Research Development Manager

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida’s UF Health Cancer Institute seeks a Research Development Manager to lead programmatic and administrative management of complex grants and research development activities. The role oversees a team, guides manuscript writing and dissemination, and coordinates resources across UFHCI and related programs.

The position requires extensive NIH/NIH-like sponsorship knowledge, experience with pre- and post-award management, and a strong background in academic research

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant research administration experience in an NCI-designated Cancer Institute or similar NIH funded center.
• Extensive experience overseeing pre- and post-award management.
• Experience supervising or leading a team (5+ years) and leadership training.
• Experience in pre- and post-award management of industry and federal funded clinical studies.
• Knowledge of NIH and other federal sponsors, state and private foundation regulations.
• Knowledge of federal grants management guidelines including 2 CFR 200, FAR, and NSF policies.
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and GAS etc. accounting rules.

Responsibilities

• Supervision and management of the Research Development team within the ORA including performance management and work assignments.
• Oversee the research development and program administration activities, including grant and manuscript writing and editing, figures, images and posters, and dissemination of results.
• Provide programmatic and administrative management to UFHCI membership, research programs, and working groups.
• Programmatic and administrative management of complex and team science grants (e.g., NCI P30 Center grant).
• Administrative management for UFHCI-managed and UFHCI-ICBR Jointly Managed Shared Resources.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Leadership

Collaboration

Time management

Communication

Public speaking

Microsoft Office

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration or Healthcare Administration

Tools

PowerBI

GAAP knowledge

2 CFR 200

Job description

Classification Title

Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in grant and contract administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Description

The UF Health Cancer Institute is the 72nd NCI designated cancer center and the only one at a public university in the State of Florida. As a matrix cancer center, we span all of the University of Florida's 16 colleges, pulling together a world-class, multi-disciplinary membership of over 350 faculty and 180 staff to address the challenges of the cancer burden faced by the population we serve as we work together to find a cure.

As the Research Development Manager in the Office of Research Administration (ORA) at the UF Health Cancer Institute (UFHCI), you will be responsible for the programmatic and administrative management of the Institute’s complex and team science grants, oversight and management of all research programs and development related activities, as well as the research development functions of the Institute. Deep understanding and expertise in research administration in academia and the functions of research development in supporting academic research are necessary for success in this role.

In your new role you will be responsible for the following:

• Supervision and management of the Research Development team within the ORA including developing position descriptions, leading performance management and improvement efforts for the unit, time approvals, leave requests, and work assignments.
• Oversight of the research development and program administration activities of the UFHCI, including grant and manuscript writing and editing, development of figures, images and posters, and dissemination of results.
• Providing programmatic and administrative management to the UFHCI membership, research programs, and research working groups.
• Programmatic and administrative management of the complex and team science grants of the UFHCI, to include the NCI P30 Center grant, managing both non-competitive and competitive renewal documentation, coordination, and submission.
• Administrative management for both the UFHCI-managed, and UFHCI-ICBR Jointly Managed Shared Resources.

This is an management level position, ideal for candidates with extensive experience in research administration in academic research. Employees in these roles operate as part of our collaborative research enterprise and are fundamental to the progress of cancer research being conducted at the University of Florida. A complete job description will be provided to candidates selected for interview.

Home to the University of Florida, one of the nation's top public universities, Gainesville offers vibrant academic and healthcare communities alongside an affordable cost of living, no state income tax, and mild winters. Enjoy the outdoors with over 30 miles of bike trails, freshwater springs, and numerous water activities, plus easy access to beaches and world-class theme parks.

Gainesville combines historic charm with modern amenities, including a great school system, a lively downtown, and farmers' markets and craft breweries. Discover professional growth and quality of life in Gainesville—where community, innovation, and work-life balance meet!

• 8+ years of relevant research administration experience in an NCI-designated Cancer Institute or similar NIH funded center.
• Extensive research administration experience overseeing both pre- and post-award management.
• Demonstrated working knowledge and understanding of programs and processes of primary granting agencies, to include, but not limited to, NIH and other federal sponsors, state and private foundation regulations and requirements, as well as other corporate and private sponsors.
• Demonstrated experience managing the submission of, and post-award oversight of complex grants (e.g. P01s, P30s, P50s, R25s, T32s, U01s, U10s, and/or U54s).
• Demonstrated working knowledge and understanding of federal grants management guidelines including 2CFR200, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.
• Demonstrated working knowledge and understanding of accounting practices and applied GAAP and GAS principles.
• Extensive knowledge of State/Federal and institutional accounting rules and regulations.

Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executive and senior leadership, staff, vendors, and volunteers to achieve the goals of managed projects.
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills and the flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Excellent delegation and time management skills and ability to successfully manage multiple priorities seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional ability to develop project and proposals and drive them to completion through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across functions, including working directly with University and senior leadership to achieve the goals of ongoing projects.
• Ability to utilize complex database systems to generate analytical reports (i.e. University Financial System, Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Electronic Research Administration (eRA) systems, NIH Databases, to include Reporter, etc.).
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, especially proof-reading and public speaking skills.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.

Professional research administration certification (through RACC, etc.) is required at the earliest of 12 months from hire or eligibility. Training, CE support, and other resources are provided as part of the UFHCI’s commitment to professional development across our staff and faculty.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Accounting, or another related field.
• Experience in research development and program management in an NCI-designated Cancer Institute or similar NIH funded center strongly preferred.
• Prior experience as a supervisor or team lead (5+ years) and/or completion of leadership/management training program (eg. Managing at UF – The Supervisory Challenge).
• Experience in pre and post-award management of industry and federal funded clinical studies.
• Extensive working knowledge and understanding of the university research environment in an academic medical setting.

Qualities

• Forward-thinking mentality, actively seeking opportunities and proposing creative solutions with strong decision-making capability.
• Demonstrated strong desire to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders and critical staff, both internally and externally, through a variety of communication mediums and venues.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be effective independently, maintain appropriate discretion, and utilize effective writing and organizational skills.
• Excellent delegation and time management skills and ability to successfully manage multiple priorities seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service with a professional, trustworthy, approachable demeanor and strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability and desire to work with a broad range of people and appreciate a culturally diverse organization.

Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated quantitative and data analytic skills, with ability to generate, distill and interpret data for senior leadership on metric and benchmarking analysis to provide logical conclusions/projections and program evaluation and anticipating costs/obligations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with detailed financial data and to analyze financial information.
• Proficiency with various graphic and presentation software (e.g. PowerBI).

This is not a remote work position and will be located on UF’s East Campus in Gainesville, FL.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required:

Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 10 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 17 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.