Assistant Director of Research Administration

Paycom - ATS; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Parker University is seeking an Assistant Director of Research Administration to lead sponsored programs and research operations. This role oversees pre-award and post-award activities, compliance, reporting, and institutional research processes in collaboration with the Dean of Research.

The candidate will develop SOPs, manage grant calendars, budgets, and dashboards, and coordinate liaisons among PIs, Finance, HR, Procurement, and sponsors.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; Doctoral degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible research administration or sponsored programs experience.
• Knowledge of federal research regulations, grants management, compliance processes, and higher education administration.
• Experience in pre-award and post-award administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal submission processes, routing, timelines, internal approvals, and sponsor submissions.
• Coordinate funding opportunity tracking and grant calendars.
• Develop and review proposal budgets with faculty and institutional departments.
• Manage award setup, modifications, progress reporting, financial coordination, and closeout activities.
• Serve as liaison among Principal Investigators, Finance, HR, Procurement, and sponsors.
• Develop SOPs, templates, and operational workflows for research administration.
• Coordinate research workshops, events, symposia, and communications.
• Manage research office reporting deadlines and operational metrics.
• Support website content and research communications.

Skills

Grants management

Compliance

Federal regulations

Higher education administration

Project management

IRB processes

Education

Master’s degree

Doctoral degree preferred

Tools

Grants management software

Reporting tools

Job description

Are you interested in building a career that makes a difference and creates a legacy? Parker University, the fourth-fastest growing college in Texas and the fastest-growing college in Dallas, is currently searching for an Assistant Director of Research Administration to join our rapidly expanding team! We are seeking individuals who desire to use their unique skills to innovate and make an impact.The Assistant Director of Research Administration serves as the operational leader for sponsored programs and research administration at Parker University. The position functions as the primary administrator for pre-award and post-award grant activities, research operations, compliance administration, reporting, and institutional research processes. Working closely with the Dean of Research and Research Administration, this role manages the day-to-day research enterprise while supporting faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and external partners.WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Workload Allocation60% Sponsored Programs Administration25% Research Operations15% Compliance AdministrationSponsored Programs AdministrationLead proposal submission processes, routing, timelines, internal approvals, and sponsor submissions.Coordinate funding opportunity tracking and grant calendars.Develop and review proposal budgets with faculty and institutional departments.Manage award setup, modifications, progress reporting, financial coordination, and closeout activities.Serve as liaison among Principal Investigators, Finance, HR, Procurement, and sponsors.Research Operations & AdministrationDevelop SOPs, templates, and operational workflows for research administration.Coordinate research workshops, events, symposia, and communications.Manage research office reporting deadlines and operational metrics.Support website content and research communications.Compliance AdministrationMaintain training records, conflict-of-interest documentation, assurance records, and compliance deadlines.Support IRB workflow monitoring and regulatory documentation.Coordinate research compliance education programs.Prepare documentation for audits, accreditation reviews, and sponsor monitoring.Performance Metrics & ReportingTrack proposals submitted, award dollars, faculty participation, compliance completion, and success rates.Prepare dashboards and executive reports for leadership.Support strategic planning and accreditation reporting.WHAT YOU WILL NEED:EDUCATION/EXPERTISE:A Master’s degree is required; doctoral degree preferred.3-5 years of progressively responsible research administration or sponsored programs experience.Demonstrated experience in pre-award and post-award administration.Knowledge of federal research regulations, grants management, compliance processes, and higher education administration.JOB REQUIREMENT/SKILL/ETC.:Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations related to grants, contracts, and research compliance.Experience with project management and the administration of multiple research and sponsored program activities.Knowledge of grant budget development, financial oversight, and post-award administration.Working knowledge of IRB processes, research compliance requirements, and regulatory standards.Proficiency with research administration systems, grants management software, and reporting tools.Ability to develop and analyze research metrics, reports, and dashboards to support strategic decision-making.Advocate effectively for internal and external support of research, scholarship, and creative activity to advance the mission of the University.Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.Strong organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Visual acuity to use a keyboard and view a computer terminal. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp.May require ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; or the ability to stand and walk.Ability to occasionally lift, carry and/or move light to medium weight up to twelve (12) pounds and/or exert up to twelve (12) pounds of force.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.WHY PARKER?Founded in 1982 by Dr. James William Parker, Parker University has more than 1,800 students and 34 academic programs. Parker University proudly offers its famed Doctor of Chiropractic degree and Business and Technology and Health Sciences programs.Parker University has been recognized as a Great College to Work For and one of the 25 Fastest-Growing Colleges in the U.S.Parker University offers competitive salaries, generous benefits, and the opportunity to engage with our unique campus community.