Senior Director of Research Operations

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Job Profile:

Job Summary:

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 Schools 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 Schools 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 schools departments/centers/units SMPH Facilities UW-Madisons 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 Schools 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 Deans 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 offices 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.

Key Job 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)

• Unique responsibilities

  • 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

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research Biotechnology and Graduate Studies

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $203534 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation holidays and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review thesummary of benefitsfor more information.

Required Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

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).

Education:

PhD required

How to Apply:

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Cover letter required

CV or Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

Contact Information:

Deb Gugel

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAYSERVICEfor further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength creativity and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity culture background experience status abilities and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching research outreach and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students faculty and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to including but not limited to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age pregnancy disability or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g. application interview pre-employment testing etc.) please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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