Research Operations Leader – Strategy, Budgets & Impact

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Research Operations Manager to provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a high-impact research institute. You will oversee daily operations, financial health, compliance, and long-term planning, aligning research activities with the university's mission and supporting faculty and staff.

You will design and implement initiatives to improve productivity, manage large cross-functional projects, and use data analytics to inform decisions.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years in supervisory roles.
• Required Certifications: None.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a research institute.
• Oversee daily operations, financial health, compliance, and long-term planning.
• Align research activities with the university's mission and support faculty.
• Design and implement operational initiatives to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Manage large cross-functional projects with stakeholder coordination and outcome evaluation.
• Monitor strategic initiatives using data analytics and KPIs to inform decisions.
• Promote innovation and translational research collaborations.
• Develop policies to support research excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with HR on staffing, performance management, and professional development.
• Partner with Strategic Finance to manage budgets, awards, and financial reporting.
• Lead procurement, space planning, IT requirements, and external partnerships.
• Serve as liaison between institute and internal/external stakeholders.

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

Penn State University is seeking a Research Operations Manager to provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a high-impact research institute. You will oversee daily operations, financial health, compliance, and long-term planning, aligning research activities with the university's mission and supporting faculty and staff.

You will design and implement initiatives to improve productivity, manage large cross-functional projects, and use data analytics to inform decisions.