Vice President, Academic Strategy

At Houston Methodist, the Vice President of Academic Strategy position is responsible for the institute-wide academic and research strategic planning process and plan stewardship reporting by facilitating the development of strategic opportunities, partnerships, and initiatives that ensure long-term research and education excellence. This position reports to the Chief Academic Officer and serves on the Institute's senior executive team, working in concert with the Chief Business Officer and with senior leaders, program directors, external partners, and Houston Methodist corporate entities as a trusted leader for Institute-wide matters of academic strategic planning and development. The Vice President of Academic Strategy position provides scientific and strategic leadership to advance the Houston Methodist Research Institute's (HMRI) mission of translating innovative scientific discoveries into clinical applications that improve human health. This executive position will serve as a key strategic partner to both the President and CEO of HMRI and the Chief Academic Officer of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI), guiding long-term research and academic development strategies that integrate discovery science, clinical translation, and education. The Vice President of Academic Strategy position will develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan that positions HMRI and HMAI for national leadership driving national reputation in translational research, innovation, and academic excellence. The position requires a deep understanding of the biomedical research enterprise, clinical development processes, and the interface between research and graduate medical education.

This position reports directly to Executive leadership in the organization and has responsibilities which include providing management and oversight of multiple areas and entities, as appropriate, and driving Houston Methodist's mission, vision, values and commitment to excellence. Demonstrating a proven record of successful strategic planning, developing long-range goals and implementation, this position manages a diverse, interprofessional team, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve mutual goals. Directly and indirectly overseeing management staff with the goal of enhancing professional development and personal growth, this position forms and leads internal teams, providing training and mentorship as needed. This position collaborates with all senior leadership to meet the organization's objectives, ensuring operational initiatives are implemented, setting business goals, and solving internal issues when needed. Responsible for the assigned areas' policy and procedure development, revision, and implementation. This position is also accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position ensures compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

FLSA STATUS
Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Postgraduate degree in health, science, or business-related field, i.e., MHA, MPH, MBA, JD, PhD, etc.

EXPERIENCE

• Ten years of work experience in academic medicine, biomedical research or scientific strategy to include leading high-performing teams; seven years in a people management role
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic research and academic initiatives within complex organizations
• Proven record of success in developing major strategic initiatives within a leading institution

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially about activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Strategic vision with the ability to execute
• Demonstrated leadership presence and maturity
• Impeccable judgment and ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic setting
• Executive-level presentation skills and ability to interface successfully with high-level clients
• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation agency requirements that impact department; stays abreast of industry changes
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace
• Capable of leading teams/facilitating groups, building consensus and garnering highest confidence in professionalism and work product by senior leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities; highly responsive and solution/action oriented
• Proficiency in spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software
• Maintains a positive and supportive attitude and demeanor
• Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
• Skill in leading and developing organizational strategic plans, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to develop multi-year objectives, specific annual goals and related milestones and metrics needed to track and communicate progress
• Proven ability to cultivate multidisciplinary collaboration and establish productive partnerships with clinical and academic leaders
• Strong understanding of graduate medical education, faculty development, and academic program growth
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides direction to management team to enable the effective and efficient completion of objectives. Gives timely guidance and feedback to direct report management to strengthen their specific knowledge/skill areas needed for progression. Holds direct reporting management team accountable for the development of staff to meet overall objectives in terms of quality, service, and cost effectiveness.
• Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other departments to achieve business goals. Works collaboratively with stakeholders to foster a climate of open communication and mutual problem-solving.
• Develops efficient organizational structures within scope of assignment. Provides leadership for management team to maintain a competent and engaged employee group and provides recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes. Drives initiatives to meet or exceed threshold goal for department turnover and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
• Works cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and across Houston Methodist to formulate and track progress of high-quality education and research strategic initiatives.
• Supports and strengthens the development of internal and external collaborations and relationships that support high quality and financially sustainable academic programs.
• Partners with the Chief Education Officer to enhance the quality, visibility, and national reputation of residency, fellowship, and CME programs. Develops strategies to attract top trainees and elevates Houston Methodist’s standing among leading academic medical centers.
• Promotes a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence among investigators, educators, and trainees. Serves as a visible and accessible leader across the Institute. Works effectively with all members of the senior administrative leadership team. Collaborates closely with hospital and system leaders to align research strategy with clinical, operational, and educational missions of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements strategic and operational/high level projects and processes. Sets clear goals, priorities, and objectives for the direct report management team. Oversees multiple departments’ operations and designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame, providing guidance to management team to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Drives HM service standards and activities to impact system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Responsible for the overall successful operation of the direct report management team.
• Drives collaboration across the organization to identify needs and develop scalable solutions. Prioritizes objectives and implements strategies to achieve organization initiatives as part of the executive leadership team. Delegates responsibilities to direct report management, providing guidance and direction, as appropriate.
• Serves as principal subject matter expert on Houston Methodist academic strategic initiative plans, progress, academic productivity, and collaborations.
• Leads the development and execution of institutional strategic priorities in concert with departmental and Center leadership that accelerate the translation of novel scientific discoveries into patient-centered therapies.
• Designs and implements strategies interdisciplinary programs in areas such as regenerative medicine, cellular and gene therapy, immuno-oncology, neuroscience, and data-driven precision medicine.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews levels of service and significant trends that impact the effectiveness of delivering patient care, critical operational objectives, or other key components within the organization. Ensures that management teams are conducting root cause analyses, as appropriate. Proactively guides management to identify prevention/risk avoidance opportunities and implements continuous improvement plans.
• Monitors and ensures organizational compliance with federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations and standards as well as accreditation requirements. Ensures direct report management monitors and/or revises the departments’ safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines.
• Proactively approaches the optimization of safe outcomes and information systems by monitoring, improving, and enhancing operations, identifying solutions via collaboration. Oversees the implementation of process improvements, utilizing tools such as lean and change management principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety.
• Assists in the design and participates in review of new academic program effectiveness and sustainability, i.e., program outcomes, financial models and forecasting, benchmarks, quality/performance, research integrity, strategic value, and operational effectiveness, to shape academic program development, restructuring, or discontinuation.
• Encourages and supports high-impact research, grant-writing, publishing, and other scholarly activities of the faculty.
• Establishes key performance indicators to monitor scientific, translational, and educational outcomes; ensures data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures departments’ operational and capital budgets align with organization’s strategic plan. Uses benchmark data to support performance, costs and return on investment.
• Drives the maximization of efficiency and productivity. Leverages relationships with vendors and partners to obtain contracts that support cost-efficient operations and maintenance.
• Develops, in partnership with the HMAI CFO, HMAI CBO, and Foundation CEO, and implements a comprehensive, multi-year financial model to guide academic strategic planning with detailed projections of recruiting, space, equipment, and expense and revenue targets that align with academic strategy and ensure sustainability.
• Stays abreast of funding trends and develops relationships and programs to position faculty for success in procuring extramural funding including strategic, multi-institutional, and program project grants.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops long-range goals and strategic plans. Deploys data and research to drive cross-business organization prioritization.
• Maintains acute awareness of market and industry trends. Implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve system operations. Represents HM at community or professional organization meetings.
• Drives change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Initiates and executes succession plans. Conducts conversations with direct report management on their My Development Plan (MDP).
• Develops a strategic plan for long-term academic program innovation and growth, and prioritizes initiatives based on an understanding of the Institute’s mission, finances, capacities, values, needs, priorities, risk appetite, values, and competitiveness.
• Identifies and improves the Institute’s competitiveness for strategic alliances and interdisciplinary research opportunities. Evaluates and prioritizes HMRI’s scientific programs to ensure strategic alignment with institutional strengths, emerging opportunities, and long-term impact.
• Fosters strategic collaborations with academia, government, and industry to expand translational research capacity, diversify funding sources, and increase reputation.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Postgraduate degree in health, science, or business-related field, i.e., MHA, MPH, MBA, JD, PhD, etc.

EXPERIENCE

• Ten years of work experience in academic medicine, biomedical research or scientific strategy to include leading high-performing teams; seven years in a people management role
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic research and academic initiatives within complex organizations
• Proven record of success in developing major strategic initiatives within a leading institution