Senior Director of Research Operations

Consider this exceptional opportunity to provide efficient and effective management of our research enterprise and to have significant impact across one of the top public medical schools in the nation. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health seeks an accomplished senior administrative leader to serve as its inaugural Senior Director of Research Operations in the Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies.

Reporting to leadership of the school’s office of research, who is responsible for research strategy, development and oversight, the Senior Director of Research Operations directs the central administrative and operational infrastructure supporting research — ensuring compliance, optimizing resource utilization, and facilitating the successful execution of the school’s research mission across all departments, centers and institutes.

The senior director will develop, implement and monitor operational policies, procedures and best practices to streamline research administration and optimize workflows. The role will be charged with leading initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research resources, including shared resources and space allocation.

The successful candidate is required to have 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.

Key Job Responsibilities

• 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.

Oversee the effective use of research and office space that facilitates growth of research expenditures and research program development. Develop initiatives and approaches to enhance the use of shared resources, including research equipment, model systems, and data analysis platforms.

• 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.

• Develop and audits research program budget(s)

• 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, implements, directs, and evaluates research program operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives.

Education PhD is required. 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 nonprofit/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).

How to Apply:
Please click on the link to the job posting. Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

• 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.

The deadline for assuring full consideration is April 30, 2026; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.