Research Administration Manager

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is seeking a Research Administration Manager to lead and oversee all research administration support services for department leadership, faculty, staff, and research trainees. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring high quality, compliant, and efficient research administration across the full lifecycle of sponsored projects. The Research Administration Manager will supervise a team of 5-6 staff members and serve as the department’s primary contact for research administration. The role is responsible for reviewing all DOM proposals and providing approvals on behalf of the Department Chair. The manager will collaborate with internal and external partners to promote and strengthen research support services across DOM. Key responsibilities include working directly with principal investigators and research staff to identify funding opportunities, supporting proposal development and submission, and ensuring consistent oversight and coordination of research administration activities across the department. This position provides oversight of the full lifecycle of research business administration, including proposal development, regulatory compliance, monitoring research deliverables, annual financial reporting, and award closeout. The manager will also work closely with the DOM Office of Research Services (ORS) Director for Research to design and implement training opportunities for DOM faculty, staff, and trainees. In addition to daily operational oversight, the Research Administration Manager will lead efforts to evaluate and enhance business processes related to research administration. This includes identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, refining workflows, and partnering with ORS/DOM leadership to ensure that research operations align with best practices and institutional goals. Areas of focus include budget development, proposal review, compliance processes, and systems that support accurate and timely research administration. The successful candidate will bring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment. They will serve as a central resource for research administration within DOM, working collaboratively with leadership, faculty, and external partners to ensure smooth operations and high quality research support. We welcome applicants who are proactive, solutions oriented, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation in support of DOM’s research mission. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge clinical research while leading a team that supports the financial backbone of discovery and innovation. This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Terminal, 24 month appointment This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

Requirements

Ability to listen, understand and communicate information and ideas effectively in writing, over the phone or in person.
Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects despite interruptions.
Ability to work independently or collaboratively.
High attention to detail and ability to assess/recommend ways to improve processes.
Experience working with complex automated accounting systems and processes preferred
Effective leadership skills including the ability to motivate others in a team environment
Knowledge of effective management, supervisory, problem solving, and leadership techniques required to supervise professional staff

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research coordination, grant management and oversight activities, and familiarity with granting organizational policies and procedures, such as NIH, NSF, DoD, VA, or other agencies is preferred.
Previous work in a university, academic medical center, government research environment, or similar setting is highly valued.
Experience in proposal development, grant administration, clinical research administration, or accounting.
Experience managing complex budgets or multiple funding strings related to basic, translational, and clinical research activities.
Demonstrated understanding of human subjects protection, IRB processes, IACUC, data security, and/or research integrity.
Experience leading staff, providing training, managing performance, or overseeing day‑to‑day operations.
Experience in collaborating with multiple depts, study teams, faculty, and external sponsors

Responsibilities

Executes activities related to proposal submission, contract negotiation, and/or award setup on behalf of a unit
May have authority to submit proposals, agreements, or invoices to a sponsor on behalf of the principal investigator or project director
Serves as a key resource to leadership and staff in the unit as well as a liaison to partners and stakeholders
May supervise the day-to-day activities of research administration staff
Provides training to faculty, staff, and/or administrators within the unit regarding policy, procedure, and/or execution of sponsored project administration
Reviews and approves programmatic transactions spanning the life-cycle of sponsored projects to ensure compliance with institutional and/or sponsor policies and procedures
Executes activities related to financial compliance, audit, or reporting on behalf of a unit
Executes research administration operational policies and procedures including financial, administrative, staffing, and compliance on behalf of a unit