Director of Administration

Position Summary

The Director of Operations & Administration keeps the RILSH running day to day and supports every part of the organization. Working as part of a small, hands-on team, this role owns project management across the Hub’s initiatives, operations and administration, human resources and payroll, executive support to the President & CEO, recurring reporting and board support, and the planning and execution of the Hub’s events and convenings.

This is an execution-focused role central to the organization’s ability to deliver on its commitments. The Director reports to and works under the direction of the CEO & President.

Essential Functions

Project Management

• Own the execution calendar for the Hub’s initiatives — from grant cycles and program launches to board deliverables — tracking milestones, owners, and deadlines, and flagging slippage before it becomes a problem.

• Coordinate across staff and functions to keep initiatives on schedule and moving toward completion.

Operations & Administration

• Keep the organization running day to day: vendors and contracts, procurement, insurance, records, office and facilities, and the internal systems and files the team works from.

• Establish and maintain operational policies, processes, and documentation as the organization grows.

Human Resources & Payroll

• Administer payroll, benefits, and onboarding for the Hub’s staff; maintain personnel records and HR policies; and ensure compliance with state and quasi-public employment requirements.

Executive Support

• Manage the President & CEO’s calendar, prepare materials and briefings for external meetings, and track commitments and follow-up items through to close.

Reporting & Board Support

• Assemble the recurring reporting the Hub is accountable for — board materials, program metrics, and annual impact reporting.

• Manage board and committee logistics, scheduling, and follow-up.

Events & Convenings

• Plan and run the Hub’s events and the Hub’s presence at partner convenings — including the Annual Life Science Summit and industry tradeshows — coordinating logistics, budget, and vendors end to end.

Other

• Additional responsibilities as assigned and/or needed by the organization.

Key Competencies

• Project & execution management: Job requires the ability to plan, track, and drive multiple initiatives to completion — managing milestones, owners, and deadlines, and surfacing risks early.

• Operational & administrative rigor: Job requires the ability to run the day-to-day operations of an organization — vendors, contracts, procurement, records, and systems — with accuracy and reliability.

• Discretion & confidentiality: Job requires sound judgment and the ability to handle payroll, HR, executive, and board matters with discretion and confidentiality.

• Organization & attention to detail: Job requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and find ways over, around, or through barriers to success. A bias for action. A results-oriented “doer.”

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in operations, administration, project management, or a related field; experience supporting executives and/or a board of directors is strongly preferred.

• Experience with human resources and payroll administration, and with vendor and contract management.

• Experience planning and executing events, including logistics, budgets, and vendors.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• High attention to detail and the ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.

• Comfort establishing and working within operational and office systems and tools.

Reports to

• Rhode Island Life Science Hub, Chief Executive Officer & President

Classification

• Full Time, Salary / Exempt, Office-based hybrid

• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, events, training, or site visits

• The Rhode Island Life Science Hub is an at-will employer; no employment contracts exist.

Benefit Plan in Development (anticipated)

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance plans

• Retirements savings plan with employer match

• Paid holidays and time off

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications to info@rilifescience.com.

The Rhode Island Life Science Hub (“RILSH”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The RILSH does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. The RILSH will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay: $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Human resources management: 5 years (Required)
• Event planning: 5 years (Required)
• Executive administrative support: 10 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $150,000