Director, HHMI Research Communication Platform (Hybrid Schedule)

HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists - even stretching into film and media production. Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between. The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation. As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

Summary:

As part of HHMI's commitment to drive scientific discoveries, we are working to modernize how the scientific community shares and credentials research findings and, in turn, recognizes scientists for their contributions. To promote early and open sharing of HHMI research outputs, HHMI will create a new content and community platform. This platform will display and collate HHMI research articles and data originally published by preprint servers and journals and link them to additional information and outputs to facilitate re-use and interpretation of the original research.

The Director will oversee and manage the launch and ongoing operations of the HHMI platform. This role will lead the definition of digital platform development and related publishing functions, hire the team that will deliver the platform and its services, and collaborate closely with HHMI scientists, HHMI staff and external partner organizations. The successful candidate will have expertise in product development and management and a deep understanding of the field of scholarly communication. The candidate should also be familiar with and a proponent of open research.

This newly-created position will report to the Chief of Strategic Initiatives. This is a national search. We prefer you work in a hybrid model at our headquarters campus in Chevy Chase, MD, and/or our Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, but remote arrangements will be considered. During the interview process, we can discuss potential remote arrangements and/or relocation expenses, if applicable.

In this role, you will:

• Hire and lead the project team that implements technology, product, and editorial/production functions

• Engage the HHMI community in the development of the platform and its services

• Align platform product development and services with HHMI open research strategy; track and report on progress and outcomes relative to HHMI stated goals

• Manage the definition and delivery of assigned product development projects, collaborating with relevant stakeholders, UX & design teams, and the technology vendor for the product(s), along with carrying out user testing and feature rollout

• Recommend key roadmap (or section of roadmap) priorities, in consultation with manager and stakeholders

• Collaborate with key team members from across the day-to-day running of the product(s) to improve efficiencies and solve product-related issues

• Communicate internally and contribute to external communication, with non-technical language, as relevant, to ensure product enhancements and success are promoted and understood within the HHMI community and beyond, and that any issues or bugs affecting the use of the product are shared and handled, as appropriate

• Interact regularly with platform users to ensure full understanding of their wants, needs and perspectives

• Establish strong relationships with product stakeholders, promoting the reputation of the product, and the product innovation work.

• Actively engage in emerging technologies, techniques and innovations to drive strategic business decisions.

Education & Experience:

• MS or equivalent or a combination of education and related experience

• Experience working in Product Management

• Familiarity with academic publishing and the latest tech trends, specifically open source softwares

• Research lab experience preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• An understanding of and appreciation for open research policy and practice

• Team management experience both as direct supervisor and matrixed relationships up and down

• Strong knowledge of product management best practices

• Interpersonal and leadership skills to influence and build credibility with project teams and the scientific community

• Strong communication and active listening skills; ability to manage inquiries and inputs from a variety of audiences

• Must be skilled in working collaboratively and effectively with employees at all levels of the organization with the ability to influence others.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to handle ambiguity well, and to exercise independent judgment to handle all types of situations

• Problem solving skill of prioritizing and effectively progressing many competing priorities or ideas

• Excellent time-management skills and able to handle projects and responsibilities with competing priorities.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our site to learn more.

Compensation Range

Pay Type:

HHMI's salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.