CENTER ADMINISTRATOR - CENTER FOR METABOLIC AND LIVER DISEASES

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute•San Diego, CA

2d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Center Administrator for the Center for Metabolic and Liver Diseases serves as the principal administrative resource for the Center and is responsible for independently managing a broad range of administrative, operational, programmatic, and research support activities that advance the Center’s scientific mission. Reporting to the Center Director, the position provides comprehensive support to Center leadership and Principal Investigators and serves as a central point of coordination for Center operations, communications, meetings and events, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. The Center Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day administration of Center operations, programs, and sponsored research activities. As the Center’s primary administrative resource, the position manages competing priorities, develops and maintains effective processes, resolves operational challenges, and supports the successful execution of the Center’s scientific, administrative, and strategic objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, research administration, communications, public administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Five to seven years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a research, academic, healthcare, scientific, or nonprofit environment, including supporting sponsored research activities.
Experience coordinating complex projects, programs, meetings, or events involving multiple stakeholders.
Strong administrative, organizational, project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and implement practical solutions independently.
Working knowledge of sponsored research administration, including proposal development, sponsor requirements, award administration, and research compliance practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence, reports, presentations, and other business materials.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders, including investigators, institutional offices, sponsors, collaborators, and external partners.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential, sensitive, or complex matters.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality, and follow-through.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse professional, cultural, and organizational backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other business technologies.
Ability to learn and utilize institutional, sponsor, financial, and department-specific systems and software applications.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting senior leadership and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar research administration certification

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary administrative and operational resource for the Center, supporting the Center Director and Principal Investigators in the execution of the Center’s scientific, administrative, and strategic priorities.
Manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the Center, including scheduling, travel, reimbursements, purchasing, recordkeeping, communications, and other activities that support Center leadership, investigators, and research programs.
Facilitate coordination among investigators, institutional departments, collaborators, sponsors, and other stakeholders to support the effective administration of Center activities.
Prepare and maintain correspondence, reports, presentations, meeting materials, and other records necessary to support Center operations, planning, and reporting requirements.
Support Center communications, outreach activities, and the administrative coordination of visiting scientists, collaborators, trainees, advisory board members, and other guests.
Administer the full lifecycle of sponsored research activities, supporting investigators in the development, submission, management, and closeout of externally funded projects.
Coordinate research proposal development and submission activities, including budget preparation, sponsor-required documentation, internal review processes, collaborator engagement, and interactions with institutional research administration offices.
Coordinate post-award administration, including sponsor communications, financial monitoring, reporting, compliance requirements, and other award-related activities in partnership with investigators and institutional support offices.
Serve as a resource regarding sponsor requirements, proposal processes, and institutional research administration practices.
Coordinate the planning and execution of Center-sponsored meetings, seminars, scientific programs, retreats, advisory activities, visiting scientist engagements, and other events that support the Center’s mission.
Partner with Center leadership, investigators, collaborators, and institutional stakeholders to support scientific and strategic initiatives through effective planning, communication, and logistical support.
Manage event logistics, participant communications, travel arrangements, vendors, meeting materials, and related activities to ensure successful program delivery.
Support Center reporting and programmatic initiatives through project coordination, documentation management, and administrative support.
Exercise independent judgment in managing multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while ensuring the timely completion of administrative, operational, and research support activities.
Coordinate activities across stakeholders and functions to support Center operations, programs, sponsored research activities and strategic initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and implement practical solutions that enhance efficiency, service quality, and organizational effectiveness.
Maintain systems, records, and workflows that support planning, compliance, reporting, and continuity of Center operations.
Anticipate administrative needs, provide guidance on institutional processes, and proactively address operational challenges.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the Center’s scientific, administrative, and operational objectives.