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ASSOCIATE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DHVI
Job Title: ASSOCIATE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DHVI
Job Code: 2199
FLSA: E
Job Level: 98
Revised Date: 08/01/2025
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
The Associate Chief Operating Officer (A COO) will assist the Principal Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Director of DHVI in the aspects of the DHVI operations. The A COO provides leadership, management, and vision ensuring proper operational controls, procedures, safety protocols, compliance requirements, and systems are implemented and followed. The A COO directs operational initiatives to effectively grow business and ensure financial strength, operating efficiency, and collaborates with senior leadership to lead the organization toward achieving research and development as well as product development goals and objectives. The A COO will be responsible for the daily oversight of facilities, Duke RBL staffing, management, and safety. The work conducted by the A COO may be accomplished independently or as assigned by the Principal COO.
Work Performed
Collaborate with the Principal COO and Institute Director to establish and accomplish organizational goals and objectives, as well as strategic plans for the organization.
Collaborate with and assist the Director of DHVI in any of their duties.
Collaborate with the Finance Director and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to optimize profitability in conjunction with short term and long term business strategies, goals and objectives.
Collaborate with the DHVI CAO to develop solutions to improve business practices to make them more efficient.
Work closely with the CAO to examine the research and development aspects of the Institute and organizational readiness.
Direct and oversee the daily operations and staffing for the Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL), a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) research facility, including compliance, security, safety, building access, training, and request approvals.
Directly supervise RBL, BSL 3, and facilities management and staff.
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Disaster and Emergency Response Plans, maintenance and cleaning schedules, facility space assignments, cold storage logs, and facility expenditures.
Participate in strategic planning with the organizations goals that contribute toward obtaining funding support, cost containment and research productivity.
Provide leadership to management offering advice, guidance, and direction on business matters, including operational policies and procedures, new business initiatives, and management of existing client relationships.
Foster a success oriented and accountable environment.
Develop plans for research and product development expansion activities in conjunction with business maintenance and renewal of identified accounts.
Identify opportunities to increase value and services to client.
Actively contribute to new research and product development presentations where needed.
Oversee the alignment of staff, processes, policies, and institutional assets for an optimal balance.
Identify and implement change initiatives throughout the organization that improve workflow and productivity.
Facilitate communications among DHVI staff and programs to remove obstacles, improve responsiveness, facilitate prompt decision making and foster collaboration.
Initiate and participate in strategic and tactical brainstorming sessions across all initiatives.
Collaborate with management (including the RBL Director, Core Unit Leaders, Duke Department leadership, DUPD, DIDRT, and DHVI management) to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to accommodate appropriate responses and rapid growth objectives.
Review operating results, comparing with established objectives, and recommend appropriate measures to enhance outcomes.
Collaborate with setting goals and objectives, monitor progress, assist with performance development, and measure job performance.
Maintain open performance and development communication, encouraging growth.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Work requires a Bachelor degree in business, finance, accounting, science, or related field.
Experience
Ten or more years of experience managing administration and financial operations in a healthcare or medical research related organization. Experience in financial control systems, grants and contracts management, information systems, and all financial aspects relating to complex academic medical research systems.
Minimum of 10 years prior management experience.
Master degree in business, finance, accounting, science, or a related field may substitute for two years of required experience.
Skills
Proficiency in areas of management and development.
Must be highly motivated and possess the ability to provide leadership and achieve results in a fast paced environment.
Dedicated work ethic and ability to multi task.
Ability to make sound judgments.
Superior problem solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively & efficiently.
Strong foundation of knowledge/experience in medical affairs, clinical research and regulatory affairs.
High ethical, scientific and clinical standards.
Ability to develop and execute operational strategies and to quickly change course based on the feedback of peers and collaborators.
Requires effective communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and teamwork skills, including the ability to excel and lead in a matrix environment.
Excellent management, planning and networking skills.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
