Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Executive Director (Term position, 0.5 FTE) of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Project will serve as strategic leader for the Translational Technologies for Human Performance Sustenance and Resilience AFRL project program. This position will provide national and regional leadership for establishing the AFRL project program at Case Western Reserve University. The executive director will develop and champion a shared vision, establish organizational goals, create strategic plans, and set long range direction for AFRL project. The executive director will be responsible for management of all administrative requirements across the AFRL project program to ensure timely completion of milestones and deliverables at all sites, including development of necessary data security requirements and assisting in generating policies and procedures that protect sensitive data. The executive director will serve the primary point of contact with local principal investigators, consultants, and grants management specialists. The executive director will regularly communicate with the program managers and staff members at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, including the 711 Human Performance Wing. In coordination with the principal investigators of AFRL project, the executive director be responsible for monitoring and maintaining progress of all projects and the incorporation of all progress into complex and multifaceted scientific and financial progress reports for federal funding agencies. The executive director will lead the project planning to identify critical path activities and work ahead of investigators to fast-forward contracts, equipment, and supplies, to ensure research progresses on the fastest path possible. Additionally, the executive director will facilitate data sharing, establish a cadence of meetings with investigators of the consortium to drive performance against timely completion of milestones/sub-milestones and deliverables. The Interim Executive Director will work closely with AFRL project principal investigators, the Executive Advisory Board, and university leadership to ensure the ultimate success of the AFRL project program in clinical and commercial translation of the artificial joint through the clinical trial.
AFRL project is a megaproject that involves 6 large research programs at the university, and the formation of a new university institute. Developmental efforts also include establishment of the intellectual property and commercialization foundations for transitioning the concept as a clinical product while keeping the translation of the technology. This position is a part-time, term position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide leadership to ensure AFRL project national and global success as a biomedical innovation and medical device translation hub in sensor related technologies for the military. Involve a visionary approach in aligning and coordinating regional technological portfolio in engineering and medicine, with supplemental technologies from other national entities. Execute a structured and diligent organizational and management approach in keeping the vast number of members in the consortium to meet milestones in a timely manner and draw high-level input from the Advisory Board and translate the input to operational framework of the project. Build positive working relationships and collaborative arrangements with partnering sites, funding agencies, and relevant organizations to help achieve the goals of the consortium. Monitor changes in the needs of the consortium partners, and initiate responses where necessary. (30%)
Utilize effective and high-level communication skills on the national forum in interacting with stakeholders in governmental, private, and non-profit domains. Lead progress update meetings with the funding agency to advocate for the project¿s accomplishments and communicate with the agency¿s support hubs to draw support on aspects that the funding agency can support AFRL project¿s mission. Ensure preparation of the team for mission critical quarterly and annual meetings. (20%)
Lead AFRL project-affiliated university faculty in administrative, logistic, intellectual property (IP) and procurement aspects of their activities for meeting the milestones of the project. Interact at the local level with the clinical, research and manufacturing efforts to scope, organize, and manage projects (i.e., collaborations between Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veteran¿s Administration Medical Center, and startups). (20%)
Oversee the documentation, reports, and standard operating procedures from material generated from all project sites and coordinate drafting of unifying and comprehensive progress reports periodically to the funding agency on technical, commercialization, intellectual property, and financial aspects of the project. Keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the consortium¿s work. (25%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned (5%)
CONTACTS
Department: Weekly, occasionally daily, contact with the principal investigator of the AFRL project program. Daily contact with project staff to maintain workflow.
University: Regular contact with the leaderships of schools and departments and faculty who are affiliated with the project consortium. Occasional interactions with senior vice president for research and technology management and the associate vice president for research to coordinate central support to project operations. Regular contact with the office of Research and Technology Management. Contact with directors of relevant centers and departments across the campus.
External: Frequent contact with partners of AFRL PROJECT at the Air Force Research Laboratory and other defense agencies. Contact with representatives of local, national, and international companies as well as representatives of private investments (e.g., investors, venture capital, angel investors, etc.).
Students: No contact with students
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervise 2 administrative staff to serve the consortium members.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 20 or more years of experience in medical device development, including 5 years of experience in the medical device industry, required.
Education: Master¿s degree or higher required, preferably in engineering field.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Must have a deep understanding of targeted product development solutions in medical devices with firsthand involvement in development, verification, validation, regulatory clearance, and market launch of medical devices systems.
Prefer experience of interacting with established medical devices manufacturers, venture backed start-ups and clinical inventors is desired. Must be able to manage a varied development team including surgeons, academic innovators, technical experts, manufacturers, key suppliers.
Demonstrated record of leading activities within a complex multi-stakeholder environment and demonstrated ability to catalyze successful initiatives with industry, research institutes, and/or within academia.
Proven skills of leadership, collaboration, organization of individuals and a demonstrated commitment to build a quality technology program.
Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities and experience working with various stakeholders.
Excellent organizational, communications, and planning skills; ability to successfully ¿meet and match wits¿ with senior people in business and academia. Clear oral and written communication style required. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Ability to concurrently manage a large project that consists of interdependent sub-projects.
High integrity and proven ability to interact on a professional level with faculty, staff, representatives from industry, government, and the community.
Personal dedication to and fascination with the ¿endless frontier¿ of evolving science and technology. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Creativity and problem-solving capabilities; perseverance to get things done to high standards.
High energy and stamina ¿ to remain effective under stress and in long-drawn-out projects.
An understanding of advanced technology research and development directions, technology markets and the potential for economic impact of technology in North America and globally.
Strong analytical and negotiating skills required. Creativity and problem-solving capabilities required.
Conflict resolution skills required.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General work environment that includes normal office activities, speaking engagements, and university meetings. Travel as needed for meetings, workshops, conferences, and other business.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 20 or more years of experience in medical device development, including 5 years of experience in the medical device industry, required.
Education: Master¿s degree or higher required, preferably in engineering field.
