Center Director for Data Modernization Solutions

Overview

The Center Director of Data Modernization (CDMS) oversees operations and establishes, plans and administers goals of Center in alignment with the Technology Practice Area; Wins, leads and/or manages highly complex Technology Practice Area projects designed to advance the state of the field and address the needs of policymakers and practitioners in the development, maintenance and support of technology solutions for client projects; Researches highly complex Technology Practice Area issues and reviews published and web-based Technology Practice Area products as relevant to the Center’s project priorities, decision makers, and clients.

The Center for Data Modernization Solutions (CDMS) uses information technology to improve the movement and use of data for effective mission implementation throughout the data lifecycle. CDMS advises on, designs, and implement data systems, components, and larger ecosystems to enable federal clients to manage their data as an asset. The Center is dedicated to helping clients maximize the use of scientific data to solve outstanding challenges in biomedical research and public health. Several of the most intractable health challenges, including addiction and infectious disease, require big data approaches to enable novel analytics and data science application.

CDMS works to create mission-informed data strategies, data governance, and implementations to enable data-driven decisions to power scientific insights from cardiovascular outcomes to social determinants of health analysis. CDMS collaborates with clients to develop and apply "fit-for-purpose" solutions to ensure data is managed as a strategic asset from the capture, integration, and appropriate analysis of data necessary for action through modern techniques and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of software developers in the building and maintenance of systems supports internal and client facing projects
• Assists leadership in the preparation and implementation of strategic plans.
• Plays a leadership role in committees or initiatives around operational and management issues (e.g., labor planning) within Technology Practice Area and SSES.
• Determines the appropriate tools, techniques, staffing and methodologies to meet the needs of the Center’s clients and advance the state of the technology.
• Has both strategic and operational accountability for the direction and performance of the groups being managed, including meeting financial and non-financial goals for the Center.
• Stays abreast of and leverages new methodologies to advance the business.
• Interacts with senior levels of the Practice Area to develop and deliver that accountability.
• Contributes across the Technology Practice Area and supports collaboration across SSES in working with senior managers on broad strategic and operational issues.
• Leads the development of the function ensuring sufficient resources and needed skill sets are present to meet the needs of RTI.
• Fully responsible for identifying and implementing improvements in work processes.
• Manages staff through performance planning, development and evaluation process.
• Ensures staff development and career progression.
• Ensures practices in place to drive towards a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Guides promotion and succession processes.
• As a scientific/technical manager, may write and review proposals or portions of proposals. Mentors staff in same.
• Supports business development activities relevant to the organization that they manage (the center) and to position RTI to go after those opportunities (through staff development, hiring, innovation, etc.).
• As a scientific/technical manager, may lead or advise appropriate part of complex projects; Mentors staff in project Leadership
• Oversees or identifies appropriate lead reviewers for project management review meetings for projects led by the Center; ensures processes are in place for Project Managers to receive appropriate project management and human subjects related trainings, mentoring, and oversight; ensures client feedback is requested and addressed; and ensures processes in place with Project Managers in the Center and the Practice Area Finance Partner on anticipating and addressing project overruns. (This may also be performed by SVP.)
• Ensures the professional credibility of the group function internally and externally with key clients, professional Organizations, and partners. Helps to develop the scientific and/or professional stature of staff.
• Oversees support to Practice Area operations, including but not limited to administration, and review, time reporting monitoring, corporate credit card administration, travel coordination, records management, and conference logistics.
• Monitor best practices and changes in procedures and adjust, update and disseminate the SOP documentation to ensure they are implemented and adherence by staff at all levels.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 20 years of experience, Master's degree and 16 years of experience, PhD and 12 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience managing customer-focused IT projects
• 5+ years of experience developing and implementing Project Management Plans
• Strong understanding of the needs of key federal clients, relevant Foundations, state and local entities and other clients.
• Experience leading highly complex projects with multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication skills and a desire to be involved in all aspects of the project life-cycle
• Strong problem-solving skills, thinking outside the box and dealing with ambiguity are skills that we value
  
  

Skills & Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of research priorities and methodological approaches required to meet the information needs of clients, stakeholders, and researchers
• Strong understanding of the needs of the Center’s key clients, relevant Foundations, state and local entities and other clients.
• Ability to establish linkages across the Center’s business lines, and across RTI, particularly at the intersection of those business lines where portfolio growth and scientific advancement are occurring.
• Successful record of obtaining competitive funding and scientific stature activities
• Excellent project and proposal management skills and engagement with clients
• Highly skilled in budget management, reporting systems, cost estimating, and evaluation of cost drivers.
• Communication and interpersonal skills required to guide, moderate and exchange information across all levels of the organization.
• Experience mentoring and supervising leaders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work well with others and independently
  
  

EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States.

RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range

$221,000 - $273,000