative services of the Case Cleveland Incubator. Develop, maintain, and oversee policies and procedures for space utilization, equipment maintenance, laboratory organization and utilization, and environmental health and safety requirements. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to increase operations efficiency of the laboratory, supporting establishment of new programs and processes to fit future laboratory tenants. Lead efforts to optimize equipment maintenance schedules, prepare equipment for service and coordinate schedule with equipment end users. Lead small special projects to support operations, such as organizing lab cleaning, freezer defrosting and space planning. Perform regular audits to ensure safety compliance within the lab areas; lead environmental health and safety initiatives seeking to continually improve safety culture and processes. Maintain and report on several aspects of conference, administration, and laboratory utilization. (40%)
  • Provide technical planning expertise and leadership for lab facilities. Participate in group meetings to collect program needs for laboratory specifications. Develop a comprehensive understanding of tenant’s scientific equipment needs and policies for completion. Using a customer service-based approach, work closely with tenants to solve complex operations workflow, lab management issues, and unique ad hoc requests for laboratory services. May lead period project meetings and presentations; ensure tenant is adequately briefed on project status. Act as a liaison for service requests between tenant and Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, UTech and Procurement departments. Manage laboratory supply inventory; work with Procurement to complete order requests processing and creation of standing purchase orders. (20%)
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for site visits and coordination with key leadership and potential tenants. In collaboration with University Marketing and Communication, develop Incubator collateral and plan for its distribution. Facilitate on boarding and off boarding of tenants. Lead orientation and ensure familiarity with incubator resources for new tenants. (20%)
  • Enhance the overall experience for tenants, promoting a supportive and collaborative environment within the incubator. Foster community and collaboration among tenants. Develop educational programming (events and workshops) to support a dynamic environment for networking, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship, and business development to increase the likelihood of tenant success in growing and expanding their start-up companies.  Celebrate interaction and mutual support within the incubator community. (18%)

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    NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS

  • Participate in the development and implementation of recruitment strategies to attract and engage prospective tenants. Represent the Incubator at networking events and/or conferences. Build relationships with community organizations and educational agencies to enhance recruitment efforts. Conduct informational sessions and presentations to promote the institution and its programs. Respond to inquiries from prospective tenants and provide accurate and timely information about requirements, programs, and community. (5%)
  • Perform other duties as assigned (2%)

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    CONTACTS

    Department: Regular contact with the Office of Research and Technology Management staff and administration to facilitate purchasing and other administrative duties.

    University: Moderate contact with Facilities to coordinate maintenance and improvement activities.

    External: Continuous contact with existing and potential building tenants to promote, describe, and facilitate incubator facilities and programming and coordinate usage of shared laboratory resources.

    Students: None.

     

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

    None

     

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Experience: 3 years of related experience required. Prefer experience in a facility designed to facilitate the development of startups, especially in the healthcare industry. Prefer experience working in a chemistry, biology, or cell therapy laboratory. Prefer program development, management, and customer-facing experience.

    Education: Bachelor of Science in life sciences required; prefer Master of Science.

     

    REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Excellent communication skills: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Must understand the effective and safe operation of typical chemistry and biology lab equipment.
  • Must have working knowledge of health and safety protocols for typical chemistry and biology lab environments, including writing or revising standard procedures.
  • Ability to actively learn—understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making, especially when considering the needs of current and future tenants in an active wet lab environment.
  • Ability to operate multifunction printing machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
  • Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  • Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers.
  • Good/strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.  Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through.  
  • Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a highly scientific team.  (Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and a self-starter).
  • Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. 
  • Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate sound judgment and good decision-making. 
  • Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to (work in a fast-paced, changing environment) conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
  • Must be willing to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
  • Must have a demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship.

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    WORKING CONDITIONS

    This position requires desk work (80%), walking around the building, and sensitive equipment (20%).  Will be asked to work flexible hours on occasion to attend off-hours events to promote and network with other regional professionals in the startup community.

    In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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    Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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