*Internal Only*Director, Internal Research Support & Recognition

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 122,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas is seeking a Director, Internal Research Support & Recognition to provide strategic leadership for internal funding programs, limited submissions, and faculty recognition initiatives across KU-Lawrence and KUMC.

You will align the portfolio with One KU priorities, oversee governance and policy development, drive data-informed investment decisions, and partner with deans, AVCs, and research leadership to elevate KU’s national profile.

Qualifications

• Eleven (11) years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, research development, faculty affairs, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing internal funding programs, limited submissions, or faculty recognition processes.
• Experience working with senior academic leadership (e.g., deans, AVCs, provost-level offices).
• Three (3) years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including responsibility for staff management, performance evaluation, and goal setting
• Experience developing and implementing policies, processes, or governance structures
• Experience using data to inform decision-making and assess program impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide institution-wide strategic leadership for internal research support programs, limited submissions, and faculty recognition initiatives.
• Oversee the development and management of internal pilot, seed, and collaborative funding programs and co-funding strategies.
• Lead governance, timelines, and policies across internal funding, limited submissions, and recognition programs.
• Coordinate portfolio reviews to assess ROI, institutional impact, and alignment with KU priorities.
• Engage with senior leadership and campus partners to ensure transparency and equity in funding decisions.
• Supervise the Internal Research Support & Recognition team and ensure high-quality execution across programs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision-making

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Policy development

Communication with senior leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Overview

This position is only open to employees internal to KU-Lawrence & KUMC Office of Research/Research Administration employees.

The Director, Internal Research Support & Recognition provides strategic, institution-wide leadership for internal research support programs that enable, fund, and recognize research excellence across the University of Kansas. This role oversees a coordinated One KU portfolio of internal funding programs, limited submissions, and faculty recognition initiatives aligned with institutional research priorities. The Director ensures that internal investments are administered through transparent and fair processes and informed by data and peer benchmarking. The role partners closely with faculty and senior leadership to strengthen the research pipeline, support competitiveness for external funding, and elevate KU’s national visibility.

Job Description

25% - Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

In partnership with senior research leadership, develop institution-wide strategy and oversee the development and management of:

• Internal pilot, seed, and collaborative research funding programs
• Co-funding of strategic research investments
• Limited submissions
• Internal faculty research recognition awards
• External prestigious and highly prestigious awards, and honorific distinctions

Support the oversight and strategic alignment of the internal research investment portfolio to maximize institutional impact, including:

• Convening and informing quarterly discussions on funding priorities, tradeoffs, and allocation decisions
• Applying data-driven insights and peer benchmarks to inform decision-making and demonstrate return on investment

Lead and guide periodic portfolio reviews to evaluate impact and strategic alignment of internal research investments, including:

• Assessing program-level return on investment and institutional impact
• Monitoring participation patterns and equity outcomes
• Aligning investments with KU’s priority research areas and growth opportunities

15% - Internal Research Investments & Limited Submissions

Provide senior oversight of internal support and co-funding programs, ensuring:

• Alignment with institutional and campus research priorities
• Clear and consistent governance structures, review processes, and decision-making frameworks
• Establish and enforce consistent policies, standards, and timelines across all internal funding, limited submission, and recognition programs
• Transparent communication with faculty regarding opportunities, eligibility, timelines, and review outcomes

20% - Faculty Recognition & Awards

• Provide strategic oversight for internal faculty research recognition programs to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and visibility goals
• Oversee coordination and nomination strategies for external prestigious and highly prestigious awards and honorific distinctions
• Ensure recognition programs are administered through transparent, fair, and consistent processes
• Partner with research leadership to identify and elevate faculty for institutional and national recognition opportunities

20% - Governance, Partnerships & Integration

• Serve as the primary institutional liaison for internal research support and faculty recognition initiatives, partnering with:
  • Associate Vice Chancellors for Research
  • Deans and campus leadership
  • Office of Research strategic and planning teams
• Establish and monitor metrics to assess program effectiveness, including return on investment, downstream funding outcomes, and faculty participation
• Ensure alignment of internal investments and recognition programs with broader One KU research priorities and growth areas

20% - Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and supervise the Internal Research Support & Recognition team, including program and operations personnel
• Ensure coordinated, high-quality execution across programs to deliver a cohesive and high-impact portfolio
• Align team goals, processes, and workload to support consistent service delivery and institutional priorities.
• Conducts activities in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with KUMC Policies and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Coordinate work with other University areas ensure integration and support of the University mission.
• Develops, maintains and expands job-specific knowledge and skills to keep pace with industry changes and supports the university's commitment to excellence and innovation.
• Participates in relevant committees, task force, or other similar activities.
  • Maintain confidentiality of medical center, employee, and patient information. Manages sensitive data with discretion and in accordance with KUMC policies and legal requirements.
  • Maintains the highest standards of integrity, respect, professional conduct, and ethical standards.

Required Qualifications

• Eleven (11) years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, research development, faculty affairs, or a closely related field. Education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing internal funding programs, limited submissions, or faculty recognition processes.
• Experience working with senior academic leadership (e.g., deans, AVCs, provost-level offices).
• Three (3) years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including responsibility for staff management, performance evaluation, and goal setting
• Experience developing and implementing policies, processes, or governance structures
• Experience using data to inform decision-making and assess program impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Experience leading institution-wide or multi-campus research programs or portfolios.
• Experience using data and peer benchmarking to inform strategic investment decisions.
• Experience developing standards or framework related to research funding, review processes, or conflicts of interest.
• Experience with faculty and senior leadership in a research university setting.

Candidate Instructions

This position is open to KU-Lawerence and KUMC Office of Research/Research Administration employees only.

We are not accepting off-campus applicants at this time.

This position will be open for applications through Tuesday, August 18th. You must apply by that date.

Advertised Salary Range122,121.00 - 158,760.00 - 195,394.00 USD Annually

Application Review BeginsWednesday August 19, 2026

Anticipated Start DateMonday August 24, 2026