Executive Director Research Administration-Office of Research Admin

UT Health Sciences; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Health Sciences in Memphis seeks an Executive Director of Research Administration to lead institutional research administration from funding through award acceptance, with signature authority for proposals and awards. The role reports to senior leadership and partners with Sponsored Award Financial Services to ensure end-to-end service standards.

The position requires Master’s level credentials and a proven track record in federal research compliance, strategy, and staff development within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, Master’s preferred.
• Experience leading sponsored research administration programs is required.
• Knowledge of federal regulations and research compliance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Authorized Organizational Representative for submissions and awards.
• Set office priorities, service standards, and performance expectations.
• Oversee end-to-end proposal review, agreements, security, and data.
• Maintain award handoff protocols and portfolio capacity models.
• Lead workforce development and recruitment strategies.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Proposal submission

Research administration

Security/export control

E-RA systems

Staff leadership

Decision under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

eRA systems

Proposal management software

Job description

Market Range: 15

Hiring Salary: Salary Commensurate with Education and Experience

Job Summary/Essential Job Functions

The Executive Director of Research Administration leads institutional research administration from funding opportunity through award acceptance and serves as the Authorized Organizational Representative for the University. The position holds institutional signature authority for proposal submission and award acceptance and maintains the written delegation under which that authority is exercised by others. The Executive Director shares end-to-end service accountability with the Executive Director, Sponsored Award Financial Services, under joint oversight by the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Executive Vice Chancellor.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the Authorized Organizational Representative and maintains the written delegation instrument governing submission and award acceptance authority.


• Establishes office priorities, service standards, and performance expectations across proposal review, agreements, research security, systems, and data.


• Owns the end-to-end service standards shared in partnership with Sponsored Award Financial Services, including proposal turnaround, agreement cycle time, award acceptance to setup, and closeout.


• Establishes and maintains the award abstract and handoff protocol to ensure consistent interpretation and communication of award terms.


• Maintains an organizational capacity model that aligns proposal and agreement volume, portfolio complexity, and staffing needs.


• Leads workforce development, including career ladders, position level determinations, professional development plans, and promotion recommendations.


• Resolves cross-office matters through established escalation and accountability processes.


• Develops, implements, and maintains institutional policies and procedures governing proposal submission, award acceptance, and agreement execution.


• Develops recruitment and retention strategies to attract and retain highly qualified research administration professionals.


• Recommends the addition of positions when a driver sustains above threshold, and consolidates portfolios and holds vacancies when a driver sustains below threshold, with notice to the Vice Chancellor


• Advises institutional leadership on regulatory changes and the administrative implications of research strategy.


• Maintains institutional currency on federal, state, sponsor, and accreditation requirements affecting extramural funding.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration Science, Health Administration, or a related field. (Master’s Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Experience

Four (4) years of progressively responsible, sponsored research administration experience (previous job-related supervisory experience required); OR Master’s Degree and two (2) years of progressively responsible, sponsored research administration experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of federal regulations governing extramural funding, including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and standard federal research terms and conditions.


• Expert knowledge of proposal submission, award acceptance, and research agreement practice at a research-intensive institution.


• Knowledge of research security, export control, and foreign influence requirements affecting federally funded research.


• Knowledge of electronic research administration systems and of the data required to manage a research portfolio.


• Skill in leading professional staff and in building capability across a decentralized campus community.


• Ability to exercise institutional authority under time pressure and to document the basis for institutional decisions.


• Ability to build and sustain a shared operating model with a peer office under a separate reporting line.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position may occasionally be required to work weekends and evenings.