Sr Manager,Research Operations

UT Health San Antonio; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision benefits

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

UT Health San Antonio is seeking a senior professional to manage research administration for a large, multi-division department. The role focuses on grant operations, financial planning, and pre- and post-award management, advising on financial performance and risk across sponsored programs.

The incumbent will coordinate with investigators and leadership, supervise grant and clinical trial specialists, ensure NIH/IRB compliance, and drive process improvements across the grant lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of sponsored research administration across pre- and post-award lifecycle.
• Ability to interpret funding opportunities, award terms, sponsor requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and staff supervision.
• Strong knowledge of research compliance and regulatory guidelines.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with successful outcomes.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and reporting tools.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in Research is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee post-award research administration for the department.
• Manage financial operations of multiple awards, including budgeting and procurement.
• Coordinate pre-award activities and ensure smooth handoffs.
• Monitor sponsor reporting, budget-to-actual analysis, and closeout processes.
• Ensure compliance with NIH, IRB, and related regulations.
• Serve as liaison among investigators, Office of Sponsored Programs, sponsors, and compliance offices.
• Lead recruitment and staff development for grant and trial specialists.

Skills

Sponsored research administration

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

Manages research administration for a large complex department with multiple divisions and specialties. Directly responsible for grant operations, financial planning, and pre and post-award management and implementation activities. Provides professional expertise in the complex areas of sponsored research contracts and agreements, subcontracts, clinical trial agreements, and material transfer agreements. Works closely with Principal Investigators and departmental and institutional leadership to advise on sponsored-project financial performance, research administration risks, resource planning, staffing needs, and operational issues. Will also work closely with Senior Director and Vice Chair of Research to advise on operational issues, resource planning and Research Faculty Recruitment.

Job Description

Manages research administration for a large complex department with multiple divisions and specialties. Directly responsible for grant operations, financial planning, and pre and post-award management and implementation activities. Provides professional expertise in the complex areas of sponsored research contracts and agreements, subcontracts, clinical trial agreements, and material transfer agreements. Works closely with Principal Investigators and departmental and institutional leadership to advise on sponsored-project financial performance, research administration risks, resource planning, staffing needs, and operational issues. Will also work closely with Senior Director and Vice Chair of Research to advise on operational issues, resource planning and Research Faculty Recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees post award research administration for the Long School of Medicine with multiple departments and specialties. Provides expertise in sponsored research contracts and agreements, subcontracts, clinical trial agreements, and material transfer agreements.
• Responsible for the financial operations of multiple awards, to include allocation of funds, expenditure approval and supply management. Develops and recommends cost control, planning, scheduling, and procedural changes. Supervises grant specialists and clinical trial specialists at all levels; c onducts recruitment and performance evaluations , coaching and staff development activities .
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of pre-award administration and partners with pre-award teams to ensure continuity across the grant lifecycle, facilitate effective handoffs, and address process or compliance issues..
• Oversees post-award financial administration, including monthly review and reconciliation of sponsored-project activity, budget-to-actual analysis, financial forecasting, revenue monitoring, and evaluation of available balances throughout the award period.
• Oversees departmental activities associated with award setup, ongoing award management, and closeout, ensuring that financial, administrative, reporting, personnel, subcontract, and compliance matters are identified and resolved in coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs within required timeframes.
• Oversees salary and position funding, effort commitments and certification, cost sharing, cost transfers, rebudgeting, carryforward requests, prior-approval requirements, award modifications, and other financial or administrative actions throughout the award lifecycle.
• Serves as the primary research administration liaison among Principal Investigators, departmental leadership, the Office of Sponsored Programs, sponsors, collaborators, and institutional research, finance, and compliance offices, ensuring regular and proactive communication regarding award status, financial projections, personnel funding, sponsor requirements, compliance matters, upcoming deadlines, award modifications, and closeout activities..
• Provides leadership and coordination for sponsor reporting and award closeout processes, partnering with principal investigators, departmental staff, and the Office of Sponsored Programs to facilitate the timely submission of RPPRs, sponsor progress reports, financial reconciliations, subaward closeout activities, final reports, and other required deliverables in accordance with sponsor, regulatory, and institutional requirements.
• Prepares, negotiates, and manages research budgets and contracts including invoicing for services provided and ensures payments are submitted to vendors and patients in a timely fashion.
• Monitors resource allocations and ensures that funds are used in accordance with external sponsors' policies. Resolves deficits and/or inappropriate expenses.
• Ensure s compliance with all internal and external regulatory requirements including NIH reporting requirements, IRB proposals, annual renewals, and protocol amendments.
• Serves as liaison and/or participates in regulatory audits, inspections, site visits, and/or internal reviews.
• Will fill in to oversee divisional research administration as needed and/or assigned.
• Perform s other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of sponsored research administration across the full pre- and post-award lifecycle.
• Ability to interpret funding opportunities, award terms, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including staff development, workload management, and performance management.
• Demonstrated knowledge in research compliance, operations, and guidelines. Advanced
• Demonstrated ability in managing a variety of projects with successful outcomes. Advanced
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office Word, Excel and reporting software. Advanced
• Budgeting knowledge employing strong budget and financial analysis. Advanced
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including persuasive report writing and the ability to present conclusions. Advanced.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in Research is required.

Required Skills

Eight (8) years experience in business, research or related administration is required.

About Us

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Company Culture.

Benefits Overview

UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.

Medical

UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.

Dental

Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.

Vision

Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.

Disability

Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.

FSAs

Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Retirement

Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.

Time Off

A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:

• Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
• Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
• Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.

Discounts

Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.

EEO Statement

UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.