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Posted August 19, 2026

Director, Operational Effectiveness

Southern Research
Birmingham, Alabama, United States 35205 Full Time
Reference: 286558858
Director, Operational Effectiveness

Director, Operational Effectiveness
Southern Research + You
Discover a career where your work truly matters. Southern Research has been translating science into real-world solutions since 1941. Join our innovative team and enjoy benefits like medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, life insurance, PTO, an employee assistance program, and more.
General Summary
The Director of Operational Effectiveness serves as a matrix leader across Preclinical Services, partnering with the Vice President of Operations and functional leaders to improve day-to-day execution, organizational performance, and cross-functional alignment.
This role is responsible for improving timeliness, quality, efficiency, and consistency of Preclinical Services operations through the introduction of industry best practices, continuous improvement, process standardization, resource alignment, and effective operational governance. The Director leads primarily through influence and works across functional groups to identify barriers, resolve operational issues, and implement sustainable solutions.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Serve as a connector and integrator across departments, bringing together leaders to solve cross- functional challenges
  • Facilitate leadership alignment sessions to ensure cohesion and shared direction
  • Identify recurring operational barriers and implement sustainable corrective actions
  • Promote accountability, consistency, and follow-through across cross-functional activities
  • Foster a culture of problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization
  • Serve as delegate for Vice President of Operations in designated meetings, initiatives, and operational matters
  • Review cross-functional operational incidents and trends to provide executive leadership recommendations to mitigate risk and improve outcomes
  • Facilitate cross-functional resource planning discussions, including identification of gaps
  • Partner with functional leaders to develop and align training matrices, competency expectations, and proficiency standards
  • Ensure consistency in how training requirements, qualifications, and proficiencies are defined and documented
  • Lead the conduct of investigation and CAPA processes and ensure timely resolution, sustainable improvement, and compliance with applicable requirements
  • Serve as business owner or executive sponsor for designated cross-functional systems and operational processes
  • Support major equipment and facility rollouts including planning, ownership alignment, readiness, training, stakeholder coordination, and reporting to leadership
  • Work across functional groups to develop operational measures and KPIs that provide visibility into timelines, quality, efficiency, capacity, utilization, and execution
  • Analyze operational trends and summarize/report to leadership, both internal trends and industry trends
  • Compile and prepare executive-level reports, presentations, analyses, and recommendations
  • Support the Vice President of Operations in preparing for leadership meetings, business reviews, planning sessions, and other executive decisions
  • Serve on committees as needed
  • Other duties as assigned
Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences
  • Minimum of 15 years in preclinical operations, contract research organization, or related life sciences environment
  • Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role with demonstrated responsibility for leading cross-functional team and enterprise-wide initiatives
  • Experience as full TFM delegate
  • Experience with GLP, Part 58 and Part 11 compliance
  • Proven experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and business outcomes
  • Strong understanding of preclinical research operations, study execution, quality systems, and regulatory expectations
  • Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and relationship building skills
  • Experience conducting root cause analyses and implementing corrective and preventative actions
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication; able to influence stakeholders at all levels
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop leaders
  • High level professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential business matters
Core Values
Cultivating human connection – putting people first. We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone. We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential. We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of thought go hand in hand. We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.
Operating with precise execution – measuring what matters and owning results as a team. We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science. We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset. We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work. We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.
Harnessing relentless curiosity – our unstoppable, innovative force. We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge. We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives. We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.
Stewarding a healthy community – implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment. We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community. We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities. We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.
Job Specific Behaviors
Strategic Decision Making – Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints and resources.
Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customer's expectations.
Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function. Possess skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.
Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.
Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focused outcomes. Demands excellence. Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.
Change Leadership - Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.
Coaches / Develops Others - Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action.
Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of Institute's culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.
Physical Demands
  • Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Southern Research is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
We are an equal opportunity employer and seek to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our hiring, training, promotion, and compensation practices are based on the principles of fairness, equality, and merit.
Southern Research prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind, including harassment based on any protected characteristic. We are committed to maintaining a work environment where all individuals are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.
In addition, we provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws. We also offer support for individuals who require accommodations due to religious practices or beliefs.
If you have any concerns about discrimination or harassment, please contact [email protected] immediately. We are committed to investigating all concerns thoroughly and promptly and taking appropriate corrective action when necessary.




Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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