Department:

RI Administration

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Research Administration

Position Title:

Director - Research Administration Operations

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

The Director, Research Administration Operations (DRAO) serves as a strategic partner and operational leader for the research administration portfolio. This position ensures alignment across executive priorities, manages internal cross-functional projects, and oversees administrative functions that support senior leadership. Acting as an integrator and execution partner, the role drives organizational coherence and operational excellence. The DRAO plays a critical role in advancing Research Administration’s vision and priorities by coordinating strategic operations, tracking key initiatives and projects, and fostering alignment across the leadership team. The position supervises the Executive Operations department, which provides executive support for leadership and portfolio-wide activities, and works closely with the Vice Chancellor for Research’s Director of Operations and Special Projects to ensure coordination and consistency across shared initiatives.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Coordination

Oversee and direct administrative support for the research administration portfolio.
Lead strategy and content development for major meetings (e.g., supervisor meetings, VCR assembly), ensuring alignment with leadership priorities.
Serve as the primary liaison between executives and administrative team.

Advance Operational Effectiveness

Represent the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (SAVCR) in advancing special initiatives within Research Administration requiring coordination across multiple units (e.g., process improvement, policy development).
Lead the execution of planned initiatives across Research Administration, from concept and planning through implementation, evaluation, and logistics to promote collaboration and efficiency.
Track initiatives progress, ensure timely completion, and provide regular updates to leadership.
Drive cross‑functional execution by removing blockers and escalating issues to the SAVCR and ensure collaboration across Research Administration finance, contracts, compliance, clinical operations, and IT.
Design and implement process improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and resource utilization.
Research and apply innovative strategies and best practices to optimize organizational performance.

Operational Oversight

Manage operational initiatives including SOP development, annual planning, and file retention standards.
Oversee facilities, office equipment, badge access, and compliance processes.
Supervise staff responsible for event planning and executive travel coordination, ensuring processes align with organizational priorities and standards.

Workforce Strategy

Develop and implement strategies for the portfolio (e.g., workforce planning, role alignment).
Partner with central HR & administrative staff for execution of HR Analyst role tasks (onboarding, forms, etc.)
Develop organizational staffing plans and ensure that employees with the appropriate experience and skills are hired, onboarded, trained, supervised, have individual goals and development plans; Conducts annual performance evaluations and where necessary implement appropriate employee discipline.
Ensure area employees conduct activities in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with KUMC Policies and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Ensure all work performed by employees in the area is done in a safe and secure manner.
Direct coordination of area work with other areas of KUMC to ensure integration and support of KUMC goals and objectives.
Maintain personal level of subject matter expertise necessary to ensure the area activities are carried out on a best practices basis.
Participate in and/or lead appropriate committees, task force, or other similar activities assuring optimal resource utilization.
Ensure that necessary electronic data collection, storage and retrieval systems are implemented and used by area personnel in an appropriate fashion.
Ensure that the area maintains any certifications desired by KUMC to further promote quality education and research.
Ensure the confidentiality of medical center, employee, and patient information. Handle sensitive data with discretion and in accordance with KUMC policies and legal requirements.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Work Experience:

10 years of experience in administrative leadership, operations, or business process improvement. Education may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Three years of experience as a manager of employees.
Experience with leading complex, cross-functional projects.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Management, Project Management, Higher Education Administration, Public Policy, Research Administration, or similar administrative and operational fields

Work Experience:

Work experience in with higher education and/or research administration.
6 years of experience in administrative leadership, operations, or business process improvement.

Skills

Communication skills
Organizational skills
Problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
Microsoft Office Suite skills
Enterprise scheduling skills

If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers. A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Rate Type:

Salary

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range:

$103,014.00 - $164,822.00

Minimum

$103,014.00

Midpoint

$133,920.00

Maximum

$164,822.00