Research Program Associate Director

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics (DOP) is seeking a Research Program Associate Director to provide leadership and oversight for its extensive research operations. Since 2015, the DOP has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institutes for Medical Research. In FY25, the department received nearly $42 million in research funding in FY25, ~$27 million of which was from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This position will work closely with the Associate Department Administrator - Academic Operations, Vice Chair(s) of Research, Clinical Research Director, and the Pre- and Post-Award Managers, to provide leadership and strategic planning for centralized research administration and support operations, with a particular focus on pre- and post-award service lines. The DOP considers research of one of the fundamental pillars of its academic mission and this position will provide critical leadership and advice to research faculty, staff, and trainees. The Research Program Associate Director will be involved in complex day-to-day research operations, requiring substantial independence, personal responsibility, strategic and creative thinking. A successful candidate will model and instill in others a high degree of professionalism, including demonstration of honesty, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to altruism in all work interactions and responsibilities.

Requirements

At least five years of progressive responsibility in managing complex, multi-disciplinary research portfolios in an academic and/or health care setting
Experience with pre- and post-award research administration oversight, proposal development, budget planning and preparation, and automated financial systems
At least two years of supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

Experience with clinical trials and/or a large, complex medical center is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Direct supervision of 2.0 FTE and indirect supervision of 7.0 FTE (based on current staffing);
Provision of oversight, leadership and strategic planning for pre- and post-award research administrative support;
Compile, analyze, and present data to DOP, SMPH, and UW Health leadership on proposal statistics, award information, trends, and national rankings;
Use departmental data to strategize, refine, and implement policies and procedures to support the research and academic success of DOP faculty, researchers, staff, and trainees;
With the DOP Post-Award Manager, ensure that timely and accurate financial reports are provided and discussed with principal investigators to ensure financial stability within the research group/lab and plan staffing levels;
Lead and coordinate the DOP Research & Development grant proposals/awards and Capital Equipment allocations; prepare return on investment (ROI) analysis for DOP leadership;
Maintain and develop research-related content for the DOP website and intranet, serving as a robust and up-to-date resource for faculty, staff and trainees;
Develop/lead research administration education opportunities and trainings for faculty, staff, and trainees; and
Lead research-related faculty onboarding efforts, including start-up funding requests, new faculty orientations, and regular faculty check-ins within the first 18 months of employment.
Manages large research projects for a center or program
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program
Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan
Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities
Serves as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel
Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies