Operations, Education, and Research Administrator, Department of Surgery

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond seeks an Operations, Education, and Research Administrator for the Department of Surgery. This role provides strategic leadership across administration, finance, academics, and research, advising the Department Chair and collaborating with internal and external partners to advance the SOM mission.

The role emphasizes managing grants and contracts, educational programs, and operational improvements, with a hybrid work arrangement and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration or a closely related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, operations, or a related field.
• Experience supporting sponsored research and grants administration.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• Preferred qualifications include higher education administration, and administration/operations of LCGME-accredited education programs or R1-accredited research university operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for the department university business functions.
• Lead administrative, financial, academic, research, facilities, and support services.
• Develop and evaluate policies and operational initiatives to support university goals.
• Serve as strategic advisor to department leadership on business and operational matters.
• Direct strategic priorities, resource allocation, and departmental university initiatives.
• Support faculty research initiatives and grants administration.
• Oversee residency, fellowship, graduate and undergraduate educational programs.
• Plan and direct implementation of technological solutions and process improvements.

Education

Master's degree in business administration or a closely related field

Experience supporting sponsored research and grants administration

Experience in higher education administration (preferred)

Experience administering or operating LCGME-accredited education programs (preferred)

Experience administering or operating in an R1-accredited research university (preferred)

Leading large, multidisciplinary teams (preferred)

Job description

Advertising Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit

School Of Medicine MBU

Department

Surgery

Duties & Responsibilities

The Operations, Education, and Research Administrator, Department of Surgery provides strategic and operational leadership, ensuring efficient administration of financial, human resources, academic, research and business operations for the university. This position serves as a key advisor to the Department Chair and Administrator and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to support the Department of Surgery’s VCU mission, goals, and objectives.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Provide operational leadership for the department university business functions
• Provide leadership and direction for administrative, financial, academic, research, facilities, and support service functions
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and operational initiatives that support university goals
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the department leadership on business and operational matters
• Develop short- and long-term plans for the business affairs and operational needs of the department
• Direct strategic priorities, resource allocation, and departmental university initiatives

Research Administration

• Facilitate and support faculty and staff research initiatives
• Direct the preparation, submission, and administration of grants and contracts
• Ensure compliance with institutional requirements, funding agency policies, and federal regulations governing sponsored programs
• Support strategic research growth and administrative infrastructure that advances faculty grants and innovation

Education Administration

• Oversee residency, fellowship, graduate and undergraduate educational programs
• Ensure program compliance with education accreditation standards

Operations and Program Management

• Oversee facilities, business operations, and support service functions as assigned
• Design, manage, and implement processes to support compliance with state and federal policies and regulations
• Align departmental policies and practices with SOM and university objectives and regulatory requirements
• Ensure program compliance with education accreditation standards
• Plan and direct the implementation and modification of technological solutions
• Identify operational improvements and lead organizational change initiatives

Stakeholder Relations

• Act as a liaison on behalf of department leadership with internal and external stakeholders
• Build collaborative relationships with all key university partners
• Communicate department goals, priorities, and initiatives effectively

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration or a closely related field
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, operations, or a related field
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered
• Experience supporting sponsored research and grants administration
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education administration
• Demonstrated experience of administration or operations of LCGME-accredited education programs
• Demonstrated experience of administration or operations in an R1-accedited research university
• Experience managing complex budgets and multiple funding sources
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams

Salary Range

$145,000 - $165,000

Benefits

• All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement

Hybrid

University Job Title

91941 - Director Administration GA 1-3

Contact Information

Contact Name

Mary Waite

Contact Email

[e-mail]