Manager of Research Administration

Job Summary

This position leads a team of Research Portfolio Managers (RPMs) and Senior RPMs, providing expert support and guidance, strategy, and process development with focus on post-award management and compliance with school, university and sponsor guidance. 

Profile: Has acquired depth and breadth of specialization within the field. Lead comprehensive operations and serve as a key resource within department or school. May serve in supervisory capacity. 

Knowledge: Apply broad and specialized knowledge to develop and refine practices, processes, and metrics. Serve as a subject matter expert or project lead. 

Complexity: Lead large and complex projects, often crossing functional boundaries; develop solutions to complex challenges and advise on policy development and implementation. Responsible for advanced analysis and oversight of major initiatives 

Autonomy: Develop methodologies for others, consult with senior management on project objectives, mentor colleagues, deliver advanced research solutions. Recommend policy and process improvements 

Interaction: Facilitate broad dialogue across teams or departments on difficult, complex, or sensitive matters, collaborate with others and drives matters to conclusion, and advise on developing plans and implementation methods.

Job Responsibilities Include: 

• Manage and supervise research administration team

• Plan workflow and assign portfolio to team members, adjusting as needed

• Lead the resolution of complex research administration problems and guide team of RPMs/Sr. RPMs to generate compliant solutions

• Manage all aspects of individual and team performance by setting standards and expectations around performance, leading annual reviews, and creating pathways to professional growth.

• In partnership with department unit leaders, lead hiring efforts and build a strong and effective team. 

• Strategize and establish process/policy for effective research administration

• In partnership with senior school leadership, set strategies and recommend processes for coordinated interaction with offices such as FAS Finance, OSP, OTD, RCP and OVPR to optimize research administration for faculty clients

• Maintain advanced knowledge and expertise of federal rules, other sponsor regulations and school and university policy to communicate with team and establish standard practice for compliant management of awards 

• Compliance and risk management

• Lead audit for area team; provide all documentation and process write-up

• Monitor and track faculty effort commitments and lead effort reporting

• Oversee all sponsored spending to ensure financial integrity and compliance 

Working Conditions:

• This position is designated as a hybrid. Work needs will determine on-campus presence, with an expectation of 1–3 days on campus per week, with flexibility in scheduling onsite days in consultation with the manager and team. On-site attendance requirements may vary based on assigned departments and evolving business needs.