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Director Chemistry

Employer
Southern Research
Location
Irondale, AL
Closing date
Oct 12, 2022

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Sector
Science, Chemistry
Organization Type
Corporate
DIRECTOR CHEMISTRY

General Summary
This position is responsible for leading and managing a department of professional and technical employees; preparing labor, material, and capital equipment budgets, and managing resources as allocated in them. Works closely with other functional areas to ensure that appropriate resources are available to support the overall department efforts (i.e., Finance, Business Development, Human Resources, Safety, Facilities). Incumbent will maintain a highly efficient, profitable, and quality oriented staff team, while providing subordinates with opportunities for professional growth.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Set the vision and strategy for the chemistry team, including new directions, people and projects.
  • Responsible for the effective operation of department activities that have an impact on the organization.
  • Accountable for department revenue generation. Prepares, reviews and submits proposals to clients; interacts with existing clients to monitor work progress on existing grants/contracts to ensure profitability.
  • Develops new client relationships.
  • Ensures effective management of programs or processes to include relevant compliance considerations.
  • Directs research and development programs consisting of multiple related projects involving collaborations with other groups both within and outside of the Institute.
  • Raises the external visibility of the SR chemistry team.
  • Continues to maintain independently, funded research programs.
  • Maintains and develops external scientific relationships and collaborations with other academic groups as well as industry.
  • Identifies new opportunities and joint collaborations.
  • Creates a work culture that values teamwork and holds people accountable.
  • May be asked to serve on internal ad hoc committees as well as external review committees.
  • Primary customer interface for the department to generate cost estimates and proposals, negotiates terms and conditions of contractual relationships.
  • Oversees the implementation of projects to ensure projects meet time, quality, and cost objectives. Will frequently use independent judgment to make decisions and must exercise a high level of confidentiality to disseminate sensitive information.
  • Manages departmental staff to include hiring, training, advancing, appraising, motivating, disciplining, and assuring healthy and safe working conditions of staff members.
  • Implements HR processes and other administrative responsibilities associated with the direct supervision of professional and technical resources of the functional group.
  • Continues to build the group through new strategic hires.
  • Responsible for budget development and monitoring; ensures the appropriateness of time and materials charges to projects, and manages the integration and timely support provided by these groups to other groups.
  • Works with SR management to develop plans for the new discovery building.
  • Mentors of staff, postdocs, and graduate chemistry students.
  • Actively participates in all SR collaborations such as the NCI CBC program, the ADDA program and all external drug discovery collaborations and NIH contracts.
  • Retains currency in field of specialization by staying abreast of changes, both internal and external, which affect the operation of the group.
  • Develops relationships with colleagues in CRO Services where joint applications and institute-wide research programs/funding are available.
  • Implements and observes appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements, and study protocols.
  • Implements and observes appropriate safety and health practices including personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe laboratory practices.
  • Performs other duties as may be required by senior level management.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
  • PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry.
  • Fifteen + years of directly related functional experience with a minimum of five years managing a professional staff.
  • A track record of funding with peer-reviewed publications and patent portfolio.
  • Possesses expert knowledge and is an externally recognized authority within the field of specialization.
  • Demonstrated experience initiating new initiatives/projects.
  • Experience in managing scientific collaborations and contracted research.
  • A strong diverse knowledge of modern chemistry.
  • Critical thinking and proven problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated organizational skills.
  • Possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has strong oral and written communication abilities, and must possess ability to interact and communicate effectively with staff members, other SR personnel, clients, and customers.
  • Knowledgeable and current in chemistry practices and advancements as evidenced by activities such as active professional development and speaking engagements.
  • Knowledge of business acumen and practices; ability to understand and apply cost and financial accounting concepts.
  • Strong customer focus and experience working with external contractors, such as partner industrial companies or external laboratories.
  • Effective team building and teamwork skills.

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