Director, Bioinformatics and Software

Summary: The Director, Bioinformatics and Software directs and coordinates activities related to research, evaluation, selection and/or development of software solutions, and maintains ongoing knowledge of systems that support the mission and purposes of the Garden. Additionally, the Director, Bioinformatics and Software leads and participates in strategic IT/System planning functions of the Garden. The Director supervises and evaluates staff and develops and controls budgets relative to areas of assignment.

This role will also develop discovery research by designing systems architectures and infrastructures for the computerization of data and directs the development of biodiversity informatics tools, preparing reports and managing staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Directs and manages software and data analysts and technical staff to develop, implement and support bioinformatics and software projects including Tropicos, Living Collection Management System, the World Flora Online and herbarium digitization.
• Plans, leads and directs Garden process and technology systems projects.
• Directs and manages ongoing software support for Garden technology systems including Garden websites, cloud applications and data integrations between internal and external systems.
• Plans, leads and directs Garden-wide business integration initiatives such as development of cross-divisional performance metrics.
• Provides consulting, analysis of business processes/operations, and project/program leadership to other Garden divisions, as required.

• Manages employee/volunteer hiring and selection process as well as employee work assignments, coach/develop performance for success, provide professional development of staff and volunteers, review/approve timesheets, maintain accurate attendance records, complete annual performance evaluations and goal setting sessions with assigned employees, handle all disciplinary actions, etc.

• Monitors employee/volunteer productivity, workload and morale with the goal of promoting employee/volunteer satisfaction while accomplishing the division's mission.

• Seeks partnerships with external projects to further the Garden's mission and objectives, ensuring ongoing effectiveness of the Garden's programs and outreach through partnerships with community, institutional, governmental, commercial, and business organizations and agencies.
• Prepares reports and summaries evaluating effectiveness of the programs and projects.
• Meets established schedules and deliverable milestones for all funded projects.
• Communicates development progress of grant-funded projects to administrators and other stakeholders.
• Works to obtain grant and donor funding, develops and manages all budgets, contracts, funding development, submission of grant proposals and reports.
• Responsible for the thorough, accurate and timely completion of administrative responsibilities including, but not limited to submission of expense reports or related, staff appraisals and finalization of goals, budget and other reporting updates, etc.
• Represents the Garden and presents reports on Garden bioinformatics projects and discoveries at programs, meetings, trainings, conferences, etc.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position leads the Garden's Bioinformatics and Software team that consists of employees, contractors, interns and volunteers.

Core Competencies:

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision-making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
• Leadership - Incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years' relevant and increasingly responsible experience with a record of successful career growth leading to significant management responsibilities,, including minimum of seven (7) years leading software development teams and biodiversity informatics projects..

• Fifteen (15) years' experience in people management including conflict resolution and other related management experience.
• Seven (7) years' experience working on biodiversity informatics projects, biodiversity data and standards.

• Thorough understanding of biodiversity informatics systems, standards, and methods.
• Thorough understanding of specimen and literature digital imaging processes.

• Thorough understanding and exceptional ability to manage quantitative scientific, business and financial information.

• Budget development and management skills; advanced understanding of financial operating budget process.
• Experience with grant proposals and grant project management and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must demonstrate an ability to proactively and collegially interact with other departments.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct, knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures and systems, maintains confidentiality.
• Must be able to effectively manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, demonstrate and instill in staff members a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and service to the organization.

• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays. Frequent travel required (domestic and international).
• Requires comfort with managing remote team communications and coordination.
• Prior experience working with diverse teams including international members required.

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines.
• When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a sophisticated environment.

• Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Strong organizational skills; attention to details
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• M.S. degree in Computer Science or related field, such as biodiversity informatics preferred.
• B.S. degree in Computer Science or related field, such as biodiversity informatics, required.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Language Skills:

• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills in English.
• Not required to be multi-lingual

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written)

• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills required.

Mathematical Skills:

• Advanced college math aptitude requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, probability and statistics, financial calculations/ratios, etc.
• Exceptional ability to understand, analyze and create budgets.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the observation, analysis and resolution of issues.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the allocation of resources.

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Strong need for logical troubleshooting of system/business process related issues.
• Ability to work with a team of people through analysis and troubleshooting to resolve issues
• Project & Program leadership skills essential
• Requires ability to exercise independent judgement to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

• Minimum Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a sophisticated environment.

• Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Strong organizational skills; attention to details.

Computer Skills:

• Experience with software development methodologies, tools and techniques and database management systems required.

• Advanced experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and Access (or similar database management application); PowerPoint required.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Visio, MSSQL preferred
• Experience in implementation & configuration of packaged software solutions for business applications desired
• Proficient experience using Internet related applications required.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to move about facility frequently throughout work day, and sit for extended periods of the work day (may sit up to 75% of work day).
• Required to use hands to finger and handle objects.
• Required to reach with hands and arms.

• Principally operates standard office equipment to include computers, copiers, files, fax machines.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout workday, and sit for extended periods of the workday (may sit up to 75% of workday).

• Ability to travel independently for long periods in economy class on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international.

Work Environment:

• Principally operates standard office equipment to include computers, copiers, files, fax machines and presentation equipment
• Responsibilities sometimes require working evenings and weekends, sometimes with little or no advanced notice.
• Occasional off-site meetings will be required.

• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to staff and outside contacts, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding human resource policies and procedures.
• Indoor office setting; shared work space, office environment with multiple staff within the department.

• Frequent domestic and international travel to other institutions working temporarily at meeting and event venues.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Garden employees at all levels.

• Garden volunteers.
• State and federal agency representatives.
• Persons and organizations providing or potentially providing funding.
• Communicates with project collaborators and organizations both inside and outside the Garden.
• Regularly interacts with software vendors and implementation consultants.
• Communicates regularly with department and division managers, plus other project stakeholders on development progress.
• Periodically interacts with members of the Board of Trustees and various committees of the Board.

Supervisor: VP, Information Technology,