Director of Strategic Initiatives, Data Science

Position Summary:

The Director of Strategic Initiatives, Data Science leads and supports strategic initiatives that advance the visibility, partnerships, and collaborative impact of the Office of Data Science and the Department of Neurology. Working closely with research leadership, this role helps translate complex data science, artificial intelligence, and informatics initiatives into strategic communications, engagement opportunities, and collaborative partnerships across UTHealth Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and national research communities.

The Director plays a key role in elevating awareness of innovative research programs, including the ReCARDO network and other data science initiatives focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, while fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders and facilitating opportunities that strengthen institutional collaboration and thought leadership.

This position requires a highly collaborative and strategic professional with strong communication and relationship-building skills who can synthesize complex research initiatives and help position UTHealth Houston as a leader in data science innovation. A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Health Administration, Education, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, program management, research administration, or external affairs within higher education, healthcare, or public sector environments is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience building organizational visibility, supporting multi-sector collaborations, and managing strategic initiatives, preferably within research, innovation, or data-driven environments.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Synthesizes and document local data science themes, resources, strengths and opportunities.
• Develops strategic branding and communication plan for UTHealth visibility in data science leadership within the region and nationally.
• Assists in the direction and coordination of ReCARDO (Using Real-World Data to Derive Common Data Elements for Alzheimer's Disease and AD-Related Dementias Research Through Ontological Innovation) network activities with other state and national dementia and brain health programs.
• Assists in the direction and coordination with Houston ADRC data management core.
• Assists in creating institutional collaborative network centered on data resources, informatics expertise, and data ecosystem platforms.
• Serves as a liaison to internal and external stake holders such as centers, research consortiums.
• Interacts regularly with the ReCARDO research network working groups.
• Identifies donor identification and engagement for data science initiatives.
• Develops strategic vision and narratives for innovative data science programs.
• Produces a comprehensive grant awards portfolio and strategic messaging to strengthen competitiveness for major research and infrastructure funding.
• Facilitates information exchange among thought leaders, clinicians and research scientists, internal and external to the university related to data science, machine learning, and AI.
• Supervises content editors and website designers for the office of data science.
• Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Communication, Public Administration, Health Administration, Education, or related field required. Master's or Doctorate Degree preferred

Minimum Experience:

7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, project management, research administration, or external affairs within higher education, healthcare, or public sector environments. Proven record of building visibility, managing multi-sector campaigns. Experience with enabling large-scale collaboration required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.