Research Administration Manager, SOM Research Administrative Services (RAS)

Research Administration Manager, SOM Research Administrative Services (RAS)

The Research Administration Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the School of Medicine's research administration function, supporting faculty, investigators, and research staff throughout the full lifecycle of externally funded research programs. This position is responsible for delivering comprehensive pre-award and post-award support to investigators pursuing clinical research, clinical trials, career development awards (K-series), training grants (HRSA, NIH training mechanisms, and similar programs), and other sponsored research initiatives aligned with the School of Medicine's mission. The Research Administration Manager promotes a collaborative, compliant, and customer-focused research environment while ensuring adherence to sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and regulatory standards. The position serves as a senior resource for complex funding programs, providing guidance on proposal development, budget planning, award management, compliance considerations, and strategic research administration.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies - Extensive knowledge of pre-award and post-award research administration principles, practices, and regulations. Experience supporting clinical research, clinical trials, NIH career development awards (K awards), HRSA programs, training grants, and other complex sponsored funding mechanisms, including both Federal and Non-Federal based awards. Strong understanding of federal sponsor requirements, grant administration practices, effort reporting, budget management, and compliance considerations. Knowledge of institutional policies governing externally funded research programs. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to establish productive working relationships with faculty, research staff, administrators, sponsors, and institutional partners. Commitment to exceptional customer service and collaborative problem-solving. Ability to interpret sponsor requirements, funding announcements, regulations, and institutional policies and apply them to complex situations. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to independently manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to assess operational challenges and implement effective solutions. Strong change management and process improvement skills.

Duties/Responsibilities - Pre-Award Grants Administration Oversees and supports the development, review, and submission of complex research proposals and funding applications for federal, state, foundation, industry-sponsored, and other external funding sources. Provides guidance on program announcements, eligibility requirements, application strategies, budget development, and supporting documentation. Supports faculty pursuing clinical research studies, clinical trials, NIH career development awards (K-series), HRSA funding opportunities, institutional and individual training grants, also including non-Federal, foundation or industry sponsored grants, and other targeted School of Medicine research initiatives. Reviews budgets and administrative components of proposals to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and funding requirements. Serves as a subject matter expert for complex pre-award and post-award activities involving clinical research, clinical trials, K awards, training grants, multi-project programs, and other specialized funding mechanisms, both Federal and non-Federal sponsored research. Serves as the primary administrative resource for NIH Career Development Award applications (K01, K08, K23, K99/R00, and related mechanisms), assisting faculty with eligibility review, mentor documentation, career development plans, effort commitments, institutional support statements, and budget development. Provides strategic guidance to faculty and research staff regarding sponsor requirements, proposal preparation, budgeting, effort planning, cost-sharing, and award management. Partners with SOM leadership to identify research administration needs and implement solutions that support growth in externally funded research. Develops standardized procedures, workflows, and best practices to improve efficiency, consistency, and customer service across SOM research administration activities.

Duties/Responsibilities - Post-Award Administration Reviews budgets and administrative components of proposals to ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and funding requirements. Oversees post-award administrative activities, including award setup coordination, budget monitoring, effort management, reporting requirements, re-budgeting requests, no-cost extensions, and other award modifications. Assists investigators and research teams in resolving complex award administration issues and identifying appropriate strategies for maintaining compliance and project continuity. Monitors sponsor and institutional requirements throughout the life of the award and provides recommendations to mitigate administrative and compliance risks.

Duties/Responsibilities - Research Education, Outreach, and Faculty Support Develops and delivers educational programs, workshops, guidance materials, and individual consultations to enhance faculty and staff knowledge of research administration processes. Creates resources and tools that support investigators throughout proposal development and award management activities. Collaborates with institutional partners, departmental administrators, compliance offices, and research leadership to promote effective research administration practices. Fosters a culture of service and partnership that supports faculty success in securing and managing external funding. Serves as a trusted advisor to investigators and departmental research staff regarding best practices in research administration and sponsored program management. Supports faculty development efforts related to grant competitiveness and long-term research sustainability.

Duties/Responsibilities - Strategic Initiatives, Process Improvement, and Compliance Oversight Leads continuous process improvement initiatives to enhance research administration services, operational efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction within the School of Medicine. Evaluates existing processes and develops recommendations for improved service delivery, compliance monitoring, and operational effectiveness. Communicates changes in sponsor regulations, institutional policies, and funding requirements to SOM faculty and research staff. Develops documentation, guidance materials, and standard operating procedures to support consistent implementation of research administration practices. Participates in institutional committees, working groups, and special projects related to sponsored funding, research administration, and compliance. Provides data, reports, and analyses to leadership to support strategic planning and decision-making related to research growth and infrastructure. Other duties as assigned.