Senior Director of Research Operations

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Research Operations (SDRO) is a senior administrative leader responsible for the efficient and effective management of the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH)’s research enterprise. Reporting to leadership in the School's Office of Research, which is responsible for research, strategy, development and oversight, the SDRO directs the central administrative and operational infrastructure supporting research. The SDRO ensures compliance, optimizes resource utilization, and facilitating the successful execution of the School's research mission across all departments, centers and institutes. This role requires a blend of biomedical research knowledge, financial acumen and operational expertise in a complex academic medical and public health environment. This is an inaugural position. The SDRO develops, implements and monitors operational policies, procedures and best practices to streamline research administration and optimize workflows. The SDRO leads initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research resources, including shared resources and space allocation. The SDRO directly supervises three individuals: Assistant Director of Strategic Space Utilization, who serves as the SMPH space utilization liaison to the school’s departments/centers/units, SMPH Facilities, UW-Madison’s Space Management Office and UW Health (100% staff appointment). Research Administration Director, who oversees SMPH research and sponsored projects administration activities (100% staff appointment). Senior Director of SMPH Shared Resources, who is responsible for the leadership and oversight of all SMPH shared resources, through development and implementation of strategic goals and overall administrative and fiscal management (50% faculty appointment). In partnership with the leadership of the School’s Office of Research, the SDRO liaises with research program leaders and center/institute directors on management and operational issues. The SDRO convenes monthly meetings of center/institute directors and oversees center/institute annual reporting and five-year reviews. The SDRO supports research collaboration by overseeing events such as the biannual SMPH Collaborate and, in partnership with the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development, supports research recognition via internal research competitions and awards. The SDRO oversees select partnerships, such as the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and represents SMPH at UW-Madison operational research groups such as the Biosecurity Task Force. The SDRO helps to oversee the financial health of the research enterprise, working with the Dean's office and department administrators on budget planning, forecasting and financial reporting for institutional research funds. The SDRO ensures rigorous oversight of pre-award and post-award administrative processes for all sponsored projects (federal, state, foundation, industry), develops and implements internal controls and financial systems to ensure compliance with sponsor regulations (e.g., NIH, DoD) and university policies, and, with support from the office’s Administrative Associate Director, operationally facilitates faculty recruitments, retention and bridge funding. Working in partnership with the Research Integrity Officer, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and other compliance offices, the SDRO ensures all research activities adhere to federal, state and institutional regulations. The SDRO monitors, interprets and disseminates new regulations and policies affecting animal use, biohazards, export controls and conflicts of interest in research. The SDRO oversees internal and external research audits, ensuring timely and accurate responses and implementing corrective action plans. In collaboration with facilities management, the SDRO oversees the planning and management of research space, including renovations and re-allocations to maximize productivity. This position is eligible for partial remote work. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA) agreement. An RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, operations or management within a complex academic, medical or research institution.
PhD required

Nice To Haves

Deep working knowledge of federal research regulations, including NIH grants policy statements, human subjects and financial management principles in a non-profit/academic setting.
Experience with pre-award and post-award processes for a broad portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsors, particularly the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, directs, and evaluates research program operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
Serves as the unit liaison and key spokesperson to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the research program
Develops and audits research program budget(s)
Oversees the effective use of research and office space that facilitates growth of research expenditures and research program development
Develops initiatives and approaches to enhance the use of shared resources, including research equipment, model systems, and data analysis platforms
Develops, directs, and evaluates research program planning initiatives and establishes objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources in alignment with the strategic plan
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

Benefits

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

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