Strategic Director of Medical Research

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Medicine, Office of Research Services (ORS), seeks a Director of Research to provide executive leadership for the department's research portfolio. You will translate strategic priorities into programs, oversee policies, and coordinate with faculty, staff, campus partners, and external stakeholders to advance the department's research mission.

The role requires building collaborations across a complex, matrixed organization, managing budgets, and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting basic science, clinical, and health services research programs.
• Understanding of academic medicine missions including education, research, clinical care, and community service.
• Proven supervisory and leadership experience.
• Ability to lead within a matrixed-management structure and build cross-organizational relationships.
• Experience with faculty relations, team building, organizational assessment, decision-making, and staff development.
• Strong operational management, organizational, financial, analytical, negotiation, and conflict-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the unit liaison and key spokesperson to internal and external stakeholder groups, representing the interests of the research program.
• Oversee departmental research events and communication strategies, including grantsmanship development.
• Lead within a complex matrix spanning UW–Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Health and VA; align requirements while advancing departmental goals.
• Oversee central research resource allocation and shared research/processing lab spaces.
• Capture, analyze, and present data to department leadership on proposal statistics, award information, and funding trends.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate research program policies and procedures to comply with regulations and policies.
• Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees including hiring and performance management.
• Develop and audit research program budgets and strategic planning initiatives.

Skills

Research administration

Strategic leadership

Budget & finance

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Matrixed leadership

Staff development

Job description

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Medicine, Office of Research Services (ORS), seeks a Director of Research to provide executive leadership for the department's research portfolio. You will translate strategic priorities into programs, oversee policies, and coordinate with faculty, staff, campus partners, and external stakeholders to advance the department's research mission.

The role requires building collaborations across a complex, matrixed organization, managing budgets, and