Solution Manager

CAS uses intuitive technology, unparalleled scientific content and unmatched human expertise to help companies create groundbreaking innovations that benefit the world. As the scientific information solutions division of the American Chemical Society, CAS manages the largest curated reservoir of scientific knowledge, and for 116 years, has helped innovators mine, assess and apply that information to keep businesses thriving. The CAS team is global, diverse, endlessly curious and strives to make scientific insights accessible to innovators worldwide.

CAS is currently seeking a Solution Manager.  This position will be located in our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.

Description:

The Solution Manager leads the development of complex solutions to meet client needs.  This role will work directly with clients to discover all requirements (functional and non-functional).  Upon completion of customer requirements gathering, the Solution Manager will guide solutioning meetings with representatives from Content Operations and Technology to develop options for our clients.  The Solution Manager will evaluate the solutions and recommend an appropriate solution.  The Solution Manager will create high-level cost and schedule estimates based on feedback from Technology and Content Operations for the implementation of the chosen solution.

This role is responsible to manage between 4-8 opportunities (projects) concurrently.  The ability to manage time and priorities is key to the successful candidate in this position.

This Solution Manager role is expected to display best practices and behaviors for the rest of the Solutions team to emulate. Candidates will provide guidance to colleagues not only in CAS Services but Sales, Content Operations and Technology.  Coaching of less senior staff is expected at the direction of the department Director.

Duties:

• Lead client interactions to elucidate use cases, high level requirements, and non-functional requirements.  Successful execution will be demonstrated by the establishment of a strong rapport and the strengthening of the trust between the two organizations.
• As necessary, design and lead workshops for complex problems with clients and CAS staff across divisional boundaries.  Use human-centered design techniques to help drive solutions to strategic business problems for client (i.e., perform root cause analysis and problem impacts within client organizations).
• Facilitate collaboration with Technology and Content Operations to design custom solutions for clients.  These solutions will involve a creative mix of CAS technology, practices and expertise.  By their custom nature, these solutions will involve invention and novel approaches to existing practices.
• Effectively communicate complex scientific or technical topics to different constituencies, including development staff, senior management, legal, and marketing. Prepare and present complex scientific and/or business solutions to executive audiences for purposes of education, influence, and decision-making,
• Development of initial estimates for client proposals
• Clearly document work to facilitate the creation of a Statement of Work (SOW) and for the successful execution of solutions
• Monitor and analyzes changes in the chemical information space.  This includes internal content changes at CAS and other competing solution providers
• Advocate for new strategic initiatives for CAS Services business growth
• Coach and mentor colleagues

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science-related field or chemical informatics.   Advanced degree strongly preferred.  8-10 years of work experience in solving technical problems depending on education.
• 3+ years’ experience in customer facing roles is highly preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to effectively lead customer meetings and workshops
• Ability to influence and gain commitment at all organizational levels within CAS and with clients. 
• Demonstrates an independent decision-making aptitude in ambiguous strategic contexts through consistent logic, rational, and objective thinking, and reasoning.
• Knowledge of competitive products and services operating in chemical information space
• High proficiency in CAS data and policies desirable
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, as needed
• Experience with search and retrieval, analytics tool, and computer programming preferred

CAS offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including a generous vacation plan, medical, dental, vision insurance plans, and employee savings and retirement plans.  Candidates for this position must be authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorization sponsorship by our company for this position now or in the future.  EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran