In 2022, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $150 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego. This gift combines current infrastructure with new Centers intended to leverage the advantages of space-based science, including expansion and, in some ways, quite literally launch stem cell research and regenerative medicine at UC San Diego into new spaces, endeavors, and training of future stem cell scientists.

Sanford Stem Cell Institute provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, daily Sanford Stem Cell Institute personnel work with all 9 Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego, Sanford Stem Cell Institute motivates University-wide change, sustainability, and partnership, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute builds upon a $100 million gift in 2013 from T. Denny Sanford that established UC San Diego as a leader in developing and delivering the therapeutic promise of human stem cells - special cells with the ability to develop into many different cell types and which, when modified and repurposed, have the potential to treat, remedy or cure a vast array of conditions and diseases.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute includes six (6) stem cell Centers led by Center Directors and Deputy Directors.

1. Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center, for stem cell research that will be conducted in a laboratory bay located aboard the International Space Station currently in low-Earth orbit.

2. Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center, which conducts in-depth space fitness and orbital medicine that can benefit both astronauts and people living on Earth.

3. Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center, which will support regenerative medicine company development, including contract research in low-Earth orbit.

4. Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, which conducts basic and translational stem cell research.

5. Sanford Advanced Therapy Center, which provides fundamental tools and services to move basic research findings to next stages, such as early phase trials.

6. Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, which conducts research to accelerate relevant drug and therapy development in regenerative medicine, including clinical trials.

The Center Manager, under general direction from the the Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center (SSCDC) Director and Deputy Director, provides leadership and support managing the services and activities of the SSCDC. Incumbent conducts reviews of administrative policies and processes, and leads the planning, development, and implementation of initiatives that will enhance the operations of the SSCDC.

This position is responsible for monitoring the center's compliance with campus and University policies related to administrative and personnel activities; recommends and implements business process and strategic improvements to ensure the center's needs are met in alignment with campus policy and institutional procedure. Makes recommendations that influence best practices, policy, and procedural changes.

Works within a sophisticated, highly-collaborative office that fosters relations with faculty and other community leaders. Exercises independent operational management and applies discretionary authority to solve managerial and programmatic concerns. Participates in strategic planning, long and short-term goal setting for the SSCDC.

Will provide administrative & financial management of the SSCDC and its various programs in 3 major pillars: research, education, and outreach.

Supports educational and training programs - including graduate courses, educational events, and internships.

Coordinates large grant programs - help assemble large center grants, and administering training grants.

Organize and support various seminar series - planning logistics, event coordination, booking and coordinating travel for speakers, coordinating video production and dissemination.

The incumbent will assist in developing and managing communication plans as well as maintaining and expanding effective communication tools to engage faculty and administrators and encourage increased participation in SSCDC events, such as symposia, seminars, etc.

Supervises and provides work direction for SSCDC administrative staff, including oversight of day-to-day logistical and administrative leadership. This position acts as a liaison to subject matter experts and key stakeholders across the Sanford Stem Cell Institute to ensure effective procedures and business processes are in place to support collaboration and partnership of SSCDC operations.

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor's degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.

• Thorough knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and / or personnel management.

• Interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to articulate in a professional manner and the ability to prepare accurate, concise, and clear written reports. Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and flexibility in working with a diverse population of staff and students. Ability to work with various management systems and a variety of skilled/unskilled, professional, administrative, and industry personnel.

• Knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines. Experience with timekeeping.

• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service. Demonstrated ability to analyze information, situations, problems, policies and procedures; ask critical questions to gather all required information; identify potential solutions; apply solutions and formulate logical and objective conclusions from data and observations; communicate conclusions to a variety of personnel at various levels. Ability to recommend and carry out courses of action consistent with contract requirements, department practice, policy, procedures, laws and regulations.

• Experience with employee onboarding/offboarding.

• Solid knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs. Experienced user of standard computer systems and applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Collect and maintain private information as part of onboarding, offboarding, and department records management processes.

• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees. Ability to read, interpret, and apply HR policy as required to administer personnel processes including coordination of leave, timekeeping, performance appraisals, job card updates, etc.

• Graduation from college with a major in business administration, economics, statistics, educational administration, political science, or an allied field, and progressive professional experience in administrative analysis or operations research; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong, effective supervisory skills and demonstrated ability to provide leadership that motivates and promotes team-building, creates a positive work environment and foster the Principles of Community. Ability to analyze workflow and determine effective staffing structures to meet operational and service needs of organization. Ability to address and resolve performance problems and other personnel issues and concerns.

• Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to work independently and effectively with conflicting demands, changing priorities and heavy workloads to establish priorities and accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to assess procedures and define requirements to streamline business process and result in productivity improvement. Experience initiating and facilitating process improvement efforts. Experience streamlining business processes and/or experience in working with structured workflow in a business environment.

• Ability to train staff and hold informational sessions for participants in processes overseen by this position.

• Demonstrated skills to effectively provide internal customer support in a large department. Ability to provide excellent customer service and interact in a positive manner with diverse groups of people.

• Experience planning, organizing, coordinating and supporting all aspects of a production/quality assurance program in an auxiliary services environment.

• May need to work evening or weekend hours as operationally necessary.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.