Administrative Director, GHUCCTS Administration and Strategic Operations

The Howard University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

PTO & Holidays

403(b) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Wellness programs

Job summary

Howard University is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the administrative and financial operations related to GHUCCTS participation. You will work closely with the Principal Investigator and partners to ensure compliance, program operations, and continuous process improvement.

The role includes leading QA/QC activities, coordinating with Georgetown University and other collaborators, and ensuring timely responses to NCATS requirements, while guiding

Responsibilities

• Direct administrative operations and implement strategic plans aligned with grant objectives.
• Oversee budget development, monitoring, and reporting; coordinate subaward administration.
• Lead QA/QC activities and supervise QA/QC coordinator; ensure regulatory approvals and documentation.
• Guide investigators and research teams through submission processes, pilot projects, and milestones.
• Supervise staff; coordinate recruitment, onboarding, workload distribution, and process improvements.

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff \"for fit\" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of the administrative and financial operations of Howard University's participation in GHUCCTS, supported by the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the Executive Director oversees program operations, financial and regulatory compliance, investigator support, personnel, and process improvement. The position serves as the institutional quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) lead and principal administrative liaison to Georgetown University, MedStar Health Research Institute, and other partners, ensuring coordinated responses to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Program Management and Strategic Operations

• Direct administrative operations and implement strategic plans aligned with grant objectives, institutional priorities, and award requirements.
• Establish responsibilities, milestones, performance measures, and timelines across program components, pilot projects, and scholar and trainee programs.
• Maintain a centralized calendar for submissions, reporting, financial reviews, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare leadership reports and meeting materials, track decisions, and ensure completion of action items.
• Identify operational risks and resource needs; implement solutions that strengthen integration, capacity, and long-term sustainability.

2. Financial Management and Award Administration

• Oversee budget development, implementation, monitoring, and reconciliation in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and authorized institutional offices.
• Coordinate subaward administration, including account setup, budget allocation, invoicing, reporting, and closeout.
• Monitor expenditures, personnel effort, salary allocations, commitments, and projections for accuracy and alignment with approved budgets and award requirements.
• Coordinate purchasing, consultant arrangements, payments, and financial transactions; resolve discrepancies and delays.
• Collaborate with partner institutions to review pilot project finances and ensure timely subcontracting, invoicing, and funds flow.
• Facilitate budget revisions, carryforward requests, extensions, and other award actions through appropriate institutional channels.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance/Quality Control

• Lead QA/QC activities and supervise the QA/QC coordinator.
• Establish standardized review procedures, checklists, and tracking systems for pilot, scholar, and trainee project submissions.
• Verify completeness and consistency of required regulatory approvals, human subjects documentation, and related materials before funding authorization or submission.
• Coordinate quality reviews of submissions to NCATS and the eRA Human Subjects System, as applicable.
• Work with investigators, compliance offices, and partner QA/QC leads to resolve deficiencies and document corrective actions.
• Route approved materials through Georgetown University's Office of Sponsored Research for formal submission and maintain records supporting monitoring and audits.

4. Investigator and Project Support

• Guide investigators and research teams through administrative requirements, submission processes, and project timelines.
• Coordinate pilot project selection workflows, onboarding, award activation, progress monitoring, and closeout.
• Facilitate access to regulatory, financial, contracting, and research support services.
• Track project milestones, approvals, reports, and outstanding actions; resolve administrative barriers affecting project progress.
• Coordinate scholar and trainee project support with program leadership.

5. Personnel Leadership and Process Improvement

• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff; establish priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, workload distribution, cross-training, and continuity coverage.
• Maintain standard operating procedures defining responsibilities, approvals, and escalation pathways.
• Implement shared