The Director of Research, Surgical Enterprises is a senior, non-clinical leader responsible for driving strategic growth, execution, and oversight of clinical, translational, and outcomes-based research across all surgical departments within a leading pediatric healthcare system. Collaborating closely with physician-scientists, institutional leaders, and the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, this role ensures alignment with the mission to improve pediatric health through discovery and implementation science. Operating within a federated research model, the director leverages centralized core functions-such as data science, biostatistics, clinical trials, and research integrity-while supporting embedded subspecialty teams. With access to a unified EHR and a broad patient population, the director advances high-impact surgical research and innovation.
Responsibilities:
Lead Strategic Planning: Develop and implement the Surgical Research Strategic Plan in collaboration with institutional and departmental leadership.
Align with Institutional Goals: Ensure research initiatives support priorities in quality, safety, innovation, and patient engagement.
Integrate Across Specialties: Champion cross-disciplinary research across all surgical divisions, including general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and more.
Foster Academic Partnerships: Build strategic collaborations with regional academic institutions to enhance research capabilities.
Oversee Operations: Manage research budgets, personnel, and ensure efficient regulatory, IRB, and clinical trial processes.
Support Embedded Teams: Provide oversight and mentorship to surgical specialty research professionals and ensure compliance with institutional standards.
Advance Academic Development: Promote faculty engagement in research through mentorship, protected time, and shared infrastructure.
Drive Talent Development: Mentor junior faculty and trainees, and develop surgeon-scientist pipelines in partnership with educational institutions.
Secure Funding & Partnerships: Pursue funding opportunities and cultivate academic, industry, and philanthropic collaborations.
Measure Impact: Establish KPIs for research productivity and provide regular reporting to leadership while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Other information:
Technical Expertise
Familiarity with research integration into EPIC, COSMOS, REDCap, CTMS, and other clinical research platforms.
Proven track record of mentoring junior investigators and promoting scholarly output.
Demonstrated success in obtaining extramural funding (e.g., NIH, foundations, industry).
Experience managing cross-disciplinary teams and complex research portfolios.
Strategic Thinking and Execution
Leadership and Team Building
Grant Writing and Scientific Communication
Stakeholder Engagement- including internal leaders, professional and physician-scientists and learners, and regional academic partners
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Research Compliance and Integrity
Education and Experience
Education: PhD with a strong record of independent research productivity in a surgical or surgical-adjacent field required.
Years of relevant experience: 3 years of experience in clinical or translational research leadership in an academic or integrated health system setting. Experience in pediatric or congenital surgical research, preferred.
Years of supervisory experience: minimum 3 years Prior leadership in research strategy development or academic administration preferred.
More Than a Job. It’s loving what you do - and why you do it. Akron Children’s Hospital is ranked among the best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, but it’s our compassionate approach to treatment that sets us apart. It’s creating special high-fives. Thinking of new ways to spark a smile. Holding hands to offer comfort. And working to get a giggle that brightens a room. The minute you walk into Akron Children’s, you can sense that people here love what they do. From visits with the Doggie Brigade, to the balloons and smiles in the halls, the sights and sounds are all about one thing: the children. We are the largest pediatric healthcare system in Northern Ohio and one of the fastest growing in the country. Akron Children’s has two hospital campuses in Northeast Ohio: one in Akron and the other in Boardman in the Mahoning Valley. With two hospital campuses, regional health centers and more than 50 primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio, we’re making it easier for today’s busy families - regardless of where they live - to find the high-quality care they need. No matter which of our locations you choose, you’ll see that when you give the most, you get more—...support, rewards and satisfaction. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: It’s making the most of your days. Our passion is felt every day in the way people care at every level. Whether you are working with children face-to-face, or behind the scenes supporting the care and services we deliver, you impact futures. Visit us and see why it’s more than just a place to work. It’s a family. Apply today at careers.akronchildrens.org.