Social & Scientific Systems (S3), a division of DLH,serves federal government clients throughout the United States and abroad delivering technology enabled solutions in key health and human services programs. The Company's core competencies include secure data analytics and statistics, clinical trials and laboratory services, a full suite of public health research offerings, performance evaluation, system modernization, operational logistics and readiness, and strategic digital communications. DLH has over 2,000 employees serving numerous government agencies. DLH's portfolio consists of Defense & Veteran Health Solutions, Human Services Solutions and Public Health & Life Sciences.

DLH/SSS is actively seeking an enthusiastic Practice Area Director, Clinical Trials Research Services (CTRS) to provide senior leadership over and growth within the clinical trials portfolio. CTRS has a strong portfolio of programs within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) including the National Institute of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Cancer Institute, and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Our staff provide a variety of clinical research services including but not limited to clinical capacity building, protocol development and implementation, data management and biostatistics, site and laboratory support services, clinical monitoring, safety/ pharmacovigilance, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

The Practice Area Director of Clinical Research Operations is responsible for program oversight; cultivating client and partner relationships; business development; staff recruitment, mentoring and supervision. The Director reports directly to the President and works collaboratively with senior leaders to grow our team and clinical research support services. This position will also work collaboratively with peer Practice Area Directors and DLH/SSS executive leadership to help set company research and scientific priorities so that they line up with the overall mission and goals of the organization. The Director also provides strategic and operational input into the CTRS portfolio and participates in the development of strategic plans for expanding SSS' capabilities in infectious and non-infectious diseases clinical research. The Practice Area Director will help keep the company competitive by staying updated on scientific and technological advances and industry trends in their area of specialty. This may include making recommendations on future projects, such as new research opportunities or technological ventures. This individual may serve as Principal Investigator or Project Director on appropriate, complex international or domestic clinical research projects.

We seek a dynamic, visionary leader with the skills and motivation to assist with developing new capabilities and business relationships that expand the client base and scientific portfolio of CTRS. The selected applicant will be a strategic thinker and proven manager with demonstrated leadership ability.

The Practice Area Director may serve public relations functions by representing the scientific goals and interests of the company at press conferences, meetings, conventions, and shareholder events.

Participates in strategic and operations planning for SSS and CTRS; implements and maintains operating plans and annual action plans to meet CTRS strategic goals.
• Creates new business opportunities in the area of clinical research through use of established networks and contacts at DOD, CDC, NIH, and other US Government agencies; commercial companies; foundations; and other sponsors/funders/potential clients. Monitors needs and opportunities across clients and incorporates into strategic plan.
• Contributes to business growth in the CTRS market area through identifying and participating in capture efforts, proposals, and strategic initiatives. Identifies new CRB business opportunities with existing and new clients and communicates opportunities to management. Serves as technical lead on capture and proposal efforts and represents CTRS capabilities in proposals and at client and potential funder meetings. Participates in developing proposal budgets.
• Develops and nurtures business relationships with other SSS Groups, external partners and clients; serves as senior advisor as appropriate for these entities.
• Accountable for partnering with fellow Practice Area Directors, SSS President and BD staff to achieve annual revenue growth targets and manage indirect costs within annual operating budgets. Participates in setting budgets for CTRS; monitors and reports on adherence.
• Reviews and monitors financial and technical performance of CTRS projects and oversees project directors and managers in ensuring outstanding client service, including the quality and timeliness of project deliverables within contract requirements. Collaborates with technical and scientific leaders to design technical approach, solve problems, and identify areas of risk and develop and implement Risk Mitigation and Quality Assurance (QA) Plans for each project.
• Responsible for ensuring all projects under the Practice Area are delivered on schedule and on budget; overall responsibility for ensuring Practice Area contracts deliver planned-for revenue and maximize opportunity for organic on-contract growth.
• Provides leadership to direct-report managers responsible for planning and executing CTRS projects; identifies, hires, mentors, coaches, and oversees performance of managers and technical/scientific leaders in CTRS; encourages professional development in the context of project work. Works closely with supervisors to conduct performance and salary reviews, address performance problems, and manage staff conflicts in accordance with SSS policies.
• Serve as a formal mentor for at least one mid-career researchers/scientists, working to build their publication and presentation skills, gain visibility in appropriate science-based organizations, and hone their proposal/grant writing capability.
• Interacts strategically with cross-functional teams and other functional areas in supporting project directors/managers to ensure optimized project staffing and resource utilization, timely project deliverables, and consistently high performance standards and quality of work. Collaborates with senior staff in other groups to promote consistency of approach, methods, and performance.
• Maintains awareness of industry standards, regulatory requirements, and SOPs. Within area of control, updates procedures and practices as needed to remain in compliance.
• Actively participate in external science-based associations and organizations through publication of manuscripts, presentations, engagement as speakers and session chairs and through participation on planning committees, with the overarching goal to further awareness of DLH/SSS capabilities and core competencies.
• Strong skills in leading and authoring proposals. Contribute to proposal efforts, as appropriate, through provision of thought leadership on innovative technical/science solutions, contribute to science writing, and provide color team leadership and engagement to ensure highest success rate possible for key and strategic proposal efforts.
• Support strategic growth of the SSS business through development of customer relationships in the Federal government contracting arena, particularly at NIH and CDC.
• Serve as an ambassador, internally and externally, to promote the agenda of the DLH/SSS organization. Conduct oneself in a professional and appropriate manner, always, with staff and external clients and customers.
• Proven record of expanding lines of work with existing clients as well as developing new client relationships.
• Highly skilled to develop and present professional briefings and presentations to clients and senior leadership
• Result oriented with the ability to deal with ambiguity, directing and initiating efforts to deliver results with little or no direction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong quantitative and qualitative skills.
• Strong project management expertise and experience managing complex projects is required (at least 10 years).
• In-depth knowledge of corporate management policies and procedures and government contracting environment.
• Must possess a willingness to take measured risk to grow SSS and our staff capability and credential; a 'think outside the box' mentality is a must in order to take the business in new directions and create a sustainable offering for the long-term health of the business.

• MS, MPH, PhD, or equivalent degree with specialization in infectious diseases or similar area, plus at least 5 to 7 years of proven experience in a senior leadership position successfully managing increasingly-complex infectious disease clinical research projects and supervising staff involved in this research.
• Previous supervisory and corporate management experience (at least five years).
• Strong reputation in science field, as demonstrated by publications/presentations and membership in scientific organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with executive-level leadership.
• Strong executive presence.
• Proven ability to make timely and impactful decisions to drive business and staff growth.
• Experience working with FDA, CDC, and NIH clients. Other DHHS and non-DHHS agency experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing a staff of researchers and operations team leads in a public health research environment.
• Experience with federal government contracts required; grants experience ideal but not required.
• Ability to gain internal support, operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, and establish a solid working relationship with technical staff, program managers, and peers within DLH Corp and across DLH Corp.
• The ability to operate at the senior level and influence, negotiate and make decisions in a timely, professional, and productive manner.
• Candidates must be US citizens.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills are essential, as is the demonstrated ability to contribute to diverse projects, manage competing demands, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and to mentor and develop staff in applicable domains.

DLH is committed to fostering a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.