Director Research Operations & Standardization

OSF HealthCare • Peoria, IL

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Research Operations & Standardization provides ministry-level leadership for operational excellence, process standardization, and workforce development across the OSF HealthCare research enterprise. This role establishes standardized operational frameworks, performance expectations, and training infrastructure to ensure consistent, high-quality research conduct across all OSF facilities. Operating within a hybrid model, the director partners with site-based research leaders to drive alignment with ministry standards, improve performance, and strengthen operational consistency across the system. This role collaborates closely with Research Compliance and Research Financial & Systems leaders to ensure research operations are efficient, compliant, and sustainable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, biological/life sciences, or related field.
• 7 years progressive experience in clinical research operations within a healthcare or academic medical center environment.
• 3 years in formal leadership role overseeing research coordinators, managers, or operational teams.
• Demonstrated experience standardizing multi-site operational workflows.
• Current Research Certification such as: SOCRA (Society of Clinical Research Administration), ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals), HCCA (Health Care Compliance Association), etc. – expected within 1 year of hire in the job.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial activation processes, study lifecycle management, and enrollment operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and track operational KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Strong project management and change management capabilities.
• Ability to influence and drive alignment within a matrixed organizational structure.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with research systems such as, but not limited to, the following: Epic research functionality, CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System), REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), iRIS (Integrate Research Information System)/Cayuse.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, business administration, or related field.
• Experience operating within a hybrid centralized research model.
• Experience with change management (including conflict management).
• Experience supporting oncology, industry-sponsored, or FDA-regulated research.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Research Compliance Related Certification (e.g. Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance – CHRC).
• Knowledge of clinical research operations, study data management, and electronic data capture (EDC) systems.
• General understanding of medical terminology.
• Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), REDcap, Participant Payment Solution, Cosmos, and/or other research software systems.

Responsibilities

• Provides ministry-level leadership for operational excellence, process standardization, and workforce development across the OSF HealthCare research enterprise.
• Establishes standardized operational frameworks, performance expectations, and training infrastructure to ensure consistent, high-quality research conduct across all OSF facilities.
• Partners with site-based research leaders to drive alignment with ministry standards, improve performance, and strengthen operational consistency across the system.
• Collaborates closely with Research Compliance and Research Financial & Systems leaders to ensure research operations are efficient, compliant, and sustainable.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards package
• Benefits, compensation, recognition and well-being offerings
• Focus on the whole person and engage with their current stage of life and career

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director