Canning Thoracic Institute Program Director - Translational Research Unit (TRU)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Canning Thoracic Institute Program Director - Translational Research Unit (TRU) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Program Director of the Translational Research Unit (TRU) at the Canning Thoracic Institute (CTI) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing clinical trial strategy, research infrastructure, quality, and financial management of clinical and translational studies. This role involves managing a diverse team, ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering stakeholder relationships, and leading clinical technology development and innovations. The Director will also oversee sponsored projects, manage industry partnerships, and collaborate with the Northwestern Medicine Ventures and Innovations team. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, financial management, operational logistics, stakeholder engagement, data coordination, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have a master's degree or higher, over 10 years of clinical research experience, and strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing Leadership to an assigned portfolio of projects/ initiatives through active engagement of NM Executives and all stakeholders.
• Lead activities including project proposal/ charter definition, budget development, resource allocation, management, information distribution and meeting facilitation.
• Provide proactive, clear, concise and timely communications regarding status of all initiatives and overall performance reporting among team members, NM Executives and vendor partners. Facilitate continuous exchange of ideas, information and developments. 
• Demonstrated Knowledge of Operational, Program and Project Goals: Recommends solutions that add value, strengthen project or operational outcomes, exhibits and understanding of Sponsor or user needs. 
• Achieves Results: Accountable for delivering projects and operational initiatives on-time and on-budget including successful execution/ activation, closeout and stabilization that meet stated Sponsor and stakeholder outcomes.
• Leads in organizational development and enhancement of management competence.  Develop educational, coaching and mentoring programs necessary to support the evolution as an execution-centered organization.
• Sets explicit priorities, establishes effective action plans, and anticipates obstacles and alternatives for challenging but realistic work goals.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and mobilize an organization by strategic thinking, decisiveness, enthusiasm, competence and integrity.
• Demonstrate the ability to deal with the changing environment and to lead/facilitate and manage change efficiently and effectively where appropriate.
• Unquestionable integrity, credibility and character with demonstrated high moral, ethical behavior.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 8-10 years industry experience.
• Strong Knowledge of Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point, Project
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills, excellent oral and communication skills, demonstrated ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers and constituents at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent capability to lead projects with budgets in excess of $1,000,000.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with peers and constituents at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated strong leadership capabilities.
• Strong skills in working with and negotiating with external vendors.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in related field preferred.

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.