Operations Director, TDAAC

Operations Director, TDAAC

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Job Code 32911Y 32912Y 32913Y 32914Y 32915Y 32916Y

Recruitment Pool All Applicants

Posting Number req7392

Unit Massey Comprehensive Cancer Ctr MBU

Department

Department Website Link

Location MCV

Address Richmond, VA 23298 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

Benefits At a Glance

Continuing education for undergraduate and graduate tuition for a maximum of 6 credits per semester;

Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development, e.g. certifications, seminars, courses, annual conferences, mentorship;

28 Vacation Days, 12+ State Holidays, and 4 Days to volunteer;

Medical, Dental and Vision Health Benefits to meet the needs of employees and their eligible family members from the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as optional FSA;

Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options;

Parental and Caregiver Leave, Short Term Disability (STD), Disability Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mission: To reduce the state cancer burden for all Virginians by addressing the confluence between biological, social, and policy drivers through high-impact, cutting-edge research; person-centered care across the continuum, from prevention through survivorship; community integration; and training the next generation of community-centric researchers and healthcare professionals

Vision: To be a premier community-focused cancer center leading the nation in cancer health equity research and ensuring optimal health outcomes for all

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

As a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Massey’s mission is to reduce the cancer burden through high-impact, cutting-edge clinical research. Massey is seeking an experienced Operations Director for its Tissue and Data Acquisition and Analysis Core (TDAAC) Shared Resource. This key leadership role will work closely with TDAAC’s Scientific Co-Directors to ensure the integrity, compliance, and efficiency of biospecimen collection, processing, storage, and distribution to support cutting-edge cancer research and precision medicine initiatives. TDAAC’s Operations Director will:

Strategic Leadership: Engage Massey investigators regularly to ensure the services offered by TDAAC meet the needs of its users and forecast the need for future services. Develop and implement best practices for TDAAC operations consistent with industry standards and best practices while ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local requirements;

Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to IRB protocols, HIPAA regulations, CAP/CLIA standards, and other regulatory requirements governing biobanking and biospecimen handling;

Sample Management: Oversee biospecimen processing, storage, retrieval, and annotation while maintaining high standards of quality and integrity;

Data and Informatics Integration: Collaborate with VCU IT, VCU Health IT, honest brokers, and bioinformatics teams to implement and maintain robust laboratory information management system (LIMS) to ensure seamless integration with clinical and research workflows;

Collaboration and Outreach: Facilitate partnerships with internal and external researchers, ensuring efficient biospecimen access and supporting multidisciplinary cancer research;

Financial and Resource Management: Develop and manage operational budget and optimize biobank sustainability through strategic financial planning;

Training and Supervision: Lead and mentor staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement;

Innovation and Advancement: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in biobanking, implementing cutting-edge strategies to enhance efficiency and utilization.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

MS in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Public Health or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training;

5+ years’ experience in biobank operations;

5+ years’ experience with biospecimen handling, laboratory management, LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), and regulatory compliance;

Ability to discuss leading a team, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate effectively with researchers, clinicians, and administrators in an interview;

Ability to discuss familiarity with federal and state guidelines related to human specimen collection and storage in an interview.

Candidates whose resumes highlight the following previous experience will be prioritized:

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU;

Intermediate proficiency with data entry and word processing skills, with the ability to analyze and interpret information effectively;

Intermediate organizational abilities and a keen eye for detail to ensure accuracy and efficiency in all tasks;

Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with colleagues and stakeholders;

Interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships and collaborating with team members at all levels to gather information and support compliance efforts;

Problem-solving and organizational aptitude, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Please note VCU is not able to provide ongoing visa sponsorship for this position.

Please note this is a restricted position.

Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health system's facilities, you will need to follow VCU Health System policies, which will include but will not be limited to, vaccination requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD or MD in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Public Health, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training;

5+ years’ experience in an NCI-designated cancer center biorepository;

5+ years’ experience in biobank operations within an NCI-designated cancer center or similar research setting;

5+ years’ experience with CAP’s biobank accreditation.

Please let us know if you were referred by a current Massey employee to ensure we honor our commitment to the Employee Referral Program.

FLSA University Employee

Job FTE 1

Exemption Status Exempt

Restricted Position Yes

E-Class UF - University Employee FT

Job Category University Employee

ORP Eligible Yes

Salary Range Commensurate with experience, range minimum of $85,000

Compensation Type Salaried

Target Hire Date 6/16/2025

Contact Information for Candidates

Documents Needed to Apply