Research Operations Manager - Medicine

Penn State University; United States; On-site; USD 116,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Research Operations Manager to provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a multidisciplinary research institute. The role oversees daily operations, financial health, compliance, infrastructure, and long-range planning to ensure alignment with the university’s mission.

The position guides staff, manages large cross-functional projects, and partners with senior leadership to benchmark performance and drive improvements across programs and

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• No certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a multidisciplinary research institute.
• Oversee daily operations, financial health, compliance, infrastructure, and long-term planning.
• Lead cross-functional projects with timely execution and stakeholder coordination.
• Monitor strategic initiatives using data analytics and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with HR on staffing strategies, workforce planning, and development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Financial stewardship

Compliance expertise

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Project management

Staff development

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

ERP systems

Budgeting software

Procurement systems

Job description

Position Specifics

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

• The Research Operations Manager provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for a high-impact, multidisciplinary research institute; is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, financial health, compliance, infrastructure, and long-term planning of the institute; ensures that research activities align with the university’s mission; supports faculty and research staff; drives innovation and collaboration across academic and external partners.
• Oversee the comprehensive administration of the institute’s operations, including strategic planning, resource management, and organizational development.
• Lead the execution of the institute’s mission and vision by aligning day-to-day operations with long-term strategic goals.
• Design and implement new operational initiatives to enhance research productivity, efficiency, and impact; identify, propose, and implement continuous process improvements in administrative systems, workflows, and service delivery.
• Manage large-scale, cross-functional projects across, ensuring timely execution, stakeholder coordination, and outcome evaluation.
• Monitor the progress of strategic initiatives and research programs, using data analytics and performance metrics to inform decision-making and drive evidence-based improvements.
• Promote innovation by identifying commercialization opportunities, accelerating translational research, and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures that support research excellence, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure adherence to institutional, state, and federal regulations, including health and safety standards, IRB, IACUC, and export control requirements (if applicable).
• Collaborate with Human Resources to oversee staffing strategies, workforce planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Supervise administrative and operational staff; provide leadership, mentorship, and training to ensure high team performance; foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with the unit’s Strategic Finance Partner to develop and manage budgets, including grants, contracts, gifts, and operational funds.
• Provide oversight and consultation in the areas of award administration, salary allocation, purchasing, investments, and financial reporting; ensure alignment with institutional policies and sponsor requirements.
• Lead efforts in financial forecasting, risk assessment, and strategic investment planning.
• Oversee procurement operations, including developing and evaluating RFPs, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and purchasing approvals.
• Coordinate space planning, infrastructure upgrades, and facilities maintenance in collaboration with the Office of Physical Plant and external contractors.
• Collaborate with the IT Strategic Partner on information technology requirements and services to support advanced research activities.
• Serve as a key liaison between the institute and faculty, internal departments, other research centers, and external stakeholders, including industry and government partners.
• Cultivate partnerships to expand the institute’s research portfolio, identify new funding opportunities, and enhance the visibility of the institute’s work.
• Support communications and outreach efforts, including conferences, symposia, marketing, and communications.
• Work with senior leadership to benchmark operational performance; develop meaningful metrics and KPIs to evaluate programmatic success.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

• Master's Degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Required Certifications: None.

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

• The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $115,860.00 - $173,844.00.
• Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure.
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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About Penn State

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.