Executive Director, Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center

In 2013, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $100 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center (Sanford Center) at UC San Diego. This gift established the Sanford Center, a $286M program to accelerate development of drugs and cell therapies inspired by and derived from current human stem cell research. These advancements establish, promote and disseminate clinical trials and patient therapies that will help more quickly transform promise into reality. The Executive Director provides advice to the Director, supervises personnel, and organizes a range of activities in regenerative medicine clinical trials and development of research.

Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center (Sanford Center) is among the University’s most highly visible and top priority interdisciplinary and multi-institutional programs. Sanford Center provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, on a daily basis Sanford Center personnel work with all nine Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego Health, Sanford Center motivates University-wide change and sustainability, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed. Sanford Center has led several successful and highly visible interdisciplinary faculty recruitments, committing to over $19M towards faculty start-up, retention, and research funds across VC areas. Sanford Center also played a pivotal role in securing over $49M of grants from California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), awarded respectively to dept. of Bioengineering, Pediatrics, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, Medicine, and Sanford Center.

Sanford Center integrates its clinical operations at two UC San Diego Health medical centers - Jacobs Medical Center (JMC) and the Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion (KOP) - encompassing 12 inpatient beds and outpatient exam rooms. We have contributed $9M towards the capital construction of JMC and KOP and are committed to another $3.5M towards the completion of these medical centers. Sanford Center is also a significant contributor ($3M) to the expansion and operations of UC San Diego’s GMP facility – Advanced Cell Therapy Laboratory (ACTL), located at 10300 Campus Point Dr, San Diego, CA 92121.

The ACTL consists of two ISO 7 clean rooms and a laboratory, occupying 1675 sq ft. In addition, through its basic science arm – UCSD Stem Cell Program - Sanford Center provides needed resources and coordination to research conducted at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine – an innovative “collaboratory” of San Diego scientists from five major stem cell research institutions: UC San Diego, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Scripps Research Institute, and La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, the Executive Director will manage the general operations and resources of Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center. By combining strong knowledge of regenerative medicine and stem cell research with deep understanding of financial structures, grant budgets, and capital planning the Executive Director will serve as the chief adviser to the Director in the strategic development, operational and programmatic growth of the department. The incumbent will also be responsible and accountable for the operation and performance of the department. The position oversees a range of activities in regenerative medicine clinical trials and development of research through Sanford Center program leads.

The position will be responsible for and provide direct oversight of the overall daily management and leadership of the financial and administrative activities of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center. With a high degree of autonomy, key areas managed will include finance and accounting; contract and grant administration; clinical research; human resources (academic and staff); instructional services; space/facilities; IT and outreach. The position will independently oversee and manage all financial resources for the Sanford Center, including grants, university funds, and philanthropy funds including the annual operating budget of $22M and roughly $100M in research funds including the Sanford gift, CIRM grant, and institutional support.

This is a key managerial position responsible for the growing stem cell clinical research portfolio at UC San Diego Health. With a strong focus on the development of clinical research and care programs, the Executive Director will determine objectives and direct the implementation of the contents and operational infrastructure of Sanford Center’s six programs (Pull-Through, Regulatory Development, Counseling, Genomics & Imaging, Clinical Trials, and Clinical Care).

The Executive Director will serve as a member of the executive management team and participate in strategy sessions to address complex and sensitive issues. Provide administrative leadership in the development of policies, procedures and strategies. Partner with senior leadership and program leads on management and overall administrative direction of center programs including strategic planning, development of objectives, organization, allocation of resources, training, and development and supervision of personnel.

The incumbent will ensure all units and personnel comply with policies and regulations germane to the individual activities of the organization. The Executive Director will make decisions on behalf of the department/work unit, and has a central role in the process of formulating management decisions. Because of the enterprise-wide impact of the Sanford Center programs, the Executive Director position has a ‘dotted line’ reporting relationship to the Asst. VC/Controller in the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer. The incumbent will serve as liaison between scientific investigators, University and VC Health Sciences executive leadership, government agencies, and University administration, Sanford Consortium member institutions and other private or 501(c)3 entities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in related area; or equivalent combination of experience and training.

• A minimum of eight (8+) or more years of relevant experience.

• Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals.

• In-depth expert knowledge of extramural contract and grant requirements and regulations for sponsored research, and university policies and procedures governing the administration of federal and non-federal contracts and grants.

• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; accounting and payroll.

• Proven ability to project budget costs, coordinate multiple projects, adapt programmatic objectives to changes in resources and establish priorities as affected by budgetary issues.

• Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Experience with crisis situations and proven ability to facilitate and resolve interpersonal conflicts.

• Strong project management skills and experience, including the capability of managing capital projects.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate and influence others and to develop and maintain high standards of customer service.

• Proven leadership and managerial skills with ability to act within UC personnel policies and in the best interests of the employee, unit, and the University. Ability to function effectively under pressure and cope with a variety of personalities.

• Skill in working as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues and faculty, and ability to establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships.

• Very strong ability to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution. Skill in analyzing complex issues or problems, formulating and implementing creative and appropriate solutions having evaluated all risks and consequences.

• Strong organization, negotiation, and decision-making skills, with expertise in clarifying and resolving conflict situations.

• Thorough knowledge using a variety of software for word-processing, spreadsheets, data management, presentations, calendaring, web and publication design (e.g. Microsoft Office suite, Adobe suite, etc.)

• Control of standard English in written and spoken form. Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing,electronically, and by spoken word with a variety of people from vendors to faculty.

• Strong knowledge of management theories and techniques, strong managerial skills; effective supervision skills, including the leadership ability to establish and maintain positive and productive goal-oriented working relationships and to facilitate a quality team and public service environment.

• Excellent supervisory skills to organize workload, delegate responsibilities, recruit, interview, select, train, mentor, evaluate and perform corrective action/ discipline staff; knowledge of University personnel policies and procedures.

• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; accounting and payroll.

• Knowledge of and experience with other research policies, including technology transfer, conflict of interest, conflict of commitment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related field. Scientific coursework desirable.

• Knowledge of the applicable UC policies and procedures governing academic and staff personnel, accounting, contracts and grants, purchasing, equipment and space inventory, administrative computing, and other areas related to the responsibilities of the position.

• Experience in facilities management, space planning, and allocation in a University setting.

• Knowledge of medical standard of care billing process.

• Knowledge and experience in clinical research budget preparation.

• Knowledge of UC San Diego Health clinical and ancillary services.

• Knowledge of patient education resources at UC San Diego Medical Center and in the community.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

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