Research & Innovation Operations Specialist

The University is located in Denver Colorado a city known for its dynamic blend of business innovation and world-class recreation. Denver is consistently ranked by Forbes and Kiplingers Magazine as one of the top cities for young professionals and recent college graduates. The University of Denver is a private institution founded in 1864. It serves a population of more than 5200 undergraduate and 6200 graduate students as a research-intensive institution. The beautiful campus is located approximately seven miles from downtown with easy access to public transportation.

With a long tradition of excellence and innovation the Daniels College of Business prepares students to succeed in a dynamic changing world. We are a high-achieving community of students staff and faculty that inspires one another to think in new ways perform at higher levels and transform organizations and communities. Daniels is ranked among the top business schools and is the only business school in Colorado to receive rankings and recognition from BusinessWeek the Financial Times U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. The Daniels College of Business (DCB) offers a variety of baccalaureate graduate PhD and certificate programs which are detailed at Summary

This position has the primary responsibility for supporting the research efforts of Daniels faculty and students the Executive PhD Program training programs and the Centers of Excellence. The Research & Innovation Operations Specialist will provide administrative support to the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives and the Director of the Executive PhD (EPhD) Program and work as part of a team to elevate the impact and reach of research and grow Centers of Excellence at Daniels. This position will track data around faculty and student expertise plan and execute research-related and EPhD events manage Daniels Research program budget identify and support development of internal and external funding sources for the Centers of Excellence and support communications efforts of these programs within Daniels and DU as well as to the wider community. This position will serve as point person for information regarding faculty expertise and internal and external research resources as well as EPhD students.

Essential Functions

• Project Scoping & Contract Processing Support directors of Centers of Excellence in scoping faculty-led and student-run client-based projects that can bring in revenue. Processing contracts and payments for corporate and community partners.
• Data and Database Tracking Develop and maintain database of faculty and EPhD student expertise publications publicity and other accomplishments. Track EPhD students from recruitment through the program and post-graduation. This includes application materials class registration dissertation tracking and alumni engagement. Track database subscriptions and renewals and success metrics for impactful research.
• Program and Events Coordination Provide support for faculty research and EPhD related events such as EPhD orientation and immersions. Support outreach events for Daniels Research such as research presentations and Centers of Excellence including research-related programming workshops and community/corporate events.
• Internal & External Communications Develop newsletters to highlight research activities Centers of Excellence and EPhD updates. Maintain and improve online communications while also communicating with key internal stakeholders such as the Office of Graduation Education and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to ensure successful collaboration.
• Operations and Budget Management Maintain budgets and contracts and for Daniels Research (Corporate Sponsored Research and Grant Development) Centers of Excellence and EPhD. Provide operational support for EPhD including faculty compensation as well as making sure activities stay within the budget.
• Grants/External Funds Development Work with ORSP Corporate Relations and Program Directors to identify internal and external sources of funding for research and Centers of Excellence faculty and EPhD students conducting research in specific areas.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills to work effectively with affiliated and unaffiliated researchers committee members students and other DU department and college personnel.
• Ability to professionally communicate complex information to a wide variety of audiences both written and orally.
• Ability to independently manage several projects at once and ability to work under pressure to meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Strong customer service skills and well-developed communication skill level. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with an inclusive population.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to uphold ethical practices amid complicated and confidential situations.
• Experience using Microsoft Professional Suite software Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize skills in problem solving and ability to consider multiple alternatives. Must be able to make appropriate decisions independently and seek assistance as appropriate.
• Evidence of self-motivation and ability to work independently and within a team building professional work relationships with coworkers faculty staff students and administrators.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task effectively and to take initiative to identify prioritize and plan tasks and projects necessary to meet individual and department goals.
• Ability to recognize analyze and resolve potential issues/problems.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Exhibits diplomacy and exceptional customer service.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree.
• At least two (2) years of experience in administrative or research-related work that involves professional written and verbal communications as well as a background in gathering organizing reviewing and reporting complex information
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in business or other discipline.
• Experience writing and/or processing grants at local (e.g. Denver) state (e.g. CO) or national level (e.g. US).
• Experience working in a university research or administration office with electronic submission systems; ability to learn and master specialized software (e.g. SONA Salesforce).
• Knowledge and practical application of research ethical principles and federal regulatory requirements.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 1 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 9.

Salary Rate:
The salary rate for this position is $60000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.