Executive Director, Scientific Strategy & Operations

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The Allen Institute is launching a new moonshot initiative on human brain health and disease. This initiative aims to dramatically accelerate our understanding of human brain structure and function, identify the molecular, cellular and circuit basis of disease progression, and pioneer new therapeutic strategies targeting vulnerable and affected cell types. Our mission focuses on taking a human-centric approach to understanding and treating disease, combining a large-scale open science discovery approach across multiple diseases, AI-based disease modeling, and translational programs in specific diseases to move from discovery to clinical application. We aim to make transformational change in understanding and treating brain disorders, the biggest health challenge of our time.

The Executive Director, Scientific Operations, helps to advance the mission of the initiative by driving short- and long-term strategic planning, leading the research and administrative operations, managing supporting functions, and practicing solid stewardship and governance to facilitate the Institute’s scientific discoveries and technological advancements. This position reports to the Initiative’s Executive Vice President, and will oversee a range of activities including budgetary, contracting, laboratory and core operations, regulatory compliance, administrative assistance and meeting planning. This position will also manage relationships between the Initiative and shared resources and core facilities at the Institute and other science unit levels.

The Executive Director, Scientific Operations, will be responsible for fiscal planning and oversight, overseeing new initiative core support functions, facilitating collaborations across science units within Allen Institute, partnering with Legal, Finance, Facilities, and People and Culture teams, and promoting education and outreach activities. They will partner with Program Management and Alliance Management to manage a complex multisite collaborative portfolio and ensure operational delivery on ambitious scientific goals. The work will contribute to maximizing the Allen Institute’s impact to science and society by advancing knowledge and improving human health. The ideal candidate for the job will be visionary, highly motivated, team-oriented, agile, with excellent managerial and communication skills and a gift for creating operational excellence to balance growth and the long-term success of the Initiative’s major research endeavors.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Partner with the Executive Vice President to establish, coordinate and maintain cross-functional alignment towards achieving short-, medium- and long-range goal
• Lead short- and long-term strategic planning and its implementation to align with long-term vision and mission
• Establish innovative operational systems that support initiative prioritization, are adaptable, scalable, and can be aligned to new partnerships requirements
• Evaluate new ideas, technologies, and partnerships with potential to expand impact, including translational and spinout opportunities
• Be responsible for annual planning, execution, and evaluation to ensure delivery on scientific goals from internal and external programs
• Lead the development of annual budgets, maximizing alignment with strategic priorities via the annual budget process, forecasting, and long-range financial planning
• Actively manage timelines and communicate risks to senior leadership
• Build, lead, mentor and maintain a high-performing department that manages data cores, regulatory compliance and administrative assistance, and effectively supports and collaborates with all other teams
• Organize and coordinate joint scientific programs with other Allen Institute science units, including seminar series, annual meetings and workshops
• Serve as the primary point of contact for interface with Allen Institute's administrative teams, including other Scientific Operations Directors, People and Culture, IT, Legal, Finance, Communications, Events, and Scientific Support
• Plan for and execute on new initiatives as they arise
• Develop and promote education and outreach activities in collaboration with science and admin teams
• Represent and serve as a spokesperson for the Initiative at community-facing conferences or other events to enhance the impact of our work to both scientific community and general public
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including investors, partners, and collaborators
• Support fundraising efforts, investor relations, and strategic partnerships to accelerate business growth

*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*

Required Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or related field; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 10+ years of leadership experience in managing research projects or operations
• Extensive knowledge about neuroscience and mental health
• Deep understanding of start-up ecosystems, and business operations and strategy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational, leadership and management skills
• Proficient in MS Office suite, project management tools, and financial management tools
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, build teams, and drive execution in fast-paced environments

Preferred Education and Experience

• 15+ years of leadership experience in managing research projects or operations
• Extensive experience in managing large-scale and complex research operations and organizations
• Extensive experience in directly managing and leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience in strategic planning and organizational vision and mission alignment
• Demonstrated capability in financial planning and oversight, people management, meeting aggressive timelines, and being a spokesperson for the organization
• Combination of academic and industry experience
• Experience in brain disease-related research and/or clinical translation

Work Environment

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required
• Laboratory environment - possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)
• Hybrid working schedule possible

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel or reach
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office or lab equipment

Travel

• Occasional travel to partner sites or conferences may be required

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity may offer work visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

$239,900 - $314,850 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.