Administrative Director, Children's Learning Institute

Position Summary:

UTHealth Houston's Children's Learning Institute (CLI) at McGovern Medical School's is currently recruiting for an Administrative Director to oversee the day-to-day business and administrative operations of CLI's affiliated programs. This includes managing personnel, facilities, finances, budgets, and the submission and administration of grants.

Under the co-direction of April Crawford, PhD and Tricia Zucker, PhD, CLI is the preeminent resource for learning solutions that produce tested, proven, effective results through scientific research and evidence-based interventions. The Director will play a pivotal role in advancing CLI's vision and mission by collaborating closely with the institute's leadership, faculty, Principal Investigators (PIs), and staff. Their focus will be on expanding initiatives and cultivating projects to support and propel CLI's research endeavors.

In this role, close collaboration and partnership with the Procurement Office and the Office of Development and Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) are essential. This collaboration is crucial for managing the pre- and post-award processes for various funding sources, ensuring grant compliance with budgetary, legislative, and organizational policies. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for supervising and mentoring a team of three full-time employees (FTEs).

Ideal candidates should possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, preferably within academic medicine, showcasing a proven track record in successful business and research administration and operations. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is desirable. Strong written and verbal communication skills, coupled with effective negotiation abilities, are essential qualities for this role.

Ideal candidates should possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, preferably within academic administration, showcasing a proven track record in successful quality improvement (Q/I) project management, business and research administration and operations.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Plans and implements the operational, financial, and administrative activities of the Institute. Develops and maintains continuity of the administrative infrastructure to ensure efficient and financially sound operations. Directs the administrative operations of the Institute.
• Resolves issues/concerns to ensure that the goals of the Institute are achieved.
• Assists with the evaluation, preparation and monitoring of the Institute's budget(s), including funding sources/grants, and ensures compliance with all grant, legislative and organizational regulations, policies, and procedures. Prepares and interprets financial analyses reports, and cost studies to better support the Institute's mission.
• Serves as an Institute liaison for UTHealth departments, schools, faculty and staff, and various external agencies and organizations. May represent the Institute at special events and/or functions. Serves on or leads various school, university and/or external professional committees.
• May ensure department IT needs are properly met and helps monitor compliance of department IT infrastructure in accordance with organization policies.
• Responsible for preparing and implementing strategic plans for the Institute that may have concurrent timelines.
• May manage or provide general assistance with procurement activities, equipment purchases and equipment inventory and/or oversee new site developments.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and university and program policies and procedures.
• Models and promotes a team environment, quality care and customer satisfaction.
• Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluation, and salary planning.
• May manage contracts for professional services, processes contractual agreements.
• Compiles financial and personnel reports for grants and contracts at the Institute level and ensures fiscal integrity by evaluating budgeted expenses and revenues against actual expenditures by providing monthly updates and plans for variations.
• May act as a designated responsible party for financial reporting for the Institute. Ensures accounts are reconciled in a timely manner and that the adequate separation of duties are established and maintained; and that any contingent liabilities are identified and adequately communicated to the university's central financial reporting personnel. Affirms that financial information for the Institute reflects actual results of operations.
• Coordinates activities in establishing grant protocol with institutions that may be involved in similar activities as named by the grant.
• Assists Principal Investigator and their staff with pre and post award administration and coordinating, including oversee proper close-out of grants and contracts, including final financial reports to grant agency.
• Distributes to Principal Investigators pertinent information relating to contractual provisions and obligations.
• May train staff as necessary; develops and maintains a processes and procedures manual.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• Database and spreadsheet skills
• Managing pre and post awards

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Healthcare Administration or related field required. Master's Degree preferred.

Minimum Experience:

6 years of experience in healthcare administration, research, or related field required.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code § To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code § , the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.