Research Operations Director

Family Health International; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

FHI 360 is seeking a Research Operations Director to lead strategic and operational support for global health research initiatives. You will oversee execution across a diverse portfolio, ensuring on-time delivery and ethical compliance, and drive workflow optimization and resource sharing across organizations.

Responsibilities include enforcing SOPs, partnering with research partners and funders, and guiding cross-functional teams to align operations with strategic goals and donor expectations.

Qualifications

• Understanding of global research operations, including IRB processes, donor compliance, and international research regulations.
• Expertise in operational strategy, risk management, and quality assurance in research settings.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and data systems used in research environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the revision and enforcement of SOPs with the Office of International Research Ethics and data security/privacy teams.
• Interface with donors, funders, and leadership to align operations with strategic goals.
• Oversee development and execution of research project plans, ensuring compliance with SOPs and regulations.

Skills

Global research operations

IRB processes

Donor compliance

Leadership & stakeholder engagement

Project management

Microsoft Office (Project, Excel, Word

Education

Master’s degree in Public Health or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

SharePoint

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Research Operations Director Job Code: RESE21072 Job Family: Research Compensation Band: Band N FLSA: Exempt

The Research Operations Director leads the strategic and operational support of research initiatives across global health, and development sectors. The Director oversees the operational execution of a diverse research portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time and in compliance with ethical standards. They lead efforts to optimize workflows, manage shared resources, and interface with operations and enterprise services across the organization to support research initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES

Complexity & Problem Solving: This role requires advanced problem-solving skills to navigate complex regulatory environments, multi-country research logistics, and evolving donor requirements. The Director identifies operational bottlenecks, develops scalable solutions, and ensures alignment with FHI 360’s mission and compliance standards. Designing and implementing systems that streamline research operations across diverse geographies. Anticipating and mitigating risks related to research implementation, ethics, and data security. Driving innovation in research support services, including digital tools and process automation.

Expertise & Influence: Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Director develops systems and processes to support research implementation and oversight. They influence strategic decisions related to research infrastructure, compliance, and capacity building. Their work directly impacts the organization’s reputation to deliver high-quality, compliant and ethical research on all its projects, across segments and portfolios.

Key Accountabilities Include: Leading the revision and enforcement of SOPs in conjunction with our Office of International Research Ethics, safeguarding and data security/privacy teams. Serves as an integral part of discussions with new and continuing research partners, potential funders, and in leadership meetings across the organization and externally Provides oversight to the development and execution of research project plans, ensuring adherence to SOPs, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration & Interaction: This role requires extensive collaboration across internal departments (e.g., Research, Legal, Finance, HR, IT) and with external stakeholders including donors and regulatory bodies. The Director communicates with clarity and diplomacy, often engaging with VP-level leaders and cross‑functional teams to align research operations with strategic goals. Responsibilities include: Facilitating cross‑functional working groups to support research project lifecycles. Building strong relationships with country offices to ensure local context is integrated into operational planning. Mentoring mid‑level managers and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Implementing project management tools and dashboards to track progress and performance. Leading post‑project reviews to capture lessons learned and inform future practices.

Task Management & Efficiency: May supervise direct reports. Overseeing research teams and managing operations. Provide leadership for vendor identification and selection, ensuring proper oversight and performance management. Embraces other duties as assigned, contributing to the team’s multifaceted and evolving responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge & Skills: Understanding of global research operations, including IRB processes, donor compliance, and international research regulations. Expertise in operational strategy, risk management, and quality assurance in research settings. Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills. Proficiency in project management tools and data systems used in research environments. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Project, Excel, and Word, with experience using project management software.

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in Public Health, Social Sciences, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations or project management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-country portfolios.
• Fluent in English language.
• Experience in NGO or non-profit research settings.
• Relevant degree or its international equivalent, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to perform job responsibilities effectively.

Certifications: Project Management (PM) certification preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications: 5 years’ experience in a leadership role is preferred. We welcome candidates with other relevant certifications or their international equivalents.

TRAVEL

5-10%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical office environment. Constantly uses a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

TECHNOLOGY

Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The expected US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. Candidates FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location.

• Base salary is only one component of our offer.
• FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account.
• Additionally, all US-based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year.
• Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: 152,000 - 170,600 USD Annual International hiring ranges will differ based on location

EMPLOYER & EEO STATEMENTS

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.