Summary

The Business Operations Specialist will provide advanced administrative and operational support for the Department of Pediatrics’ new, multi-institutional, NIH-funded predoctoral and postdoctoral training program—the Houston Area Incubator for Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (HAI-KUH), led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Alison Bertuch. This position is pivotal in managing, coordinating, and executing all aspects of the program, ensuring compliance with NIH requirements and fostering collaboration across Baylor College of Medicine and partner institutions within the Texas Medical Center. Based in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, the specialist will serve as a key resource for trainees, faculty, and program leadership, driving operational excellence and supporting the program’s mission to advance research training in critical health areas.

Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions will receive $6.25 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health to launch the Houston Area Incubator for Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Research Training (HAI-KUH). TMC collaboration: training new kidney, urologic and hematologic researchers | BCM 

Job Duties

• Provides administrative and operational support for the Department of Pediatrics U2C grant, an Institutional Network Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports and coordinates training for researchers in kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, and the TL1 (training component focused on supporting trainees).
• Develops, implements, and coordinates the trainee application process, including the recruitment, collection, and review of training slot applications. 
• Develops and coordinates the onboarding and orientation of trainees (N=12) onto the TL1 Core with BCM and subaward institutions. Coordinates with HR specialists at participating TMC institutions where trainees will work. 
• Coordinates with Marketing and Communications to design and maintain the U2C/TL1 website.
• Assists the Professional Development Core and Networking Core Directors in organizing the seminar series. 
• Attends meetings biweekly with HAI-KUH leadership and twice weekly with PI for program launch activities.
• Facilitates governance and advisory board operations by coordinating meetings for the Internal Advisory Board, External Evaluation Board, Executive Committee, and Clinical Advisory Council; manage calendars, ensure compliance with grant timelines, document activities, and develop follow-up action plans.
• Plans and executes all logistics for live or hybrid activities, including venue selection, room setup, audiovisual coordination, and catering. The live activities include the yearly symposium, monthly Professional Development Core and Networking Core educational sessions, and annual TL1 trainee/mentor dinner. 
• Assists with identifying TMC-wide professional development activities available to trainees and develops the Professional Development Dashboard.
• Assists with strategic planning initiatives and process improvement efforts throughout the 5-year grant.
• Creates and facilitates communications to trainees, preceptors, and institutional partners in alignment with the grant’s timelines and deadlines. 
• Drafts, reviews, and updates operational policies and procedures. Identifies and recommends opportunities for optimization.
• Assists with budget planning and monitoring ( > $5Million) 
• Assists with annual progress reports (first due Fall 2029), the competitive grant renewal, and grant pre-award and post-award activities.
• Sets up, organizes, and maintains U2C/TL1 program files. 
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare, research administration or related programs.
• Four years in the field of research administration/healthcare setting with a preference for experience in the coordination of NIH-grant activities and educational programs.